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HISTORY 



OF 



Fairfield County, Ohio 



AND 



Representative Citizens 



EDITED AND COMPILED 
BY 

CHARLES C. MILLER, Ph. D. 

Ex-State Commissioner of Ohio Schools 



"Study History, for it is Philosophy 
Teaching by Example" 



PUBLISHED BY 

RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO., 

F. J. RICHMOND. Pres. C R. ARNOLD. Secy and Treas 
CHICAGO. ILL. 



f As 



p^ 



CIFT 

ESTATE OF 

TMOI&AS EWINO IN 

iplKI 23, 1941 

n* liiiMIT OF SOMOUM 



S-'/i"-A 



PREFACE 



We seldom forget the dreams of our youth — they are too dear to be forgotten. 
One of the youthful dreams of the author was the writing of this history. He 
longed for the time when he might tell the story of his native county — the county 
he loves so well. That dream has been realized, and here is offered, for the con- . ., 

sideration of the public, the work, imperfect as it is, not of youthful years, but .^, j|^ ..-. 

of the calm, sober period of life. It is offered with the hope that it will give the 
reader as much real pleasure in the reading as it has brought the author in the 

writing. . , „ ■ r 

To write the history of a people, and to mterpret the full meanmg of events, 
is not an easy task. An earnest attempt has been made to record the facts, and 
to render due appreciation unto the humblest actor in the drama of this life-story. 
It is said we live in the century of achievements, and this is certainly true. But 
the Twentieth Century will produce nothing so great as its men and women. 
This volume is the history of men and women who have built a Commonwealth 
out of Nature's own material— and they builded wiser than they knew. 

No historian can write history unaided and alone, he must depend upon those 
who have made the records, or upon those who were a part of the events nar- 
rated He must consult the living and the dead— must weigh m the balance, 
impartially, the statements from whatever source, accepting or rejectmg as the 
evidence warrants. Hence the author of this History has consulted many rec- 
ords, and has been the recipient of much help from many sources. In all cases his 
requests have been honored and for this he feels especially grateful. 

It is impossible for the editor to enumerate here all to whom he feels a deep 
sense of gratitude for assistance rendered and kindly interest taken in this work. 
He is under especial obligation to Mrs. Ellen Brasee Towt, whose deep interest 
in her native county and intimate knowledge of events have made her a most 
valuable aid in the compilation of this history. She has rendered important 
service in the preparation of the chapter on the "Bench and Bar, for her knowl- 
edge of many facts there narrated came to her first hand from her distinguished 
father, Judge John Scofield Brasee. To Judge John G. Reeves Judge b. K 
Holland, Hon. James Pickering, and the late H. C. Drinkle, the editor is greatly 
indebted for direct assistance, as well as for encouragement and advice 

The editor'? earnest thanks are also due to the various county officials, super- 
intendents of schools, township clerks, officials of the lodges, and benevolent 
orders, the Grand Army of the Republic, the post masters, editors of newspapers, 
Kraemer's "Lancaster" (1901), and to the old historians Henry Howe,^ 
Hervev Scott A. A. Graham and C. M. L. Wiseman ; and to a host of personal 
friends whose names cannot, for want of space, be mentioned here, much as 
the editor would like to do so. . , 

Others, who have contributed special articles are named therewith and are 

not separately mentioned here. • , . , ui i:„„o 

This work is dedicated not only to the many distinguished and noble lives 
that have brought undying fame to the county o Fairfie d-but as well to the 
housands of men and women in the humbler walks of life, vvhose sturdy char- 
acter and noble aspirations have formed the warp aii.l vvoof of the public fabric, 
and have given to the county her stability and her worth. c C M 

Baltimore, Ohio, 
April 15, 1912. 

m 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



The Old Northwest i9 

The Value of History — Character of the Men and Women who Have 
Made History in this Section — Obligations of the Author — Fairfield 
County a Part of the Old Northwest — The Famous Ordinance of 1787 — 
State of Ohio Created — Organization of Fairfield County — The Five 
States of the Old Northivest — Their Sice, Importance and Population — 
Their Wealth and Resources — Character of the Citizenship — Ohio's Prom- 
inent Place in'the Political History of the Country — The Indians — The Or- 
dinance of 1787 Forbids Slavery and Provides for the Support of Educa- 
tion^School Sections— The State Universities— First Colony in the Wil- 
derness — Settlement at Marietta — Gen. St. Clair Appointed First Gov- 
ernor of Northivest Territory — Ohio's First County Organized— Ohio's 
First Court Opened — Establishment of Law and Order — Gen. George 
Rogers Clark; His Famous Campaign and Invaluable Services to the 
Country— Captures British Forts and Saves the Northivest Territory to 
the United States — Rewarded by Ingratitude— His Death— Conflicting 
Claims Betiveen the States to Ownership of Northivest Territory— Their 
Final Settlement— Unfair Treatment of the Indians — Black Hawk — His 
Wrongs — His Interview with President ] ackson— Disappearance of the 
Indians— The Wilderness Subdued— Character of the Pioneer Settlers— 
The Hardships Endured and Results Accomplished— The Pioneers' Most 
Enduring Monument. 

CHAPTER n 

The Famous Hocking Valley 3^ 

Great Valleys of the World— Valley of the Hocking— Its Great Fertil- 
ity— Dunmore's War— The Famous Logan Elm— First Attempt at Settle- 
ment in Ohio— General Harmar Sent Against the Miamas—St. 
Clair's Defeat— Fort Defiance— Battle of the Fallen Timber— General 
Wayne's Great I'ictorv—Siege of Ft. Meigs— Col. George Croghan and 
the' Defense of Ft. Stephensotir—End of the War of i8i2—Early Struggle 
for Possession— Wild Game an Alluring Prize— The Economic Work of 
the Beaver— The Ohio Company— France Attempts to Take Possession of 
the Ohio Valley— The French and Indian War— The Fertility, Wealth and 
Substantial Citizenship of the Great Hocking J 'alley. 



vi CONTENTS 

CHAPTER III 

Indian Occupation 48 

The Life Story of Simon Kenton — Simon Girty, the Renegade — Gen. 
Anthony Wayne, the "Chief Who Never Sleeps" — Celebrated Treaty of 
Greenville — Gen. Arthur St. Clair — St. Clair's Defeat — Teciimseh, the 
Most Gifted American Indian — Tecumseh's Death — Tecmnseh's High 
Ideals of Justice — Capt. Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohawks and Head 
of the Iroquois Confederation — Cornstack, Sachem of the Shawnees and 
King of the Northern Confederation — Geronimo, Apache Chief, the 
Worst Indian that Ever Lived — Tarhe, Chief of the Wyandots — The In- 
dian of Today — Haskell Institute — Carlisle Indian School — Logans 
Speech — Villainy of the Government's Indian Agents — Spraguc's I'ieii' of 
the Indian and His Destiny. 

. CHAPTER IV 

Dawn of Civilization in the County 82 

Organisation of the County — Its Size When Organised — Number and 
Names of Toivnships — Why Called "Fairfield" — Population — Principal 
Cities — Counties in the State and their Rate of Increase — Character of the 
Inhabitants of Fairfield County — Ebenecer Zane, the Pioneer and His 
Work — His Rezvard — His Highivay — Capt. Joseph Hunter, Founder of 
the County — First White Child Born in the County — First White Woman 
Settler — Mrs. Ruhamah Green (Mrs. Chas. Builderback) and Her 
Adventures — Charles Builderback — -Historical Paper by Gen. George San- 
derson — The Log Cabin — First Funeral — Fourth of July Celebration in 
1800 — "Johnny Appleseed" — Roster of County Officials- — Senators and 
Representatives. 

CHAPTER V 

Lancaster — The County Seat } 102 

The Beginning of Things — History of Location, Name, and Sale of 
Lots by Ebenezer Zane — First Born — First Schools and Teachers — Mail 
Routes, Post Office and Postmasters — Commercial Lancaster — Board of 
Trade — Members of Public Boards — Water Works — Fire Department — 
The Famous Lancaster Bar — A Historic Structure — Pictures on Mem- 
ory's Walls — Remarks on Hocking H. Hunter by John T. Brasee, Sr. — 
Lancaster's Distinguished Visitors — Lancaster Public Library — Munic- 
ipal Officers — List of Mayors from i8ji to ipi2 — Lancaster Country 
Club — Lancaster, the City Beautiful. 

CHAPTER VI 

Townships and Towns 126 

History of Each Township — Schools — Teachers — Churches — Noted 
Incidents and Events — Local Industries — Historical and Descriptive 
Sketches of the Various Towns and Villages. 



CONTENTS vii 



CHAPTER VII 



Economic Forces 203 

^ Geological History of the County — The Three Geologic Periods — 

Geologic Formations — The Streams and Drainage — The Soil — Botany of 
Fairfield County — Oil and Gas Fields. 

CHAPTER VIII 

Transportation 238 

Canals — The Ohio and Erie Canal — The Miami and Erie Canal, 
Formed by the Miami, the Wabash and Eric and the Miami Exten- 
sion Canals — The Ohio and Hocking Canal — Toast of Senator B. W. Car- 
lisle — Original Stockholders of Lancaster Lateral Canal — Abandonment — • 
Value Today — Roadways — Railroads of the County — Story of Their 
Development — Electric Traction Lines — Recent Development — Railroad 
and Traction Line Statistics as Relating to Lancaster. 

CHAPTER IX 

Manufactures and Commerce 261 

Busy Workshops — The Hocking Glass Co. — The Cole Glass Co. — The 
Lancaster Glass Co. — The Lancaster Window Glass Co. — The Columbus 
Plate and Windoiv Glass Co. — The Columbus Window Glass Co. — 
The Motherzvell Iron Works — Lancaster Shoe Manufactories — Total 
Daily Output, 10,000 Pairs of Shoes — The A. Get:: Shoe Co. — The Lan- 
caster Shoe Co.— The Fairfield Shoe Co.— The Ohio Shoe Co.— Hotels— 
A Classified List of Lancaster's Business Enterprises Including the 
Professions. 

CHAPTER X 

Banks and Banking ^jy 

The Bank in History — The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster — The 
Lancaster National Bank — The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Lancaster 
— Tlic Hocking Valley National Bank of Lancaster — The Farmers 
and Merchants Bank Co. of Amanda — The First National Bank of Balti- 
more — The Bank of Basil— The Millersport Bank Co.— The First Na- 
tional Bank of Bremen — The Bremen Bank Co.— The Farmers and Mer- 
chants Bank of Carroll — The Pickerington Bank — The Pleasantville Bank 
— The Rushville Banking Co.— The Bank of Sugar Grove— Bank "Notes." 

CHAPTER XI 

Bench and Bar 285 

-V The Majesty of the Law—Iustice Gray — Wendell Phillips and Rufus 

Choate — Lawyers of "Ye Olden Times," Their Fun and Their Work — The 
Giants of the Lancaster Bar— None Greater— Sketches of Laivyers and 
Judges — A Long List of Highly Educated and Brilliant Men, Past and 
Present — Fairfield County Juvenile Court. 



viii CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XII 

The Medical Profession 303 

A' Brief History of Medicine — Doctors of the Old School — Med- 
ical History of Fairfield County (by Dr. H. M. Hacclton) — Sketches of 
Drs. J. H. Goss, Geo. W. Boerstler, Tom 0. Edwards. Michael Effinger, 
F. L. Flowers, P. M. Wagenhals, Hervey Scott — List of the Physicians and 
Surgeons in the County — The Dentists — The Park Street Hospital — The 
Lancaster Medical Research Club. 

CHAPTER XHI 

Religious Development 318 

Sketches of the Various Churches and Religious Societies in Lancaster 
— The Lancaster Camp Meeting and Assembly — Rev. Geo. H. Leonard, D. 
D. — Tullius Clinton O'Kane. 

CHAPTER XIV 

Education 332 

The Lancaster Public Schools — The Old Greenfield Academy — Fair- 
field Union Academy — Crawfis Institute — Boys' Industrial School — John 
C. Hite — Torvnship and l^illage Teachers of Fairfield County — Boxtvell— 
Patterson Graduates — Then and Now (Log and Red Schoolhouse Times) 
— The Old Spelling School — Enoch Barry Seitc — Geo. IV. Welsh — W. 
C. Brashares — Lancaster Literary Society — Historians of Fairfield Countv. 

CHAPTER XV 

Public Institutions and Public Buildings 366 

The Court Houses — City Hall — County Infirmary and Poor Farm — 
Fairfield County Children's Home — The County Fair — Old Cit\ Burial 
Ground, with List of Names as Recorded on Gravestones — Telephones 
and Telegraph. 

CHAPTER XVI 

Fraternal and Benevolent Societies 385 

Masonry and its Various Branches and Lodges in Lancaster — The In- 
dependent Order of Odd Felloivs — The Knights of Pythias — The Elks — 
The Eagles — Daughters of the American Revolution — Ladies Auxiliary 
Sons of Veterans — Etc. 

CHAPTER XVII 

Military History of the County 397 

The County's Military Record — Rez'olutionary Soldiers Buried in 
Fairfield County — The County in the War of i8i2-i~i—The Mexican War 



CONTENTS ix 

— Fairfield County in the Civil War — Lancaster in the War — Death of 
Maj. H. H. Giesy — The Grand Army of the Republic — Woman's Relief 
Corps — Sons of Veterans — The Spanish- American War — Muster Roll of 
Co. F, 7th Regt. Inf., O. N. G. 

CHAPTER XVIII 

The Press 413 

The Power of the Press — The Ohio Eagle — "Items of Ye Olden Time" 
— The Lancaster Gazette — The Democrat — The Messenger — Fairfield 
Pickaway News and The Amanda Herald. 

CHAPTER XIX 

Great Lives and Noted Events 418 

^ Group I — Thomas Ewing, Sr. — Hugh Boyle Ewing — Gen. Thomas 

Ewing, Jr. — Charles R. Sherman — General Sherman — Hon. John Sher- 
man — John Trafford Brasee — John Scofield Brasee — Hon. Chas. D. 
Martin — Gov. William Medill. 

Group II — The Sanderson Family — Elizabeth Sherman Reese — Capt. 
A. R. Keller — Hon. Henry J. Booth — Dr. Henry C. Eyman — Nettie 
Kagay Gravett — Hon. John G. Reeves (see index) — Mount Pleasant. 

CHAPTER XX 

Conclusion 439 

Representative Citizens 443 



INDEX 



Acton, Frank M 773 

Adams, David 815 

Aldenderf er, Samuel 663 

AJford, W. F 559 

Alfred, Geo. W 296 

Alspaeh, Henry E 534 

Alspaugh, Irvin E 771 

Alt, Dr. Chas. M 146 

Alt, D. "W 583 

Amspaugh, John D 794 

Andregg, John 582 

Andrews, C. W 766 

Aneshensley, Henry F 686 

"Appleseed," Johnny 93 

Armstrong, Judson 646 

Armstrong, Wilber E 653 

Arnold, Absalom J 565 

Ashbaugh, John J 741 

Ashton, Dr. Hanley 146 

Ashton, Dr. H. C 765 

Atkinson, Dr. Frank P 544 

Axline, Clark Gibson 800 

Axline, Dr. John H 800 

Baker, Clement V 480 

Barr, Andrew (pioneer) 126 

Barr, E. V 617 

Barr, George 577 

Barr, Thomas J 476 

Barrow, Dr. C. A 139 

Baxter, Samuel A 292 

Beals, Chas. 299 

Beatty, John E 796 

Beek, Harry K 297 

Beecher, Gen 115 

Beeeher, Gen. Philoman 289 

Beery, Charles E 697 

Beery, Edward T 633 

Beery, Frank P 642 

Beery, Frank S 767 

Beery, Dr. George W 455 

Belt, H. Clinton 300 

Belt, G. W .' 573 

Benadum, Philip F 681 



Benidum, Charles C 467 

Bennett, L. S 623 

Berry, Aaron 650 

Berry, Thomas J 650 

Biddle, Horace P 291 

Bigerton, G 773 

Black Hawk, Chief 27 

Black, John W 804 

Black, Samuel W 601 

Blue, Charles E 704 

Boal, Archibald 819 

Boerstler, George W., M. B 450 

Boerstler, Dr. George W 795 

Bohrer, J. B 562 

Bolender, William 668 

Bone, Dr. P. S 675 

Booth, Henry J 300 

Booth, Hon. Henry J 434 

Bope, James W 296 

Bope, William W 495 

Borland, Charles 292 

Bosch, Fred G 567 

Boyer, Irvin 510 

Bradford, Harry 296 

Brandt, C. C 700 

Brandt, Charles S 680 

Brant, Capt. Joseph 62 

Brasee, Charles Dickinson 794 

Brasee, John S 443 

Brasee, John Traflford 783 

Brasee, John Trafford, Jr 793 

Brasee, Morton E 291 

Brashares, W. C 363 

Bright, Levi 595 

Brooke, Jesse 451 

Brown, Dr. Archie A 136 

Brown, Dr. C. W 599 

Brown, Dr. H. A 136 

Brown, Dr. Howard A 670 

Brown, I. B 796 

Buchanan, James W 574 

Buchanan, Stephen P 574 

BuUderback, Chas 86 

Burgner, M. L 731 

Burton, Michael 807 



XI 



INDEX 



Busby, Charles G 484 

Busby, Capt. John 406 

Calvert, John M 657 

Campbell, J. F 632 

Campbell, Samuel 638 

Carlisle, Basil 296 

Carnes, F. S 50" 

Carnes, I. N 625 

Carpenter Family, The (pioneers) 129 

Carpenter, Samuel (Berne twp. pioneer) . .128 

Cartmell, Edsou B 295 

Cassidy, Henry A 758 

Chapman, John (Johnny Appleseed) 93 

Chief, Chief 69 

Choate, Euf us 286 

Christy, Charles H 684 

Church, David R 731 

Clark, David 626 

Clark, Gen. Geo. Rogers 22 

Clarke, R. M 292 

Clay, Henry 121 

Claypool, Jacob 515 

Claypool, James B 643 

Clayton, Wilber F 739 

Clover, David 296 

Clump, Benjamin D 753 

Coates, Samuel (pioneer) 87 

Coffman, Benjamin F 501 

Coffman, Lafayette W 449 

Connell, John M 292 

Conrad, Owen W 654 

Conrad, Rufus J 775 

Cook, William (pioneer) 129 

Coolidge, Rev. Sherman (Des-Che-Wah) . . 77 

Cornstalk, Chief 64 

Converse, James (pioneer) 89 

Courtright, A. V 609 

Courtright, Charles 296 

Courtright, Dr. Geo. S 584 

Courtright, Jacob 649 

Courtright, Silas W 539 

Courtright, Thomas H 635 

Courtright, Thurman T 499 

Oravpfis, John 346 

Creed, John 284 

Creed, John M 291 

Creed, WilUara 290 

Creighton, William 291 

Cresap, Capt 74 

Crider, David 607 

Crist, Simon P 624 

Crites, David 810 

Crites, Eugene M. 709 

Crites, Levi 669 

Crites, Lewis F 669 



Croghan, Col. Geo 42 

Crosby, John J 296 

Crumley, Clarence M 682 

Crumley, Conrad 746 

Crumley, Daniel 746 

Crumley, Joshua 679 

Crumley, Philip M 625 

Cunningham, David E 676 

Cunningham, Geo. Strode 300 

Dade, William 292 

Darfus, George 471 

Darling, Jacob T 636 

Daugherty, Michael A 291, 300 

Davidson, William 485 

Davidson, WiUiam 501 

Davidson, WiUiam A 298 

Defenbaugh, Emmett R 521 

Deffenbaugh, James W 299 

Detwiler, Henry C ....-.• 569 

De Witt, Gov Clinton, 118 

Dick, William M 600 

Dilger, John 11 ■. 720 

Dilger, Mathias J 720 

Dillon, Edward B 296 

Dolson, Ben R 298 

Dolson, Thomas H 448 

Doner, Allen 671 

Doner, Nathaniel 667 

Doty, O. T 599 

Drinkle, Charles 291 

Drinkle, Hon. Henry C 719 

Driver, Dr. O. P 188, 655 

Driver, Mrs. Emma 655 

Drumm, Henry D 525 

Dum, Prof. W. J 344 

Duncan, James W 770 

Dunmore, Lord 34 

Durbin, G. H 810 

Eekert, Henry S 612 

Edwards, Dr. Tom 311 

Edwards, Dr. T. 115 

Effinger, Dr. Michael 312 

Elder, Benjamin F 724 

Elder, Harailtom 511 

EUinger, Andrew 462 

Erick, Thomas E 733 

Ernst, Jacob 702 

Eversole, A. Reese 296 

E wing, George 300 

Ewing, Hon. George 776 

Ewing, Hugh 297 

Ewing, Hugh Boyle 419 

Ewing, John G 297 

Ewing, Philomen 297 



INDEX 



XIII 



Ewing, Thomas 290,418 

Ewing, Gen. Thomas 296 

Ewing, Gen. Thomas Jr 419 

Ewing, Thomas H 405 

Eyman, Dr. Henry C 435 

Farrell, James 296 

Fast, Edson B 529 

Fauble, Daniel 702 

Fauble, Henry H 778 

Fenstermaker, George W 505 

Fenstermaker, William E 590 

Fetters, William 460 

Finkbone, Isaac W 650 

Fisher, Samuel L 453 

Flowers, Dr. F. L 312 

Foglesong, Peter 606 

Foor, Sanford '. 620 

Fosnaugh, Israel 634 

Frasure, George W 660 

Freed, Prof. A 342 

F^eisner, Allen J 762 

Friend, Banner E 659 

Friend, Joachum W 669 

Friend, Orrin 685 

Fritler, Kinnis 291 

Fritz, L. H 588 

Fromm, George W 49S 

Fultz. J. H 683 

Garaghty, John 297 

Gearhart, George J 463 

Gebhardt, Vernon R 560 

Geiger, Henry W 728 

Geisey, Emanuel 291 

Geisey, H. H 291 

G<?rlach, Maj. F. C 347 

Geronimo, Chief 65 

Getz, Capt. Albert 461 

Getz, Ferdinand W 792 

Gibbony, John T 490 

Giesy, George W 814 

Giesy, Maj. H. H 407 

Gill, Charles D 523 

Gill, Rex M 573 

Girty, Simon 53 

Gliek, Charles 779 

Goldcamp, Joseph H 718 

Good, Samuel T 649 

Goss, Abraham D 473 

Goss, Dr. J. H 310 

Goss, Samuel 592 

Graffis, Clement • 808 

Graffis Family, The 808 

Graham, A. A 365 

Gravett, Mrs. Nettie K 436 



Graybill, Hon. John 140 

Green, Allen 105 

Green, Mrs. Ruhamah (Builderback) 84 

Green, William (pioneer) 90 

Gregg, James M 552 

Griffiths, George S 547 

Grove, John 605 

Groves, Prof. Allen D 662 

Grove, Otto 631 

Gruber, Rev. J. J 167 

Guno/, Asher 520 

Gundy, Isaac 536 

Gundy, Joseph P 510 

Guthrie, Dr. Austin L 497 

Guyton, L. V 703 

Guyton, William 768 

Haekett, William 297 

Hamilton, Dr. C. H 131 

Hampson, Fred A 454 

Hampson, James 772 

Hangs, George 643 

Harman, John 563 

Harner, H. B 162 

Harper, Prof. J. C 343 

Hart, Jesse B 297 

Hartman, George 711 

Hartman, John 645 

Hartman, William F 580 

Hartranf t, Jacob 817 

Haver, John F 572 

Hay, Leander 550 

Hazelton, Dr. Henson M 474 

Hedges, Frank'S 801 

Heister, Albert 296 

Heister, E. M 764 

Hengst, John K 749 

Henricks, David 725 

Henry, John K 301 

Hershberger, Dr. Joseph P 468 

Hewetson, Dr. Joseph E 550 

Hewetson, Dr. Peter 546 

Hickle. Lyman 820 

Hine, Reuben S 525 

Hite, Emanuel 530 

Hite, Jacob 705 

Hite, Hon. John 352 

Hite, John J 296 

Hite, Lemuel 705 

Hizcy, Tazwell 561 

Hoflfer, Charles F 683 

Hoffman, Albert 757 

Hoffman, John C 667 

Holland. Hon. Elijah F 723 

Holliilay, Joseph S 814 

Holliday, William C 631 



XIV 



INDEX 



Holmes, Hon. James A 524 

Holmes, Wesley 523 

Hood, Charles G 291 

Horn, Frederick 637 

Hoskins, C. D 696 

Hosier, John 754 

House, H. A 774 

Howe, Henry 365 

Hoy, Elbiu J 653 

Hoy, Isaac 6 680 

Hoy, William 1 782 

Huber, Jacob T 605 

Huff, Theodore G 644 

Huffley, Eev. James 167 

Hufford, Dr. J. T 686 

Hummell, Dr. H. 1 145 

Hunt, Dr. F. 131 

Hunter, Edward 291 

Hunter, Hocking H 290 

Hunter, John 291 

Hunter, Capt. Joseph (pioneer) 86,88 

Hunter, Hocking H 105,116 

Huston, A. E 751 

Huston, Alexander E 701 

Huston, William 592 

Hutchins, John A 729 

Irick, James A 730 

Irvin, William W 289 

Irwin, W. W 115 

Jackson, Gen. Andrew 121 

Jackson, J. Madison 754 

Jackson, William (pioneer) 129 

Johnson, Henry 742 

Johnston, J. J 610 

Johnston, Ross F 591 

Jones, Thomas 756 

Joos, Joseph 641 

Julian, Charles 794 

Kefauver, Dr. Charles A 780 

Keiser, John 474 

Keller, A. T 555 

Keller, Capt. A. B 433 

Keller, Christian 613 

Keller, John 805 

Keller, W. H 687 

Kemmerer, Philip J. 497 

Kemp, William T 509 

Kendig, Rev. Adam C 166 

Kenton, Simon 48, 50 

Kern, Frank E 612 

Kiefaber, Alexander B 817 

King, David 617 

King, Frederick W 671 



King, Henry 706 

Kirn, Edward G 588 

Kistler, EUjah 805 

Kistler, Samuel 296 

Knecht, Lewis J 743 

Knode, David M 500 

Knode, Ozias M 487 

Koontz, James , 591 

Kraner, Erasmus D 622 

Kraner, Frank JI 819 

Kull, Edward W 727 

KuU, Henry 718 

Kumler, George W 536 

Kunkler, John W 780 

Lamb Bros. (Baltimore, O.) 147 

Lamb, Charles E 697 

Lamb, Hon. George W 477 

Lamb, Jacob 697 

Lantz, Dr. James M 820 

Larue, Charles M 620 

Laver, J. A 679 

Leathers, Frederick (pioneer) i..l26 

Leekron, Christian 608 

Leffler, David H 488 

Leith, Aubrey E 756 

Leonard, Eev. G. H., D. D 166 

Leonard Family, The 173 

Leonard, Daniel 173 

Leonard, Henry 173 

Leonard, John 174 

Leonard, Sebastian 175 

Leonard, Rev. Geo. H 175 

Littrell, John H 299 

Logan, Chief 35, 50, 74 

McAuliffe, Stephen J 764 

McCandlish, W. C 688 

McCleery, A. R 589 

McCleery, Charles W 298 

McCleery, W. C 589 

MeClenaghan, William T 486 

McCormack, John D 296 

McCoy, Claudius T 297 

McCuUough, E. B 758 

McKenzie, Dr. Charles D 556 

MeXeil, John B 295 

McVeigh, Alfred 295 

McVeigh, A. H 618 

Macklin, George W 762 

Macklin, Perry 600 

Martin, Charles D 688 

Martin, George . . . • 295 

Martin, John D 291 

Martin, John W 657 

Martin, K T 641 



INDEX 



XV 



Matheny, J. S 610 

Matt, George 465 

Mattingly, Kev. Jerome B 508 

Mauger, Mathias V v 597 

Mauger, Peter 598 

Mayme, Dr. W. F., and E. B. history 161 

Mayo Bros., The 306 

Medill, William 115,290 

MediU, Gov. WUliam 431 

Meeker, Lemuel H 778 

Meriele, Frederick 726 

Mertz, John 648 

Merwin, Elijah B 289 

Meyers, Mahlon 574 

Meyers, William A 453 

Miesse, M. M 675 

Miesse, Richard 548 

Miller, Alonzo E 768 

Miller, A. L 519 

Miller, Charles C, Ph. D 513 

Miller, Enos Strawn 734 

MiUer, Frank P 505 

Miller, George C 490 

Miller, Geo. C 299 

Miller, James 297 

Miller, John H 606 

Miller, Joshua 664 

Miller, L. Alonzo 714 

Miner, Dr. E. L 133 

Mithotf, Augustus W 298 

Mondhank, Albert 471 

Mondhank, Frederick 674 

Mondhank, Dr. Reuben W 522 

Moore, Levi (pioneer) S9 

Moss, George W 584 

Mount Pleasant 437 

Mover, Thomas 781 

Mur-k, Perry A 732 

Murphy, Albert D 549 

Musser, Abraham 519 

Musser, Mrs. Barbara 175 

Musser, Andrew J 520 

Myers, A. M 602 

Myers, Olaf E 299 

Neff, .T. M 559 

Neil, William 254 

Nessley, Charles J 598 

Nessley , George W 598 

Xiekum, ililton J 530 

Noble Family, The 128 

Nothacker, Wilbur D 627 

Nye, William H 766 

O'Gara, William F 371 

O'Kane, Tullius C 330 



Oberdorfer, John 661 

Osbourne, W. R 763 

Oyler, S. M 619 

C^ler, William H 637 

Palmer, M. H, D. V. S 571 

Parido, Hon. Charles W 475 

Parri.sh, Alonzo 519 

Patrick, Charles A 750 

Paul, Francis M 568 

Paul, John 568 

Pence, Rev. John 166 

Peters, Alvin E 551 

Pickering, Charles C 299 

Pickering, David H 716 

Pickering Family 190 

Pickering, Jacob 716 

Pickering, James 190 

Pickering, James T 566 

Pitcher, Rudolph (pioneer) 265 

Plum, Dr. Henry R 526 

Pokagon, Simon 77 

Raab, Casper 729 

Radcliflfe, Chas. A 298 

Radebaugh Family, The 180 

Rariek, John C 459 

Ray, Prof. E. E 750 

Reese, Mary Elizabeth 433 

Reese, William J 290 

Reeves, John G 299 

Reeves, Hon. John G 770 

Reichelderf er, Francis 755 

Reichelderf er, James 755 

Reinmund, Henry J 115 

Rienraund, Rev. J. F 333 

Ricketts, Capt. Ezra 406 

Ridenour, Daniel 486 

Riegel, Isaac 493 

Roley, Jacob 360 

Roller, Dr. Edward B 636 

Roller, Dr. George W 500 

Roller, Herman C 569 

Rowlee, Clarence M 531 

Rowles, William W 726 

Ruble, Charles E 300 

Ruble, George W 611 

Ruff, Frederick 777 

Ruff, John G 779 

Ruffner, Caleb A 534 

Ruhl, Rev. .John 166 

Runkle, George 713 

Eutter, Edward C 298 

Butter, Eobert 479 

Sager, W. B 761 



INDEX 



Samson, Dr. Harvey M... 489 

Samson, W. Stanley, M. D 765 

Sanderson Family, The 431 

Sands, Miles 532 

Schirm, James 582 

Schisler, William H 654 

Sehleich, Newton 292, 405 

Schlosser, Eev. Jesse 166 

Sfhmelzer, John N 766 

Sehmelzer, Philip 761 

Scholl, H. M 558 

Schopp, James E 516 

Sehultz, William A 296 

Scofield, Elnathan 802 

Scott, Dr. Hervey 316, 365 

Sears, Capt. John 406 

Seifert, B. F 623 

Seitz, Enoch Berry 361 

Sexauer, Hon. C. H 459 

Shaeffer, Chas. F 297 

Shaeffer, Frank A 614 

Shaffer, Isaac D 646 

Shaflfer, William H 449 

Shallenberger, Jonas 295 

Shaw, Edson Lee 289 

Shaw, Virgil E 296 

Shell, Brooks E 484 

Sherburn, William F 622 

Sherman, Charles Robert 290, 421 

Sherman, Hon. John 424 

Sherman, Gen. W. T 422 

Sherriek, Franklin P 499 

Showalter, Henry W 521 

Shreyer, George 578 

Shreyer, Jacob 578 

Shuman, Joseph D 466 

Shupe, Milton 645 

Shupe, Nelson F 664 

Shupe, Samuel 659 

Silbaugh, Dr. John J 535 

Silbaugh, Leroy G 300 

Silliman, Judge 291 

Sites. David 298 

Sites, Emanuel 700 

Sites, George W 700 

Sites, Joseph S 298 

Sitterley, William E 699 

Slaughter, Robert F 115, 291 

Slough, Tallman 297 

Smallwood, John 498 

Smith, A. M 714 

Smith, Alexander M 712 

Smith, Benjamin 291 

Smith, Charles M 681 

Smith, Frank W. . . '. 648 

Smith, Henry C 478 



Smith, Henry D ^ 462 

Smith, H. S 674 

Smith, James 291 

Smith, Samuel C 712 

Smith, Owen 806 

Snider, David 716 

Snider, Samuel F._ 774 

Snider, Van A 299 

Snider, Col. Van A 776 

Snoke, George 638 

Snyder, Hon. B. F 769 

Snyder, Louis J 456 

Snyder, Raymond R 588 

Soliday, Michael C 502 

Spangler, Thomas M 698 

Sparks, Dr. Edward P 595 

Sperry, Dr. P. P 146 

Stafford, Jacob A 405 

Staker, George A 807 

Stalter, David 292 

Stanberry, Hon. Henry 286, 290 

St. Clair, Gen 36,57 

Steinman, Geo. W 295 

Stemen, I. N. 613 

Stemen, William W 601 

Steward, Charles 621 

Steward, Lewis W 621 

Stewart, J. W 531 

Stineheomb, .Tames W 292 

St. Mary 's CathoUc Church 325 

Stout, N. F 472 

Strayer, Dr. Frank P 752 

Strickler, C. M 300 

Strickler, Harry E 544 

Strode, George H 749 

Struckman, John 802 

Stuart, W. B 658 

Stuart, Zebulon 800 

Stukey, Dr. Franklin P 513 

Swan, John B., V. S 661 

Sweyer, John 128 

Sweyer, Samuel 128 

Swisher, Cary A 545 

Swope, Felix 709 

Swope, S. B 709 

Tallmadge, Darius 787 

Tallmadgc, Theo. Wood 788 

Tarhe, Cliief 69, 88 

Taylor, Dr. Frank G 715 

Taylor, George W 465 

Taylor, J. A 698 

Taylor, J. Frank 698 

Taylor, Jesse Jr 673 

Taylor, MUton P 673 

. Taylor, Dr. Walter B 715 



INDEX 



XVll 



Tecumseh, Chief 58 

Teele, Edward D 296 

Thomas, Allen 656 

Thompson, William K 760 

Tidil, Daniel B 789 

Tobin, James A 300 

Trimmer, Grandville M 749 

True, John W 557 

Turner, Hon. A. F 596 

Turner, George E 647 

Turner, P. D 589 

Tussing, John V 570 

Tuthill, John C 115 

Valentine, Prof. Clytus E 763 

Vogt, Rev. John 166 

Van Trump, Col 292 

Vorys, Arthur 1 295 

Wagner, Charles M 628 

Wagenhals, Dr. P. M 313 

Wagner, John Jacob 172 

Wagner, Prof. J. J 157 

Walter, Prof. William 608 

Warner, William S 813 

Watson, William H 472 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony 87, 55 

Weaver, Hon. James M 580 

Webster, Daniel 118 

Weiser, Calvin W 628 

Weiser, G. B 626 

Weist, E. 147 

Welker, J. H 533 

Welsh, George W 333, 362 

Wetzler, Charles 414 



Wetzler, Edward 414 

Wetzler, Thomas 414 

Whiley, Charle-s B 301 

White, Alexander 289 

White, John W 567 

White, William 489 

Whitman, Henry C 291 

White, Thomas U 291 

Whittus, Dr. John W 146 

Wiekoflf, William M 790 

Wilbert, Jacob 511 

Wildermuth, Milton D 724 

Williams, Dr. John 333, 336 

Winegardner, Amos J 781 

Winegardner, Jefferson J 526 

Wise, William T 292 

Wiseman, C. M. L 365 

Work, Harry D 495 

Wooster, George P 556 

Wright, John M 287, 295 

Wright, Silas H 295 

Wright, Spencer J 284 

Wright, Thomas W 602 

Wyman, Washington 744 

Yeager, John 555 

Yencer, Joseph 579 

Young, David 634 

Young, H. E 581 

Young, H. W 672 

Zane, Ebenezer 84,102 

Zerbe, Rev. H. K 166 

Zink, George H 799 

Zollinger, John L 717 

Zollinger, William E 733 




CHARLES C. MILLER 



History of Fairfield County 



CHAPTER I 

THE OLD NORTHWEST 

The Value of History — Character of the Men and Women who Have Made History in this 
Section — Obligations of the Author — Fair Held County a Part of the Old Northwest — The 
Famous Ordinance of 1787 — State of Ohio Created — Organization of Fairfteld County — 
The Five States of the Old Northwest — Their Sice, Importance and Population — Their 
Wealth and Resources — Character of the Citizenship — Ohio's Prominent Place in the 
Political History of the Country — The Indians — The Ordinance of 1787 Forbids Slavery 
and Provides for the Support of Education — School Sections — The State Universities — 
First Colony in the Wilderness — Settlement of Marietta — Gen. St. Clair Appointed First 
Governor of Northwest Territory — Ohio' s First County Organized — Ohio's First Court 
Opened — Establishment of Law and Order — Gen. George Rogers Clark; his Famous 
Campaign and Invaluable Services to the Country — Captures British Forts and Saves the 
Northwest Territory to the United States — Rczvarded by Ingratitude — His Death — 
Conflicting Claims Betzueen the States to Ownership of Northzvcst Territory — Their Final 
Settlement — Unfair Treatment of the Indians — Black Hazvk — His Wrongs — His Inter- 
view with President Jackson—Disappearance of the Indians — The Wilderness Subdued — 
Character of the Pioneer Settlers — The Hardships Endured and Results Accomplished — 
The Pioneer's Most Enduring Monument. 

Of all the departments of learning, none fields of golden grain and gardens of roses; 

bring greater value to the human mind, and and still greater is the wonder when we look 

to human action, than history. upon the smoking chimneys and whirling 

Clio, the muse of history, with her open spindles of our great manufacturing centers, 

roll, proclaims to all the world the record of builded by the hand of man upon the plains 

what man has done — and that constitutes his- and in the valleys. To those plains and val- 

tory. From those records we judge the past leys came the best blood of many nations from 

and guide our future. To be well read in his- across the sea to hew out homes and to rear a 

tory is a valuable attainment for any one, for race more intellectual and more enterprising 

all the world loves the story of man. We than their forefathers. From these homes 

teach the virtues and commend the rugged thus founded all over the great Northwest, 

strength of the pioneer; we admire the bra- and especially here in Fairfield county, came 

very and hardib >d of the settlers of the grim heroic men and virtuous women whose influ- 

old forests, and we are amazed at the rapidity ence helped to build the nation, 
with which those forests are transformed into The prevailing influence in man's original 

19 



20 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUXTY 



nature has long been a subject of controversy 
among psychologists and scientists — whether 
that influence is due to heredity or environ- 
ment, or to both. The lives of the inhabitants 
of this great county furnish undoubted exam- 
ples of each of these influences — for such was 
the blood of the settlers and their descendants 
that no matter what their environment, great 
men and women were produced. 

While climate and soil and sun aided in the 
development of these people, there are some 
of Fairfield's sons so great that, like Luther 
and Mohammed and Napoleon, they cannot 
be explained as a product of the times. They 
belong to the great souls — the "hero" class of 
Emerson and Carlyle. 

History should be written in such a crisp, 
flowing narrative style as to gracefully trans- 
late historic facts into the romance of a na- 
tion, and the historian who would gain an au- 
dience must thus write — and with ease, facil- 
ity and skill. It shall be the aim of the author 
of these pages to so present the facts as he 
finds them as to be both interesting and useful. 
Fairfield County, Ohio, formed a part of 
the Old Northwest. By the celebrated Ordi- 
nance of 1787 the territory "northwest of the 
river Ohio" was to be divided into not less 
than three nor more than five sections- or 
states. By the same law it was provided that 
"whenever any of the said states shall have 
sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such 
state shall be admitted, by its delegates, into 
the Congress of the United States, on equal 
footing with the original states, in all respects 
whatever; and shall be at liberty to form a 
permanent constitution and state govern- 
ment." (Article V, Ordinance of 1787.) 

Acting under this provision of our organic 
law, Ohio became a state, by act of Congress. 
February 19, 1803, and Fairfield County, as 
part of Ohio, entered upon her history-making 



career, although the county had been organ- 
ized in 1800, by proclamation of Territorial 
Governor, General Arthur St. Clair. 

There were five states carved out of the 
Old Northwest— Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan and Wisconsin — making a total 
area of 250,000 square miles. At the time 
of the passage of the Ordinance of 1787 it is 
probable that there were not more than 6o,cx)0 
"free inhabitants" in the entire five states. 
Today there are more than seventeen millions. 
In this section — the Old Northwest — we find 
now the largest lakes, joined by silvery rivers 
and canals, the richest mine deposits, and the 
most fertile soil in North America, if not in 
the world. Here are the longest rivers — and 
upon their banks sit in pride and majesty, the 
noble cities from whose factories and mills 
come the clothing and food that help to feed 
and to protect the hungry millions of earth. 

The citizenship of this section is among the 
most enlightened and progressive, Ohio alone 
having furnished seven Presidents of the 
United States, one Vice-President, three 
Presidents of the Senate, one Speaker of the 
House, two Chief Justices, five Associate 
Judges and 22 Cabinet Officers. In addition 
there is a long list of distinguished Senators, 
Representatives, inventors, authors and schol- 
ars; likewise, 

"In army and navy our quota is full 
And you can on our fighting rely." 

For many years after the coming of the 
white men, the American Indians — the orig- 
inal owners of the soil — made life a burden 
for these white men, who were often forced 
to bare their breasts upon "upland glade or 
glen" to the tomahawk, the poisoned arrow 
and the faggot. The soil was redeemed for 
the white men by the veterans of three wars. 
It was reddened by the blood of the Indian, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



21 



the Frencli, tlie English and the American. 
It was consecrated by the death of many a 
noble son. 

But the great Ordinance did more than to 
provide for the admission of states — it had 
strong provisions in regard to slavery and ed- 
ucation. "There shall be neither slavery nor 
involuntary servitude in said territory, other- 
wise than in the punishment of crimes 
whereof the party shall have been duly con- 
victed." No such expression had yet been 
seen in any document ; and this is all the more 
wonderful and noble, when we recall the fact 
tiiat, at that time, all the original states had 
slaves. From this can be traced the liberty- 
loving sentiment ever afterward found in the 
people of the Northwest. But this is not all. 
The great document resounded throughout 
the wilderness, as with a Titan's voice, the 
cause of religion and education. "Religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to 
good government and the happiness of man- 
kind, schools and the means of education shall 
forever be encouraged." 

The sixteenth section of every township of 
36 sections was set aside for maintenance of 
common schools in each of these five States. 
This generous grant on the part of the gen- 
eral government gave to these five States five 
million acres. From the sale of this land the 
schools have realized more than twenty mil- 
lion dollars. The spirit of this section of the 
Ordinance spread to all the Western States 
and they now have magnificent school funds. 
The ordinance also gave to each State one 
township entire for the maintenance of a 
university. In Ohio this township is located 
in Athens county, and thus grand old Ohio 
University, at Athens originated and is, in 
part, sustained today. It is the oldest univer- 
sity west of the Allegheny Mountains. Thus 
was the fund for education in Fairfield 



County begun, and it has been generously in- 
creased by liberal donation^ from the State 
and from private funds. In 1905 the entire 
United States expended $307,000,000 for ele- 
mentary and secondary schools alone. 

FIRST COLONY IN THE WILDERNESS 

In 1787 Rev. Manasseh Cutler led a band 
of 48 intrepid pioneers into the wilderness, 
and they forme<l the first colony or settle- 
ment in what is now Ohio, at Marietta, April 
7, 1788. They named their camp "Marietta" 
after the beautiful French Queen, Marie An- 
toinette. Before the first year had passed 
Marietta had 132 men and 15 families. The 
first Fourth of July, 1788, was right royally 
celebrated in this new home of liberty. On 
the 15th of that month, the first Governor of 
the Northwest Territory, Gen. Arthur St. 
Clair, arrived and took charge of affairs. He 
was well received by the people and most 
heartily supported by tliem. Governor St. 
Clair soon began the work of organization 
and he laid out Ohio's first county (1788), 
which embraced about all of the eastern half 
of Ohio, and which he named Washington 
County. A sheriff, judges and other officers 
were appointed, and on Campus Martins, the 
first court in Ohio was opened in the block 
house. 

This was a great event, for on that day law 
and order began in the wilderness. The be- 
ginnings of great things are always of great 
interest, and this interest grows with each 
decade. This beginning of established law 
was announced from the door of the log cabin 
court house, on Campus Martius. in the fall 
of 1788, by the newly appointed sheriff in 
these words : "Oyez ! Oyez ! .\ court is now 
opened for the administration of even-handed 
justice, to the poor and to the rich, to the 
guilty and to the innocent, without respect of 



22 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



persons; none to be punished without trial by 
their peers, and fhen in pursuance of the laws 
and evidence in the case." From this first 
county of Ohio, the number has grown to 88, 
and courts of justice are established in each 
county. 

GEN. GEORGE ROGERS CL.\RK 

The history of the Old Northwest cannot 
be told without relating the great work of 
George Rogers Clark. It would really be the 
play of "Hamlet" with Hamlet omitted. He 
was born in Virginia in 1752, and was a 
brother of Capt. William Clark, whose great 
journey of 8,000 miles into the Oregon coun- 
try, 1804-06, in company with Capt. Meri- 
wether Lewis, a grateful nation in the year 
(1905) commemorated by a World's Fair at 
Portland, Oregon. George Rogers Clark was 
made a brigadier general in 1781, but is gen- 
erally known in history, especially during the 
campaign in the Old Northwest, as Colonel 
Clark. He was only 20 years old when he 
plunged into the unbroken wilderness of Ohio, 
as a soldier and surveyor of Lord Dunmore's 
expedition. He was as fine a rifleman as 
ever entered a forest, and he was skilled in 
all the knowledge of woodcraft. As a sol- 
^ dier he was brave and manly; as a comman- 
der he was sagacious, patient and fearless- 
The Indians respected and feared him alike, 
and gave him and his men the name of "The 
Long Knives." 

In 1775, at the close of Dunmore's War, 
Clark went to Kentucky, where he assisted 
Daniel Boone to fight Indians and to build a 
new commonwealth in the wilderness. On his 
return to his old home in Virginia he learned 
that the War for Liberty had actually begun 
between the Colonies and England — the 
mother country. One year later we again find 
him in Kentucky, aiding the settlers on the 



border in many ways. He is chosen by them 
to command the rude militia of this country, 
and it proved a wise choice. Every settle- 
ment was in constant danger of attack by the 
bloodthirsty Indians, and Clark knew full well 
how to resist them. But Virginia was claim- 
ing ownership of this country of Kentucky — 
"the dark and bloody ground" — and the 
hardy settlers thought they should have some 
protection from Virginia. 

At last two delegates, Clark being one, were 
chosen to go to Virginia and see the Gover- 
nor — then the noted Patrick Henry — and very 
forcefully showed him their needs and the ne- 
cessity of immediate action. They petitioned 
for the formation of their country into an in- 
dependent county, and that they might be al- 
lowed to assist the Colonies in their struggle 
against the tyranny of England. They also 
asked for 500 pounds of gunpowder and a 
supply of rifles. The Governor was at first 
inclined to refuse these requests on the ground 
that Virginia had all she could manage in the 
defense of the Colonies. But Colonel Clark 
told him plainly that a country that was not 
worth defending was not worth claiming. 
The delegates obtained their desired arms and 
ammunition, and when the Legislature next 
met, the county of Kentucky was formed with 
almost the identical boundaries that now mark 
the State of Kentucky. 

General Hamilton, the British commander 
at Detroit, had set a price upon every set- 
tler's scalp in the Ohio Valley, and in the 
spring of 1777 the Indians had been so in- 
cited to cruelty and bloodshed by the promise 
of pay on the part of the British, that they 
made constant raids upon the settlements 
across the Ohio. Hiding in the dense forest, 
they boldly attacked the unprotected and help- 
less pioneer while at work in his field, burned 
his cabin, destroyed his cattle and his crops 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



23 



and carried his wife and children into helhsh 
captivity. Not a single life was safe, for there 
was always a hidden dusky foe on every hand. 
Unless relief could be obtained soon, all the 
whites in the valley woud be destroyed Re- 
lief came — and under the guiding hand of the 
brave young Clark. He conceived the plan of 
not only protecting the settlements but of sa\-- 



the Scioto and Miami rivers in Ohio, and the 
Reservation, now in the State of Indiana, for 
Clark and his soldiers. 

In May, 1 778, he started on the famous ex- 
pedition from Redstone Old Fort — Browns- 
ville. Pennsylvania — with only about 150 
men. Rut the liand increased in size as it 
marched on to old l-"ort Pitt, where it em- 




^^^" 



i'lmilesy .M.trnullan Co. 

BRYANT'S STATION— DRAWN BY GPXIRGE ROGERS CLARKE 



ing the great Northwest. But to carry out his 
plans he must ha\e more men, antl he there- 
fore hurried l)ack to Virginia and laid his 
plans fully before Governor Patrick Henry. 
He was duly commissioned to raise seven 
companies of 40 men each among the settlers 
west of the Allegheny mountains. As an in- 
centive each soldier was promised 300 acres 
of land, to be selected from the richest valleys 
of the conquered territory. Thus originated 
the Virginia Militarv Reservation, between 



barked upon the Ohio. When Colonel Clark 
left the Governor of Virginia he was en- 
trusted with two specific commands. One was 
to protect the settlers in Kentucky, and the 
other — not yet to be made public — authorized 
him to attack Kaskaskia, a British post on the 
Kaskaskia river, one mile east of the Missis- 
sippi. Governor Henry also gave him $1,200 
and an order on the commandant at Fort Pitt 
for all the powder he might need. 

From this fort the little band of men. with- 



24 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



out uniforms, fresh from the cabin, the for- 
est, and the mountain, began their perilous 
journey to conquer what has proved to be as 
rich a country as can be found upon the globe. 
A motley crowd they were! Clad only in the 
garb of the hunter, and armed with the clumsy 
flint-lock rifle, the tomahawk and the long 
knife. But each man felt that he had a mis- 
sion to perform, and under the leadership of 
the "Hannibal of the West," he knew not de- 
feat. 

At the falls of the Ohio the army of back- 
woodsmen halted and camped on "Corn Is- 
land" opposite the present site of Louisville. 
Here the settlers who had accompanied the ex- 
pedition decided to remain and build their 
homes. Colonel Clark drilled his soldiers 
here, then boldly informed them of his secret 
commission from Governor Henry to attack 
the British post at Kaskaskia. Cheers from 
the soldiers followed the announcement. Clark 
wisely decides to make the journey by land, 
and therefore hides his little flotilla near the 
mouth of the Tennessee and begins his jour- 
ney through the tangled forest. This journey 
was filled with dangers and difficulties, but on 
the night of July 4, 1778, he surprises the gar- 
rison and captures the fort and the town. By 
a masterful management he brought all the 
inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to 
the United States — and that without shedding 
blood. The British colors were lowered, and 
in their place the "Old Blue Flag" of Virginia 
was hoisted. Without fighting, the garrison 
of Cahokia, a few miles up the Mississippi, 
also surrendered. Then quickly followed the 
surrender of Vincennes, on the Wabash, 240 
miles distant. 

Vincennes at this time was deserted by most 
of the British, as the Governor-General, 
Hamilton, had returned to Detroit. But on 
learning of its capture by Colonel Clark and 



his backwoodsmen, and also that Kaskaskia 
and Cahokia were in his possession, Hamil- 
ton hastened to Vincennes with a large body 
of British regulars and Indian allies. He 
found the fort in possession of just two men 
— Captain Helm and a soldier. The Captain 
places a cannon at the open gate and demands 
the honors of war if the fort is to be surren- 
dered. The request is granted and two men 
march out between rows of British soldiers 
and Indians. 

Hamilton again takes command of the fort, 
but as it is now the dead of winter, decides 
to await the coming of spring before attack- 
ing Kaskaskia. But Clark is informed by his 
faithful Spanish friend. Colonel Vigo, who 
loaned Clark nearly $20,000 to aid in this 
campaign, that Hamilton had sent most of his 
men home for the winter, with the intention 
of recalling them early in the spring for an 
attack on Kaskaskia. Clark at once marches 
against Hamilton, a long and dangerous jour- 
ney. The streams were filled with floating ice, 
the meadows and valleys were full of water 
and the ground was swampy and irregular. 
Often the men had to wade four or five miles 
at a stretch, through water to their waists. 
Food became scarce and the men were falling 
from sickness. But fortunately for them they 
captured a canoe from some squaws, and in 
it they found a goodly quantity of buffalo 
meat, corn, tallow and kettles. This revived 
the weak and gave them all added courage to 
press on to the attack. 

At last they camped on a small area of dry 
ground within sight of Vincennes. Hamilton 
was not aware of the approach of any enemy, 
and consequently felt secure in his stronghold. 
When night fell upon the camp, Colonel Clark 
led his men in a bold rush upon the town. The 
people of Vincennes were most heartily tired 
of British rule, and thev welcomed the Amer- 



GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE 




GEN. AliiiiUK ST. CLAIR 



GEN. JOSIAH IIARMAR 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



27 



icans. After some sharp fighting Hamilton 
agreed to meet Clark in a church and arrange 
terms. The valiant Clark would listen to no 
proposition from this "murderer of defense- 
less women and children" but unconditional 
surrender. The next day Hamilton's men, 
79 in number, marched out and laid down 
their arms. The American colors were again 
hoisted over "Old Vincennes," and the fort 
was rebaptized with a new name, "Fort Pat- 
rick Henry." To the good name of George 
Rogers Clark also belongs the great work of 
the invasion of the rich country of the Shaw- 
nees, and the defeat of the Miamis. This suc- 
cessful campaign gave to Clark undisputed 
control of all the Illinois country and the rich 
valley of the Wabash. In fact he was the 
unquestioned master of the country from 
Pennsylvania to the "Father of Waters," and 
from the Ohio to the Great Lakes. 

By the treaty of Paris, 1783, at the close 
of the Revolutionary War, this great area, 
now consisting of five States, was transferred 
from Great Britain to the United States. To 
the hero of this expedition America owes an 
enduring monument. But we have not al- 
ways rewarded our great men in due measure. 
It is said that George Rogers Clark Vv'as al- 
lowed to pass his last years in poverty and 
neglect. His death came in 1818. 

OWNERSHIP OF THE NEW TERRITORY 

For a long time it was doubtful to what 
state this newly acc|uired region belonged. 
Virginia claimed nearly all of it — and cer- 
tainly her claim was a strong one. Massa- 
chusetts, New York and Connecticut each laid 
claim also to parts of this territory. But 
Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland abso- 
lutely refused to enter the Union unless all 
the other States gave up their claims to Con- 
gress. Their contention was this: Should 



Virginia, or any other State, be given the 
whole or even a great part of this vast area, 
she would then have too much power. There- 
fore, all claims, they said, should be surren- 
dered by these States to Congress for the gen- 
eral good. This firm stand on the part of 
these three small States finally prevailed, and 
all claims, save certain reservations, were 
given up to the general government. It was 
many years, however, before the Indian tribes 
gave up their rich hunting grounds to the 
white men. We cannot find heart to censure 
them for this, for it was no small matter for 
the savage son of the forest to yield the land 
of his birth and the bones of his fathers to 
the encroachments of alien foes. The treat- 
ment given these original owners of the soil 
of God's broad footstool will ever bring the 
blush of shame to every honest American for 
these lands were taken from them by misrep- 
resentation, dishonesty and overwhelming 
force. 

Senator John Sherman — Ohio's great sen- 
ator — always claimed that the Government 
never kept a single treaty made with the In- 
dian. Is it any wonder, then, that we find the 
Sacs, the Foxes, the Ottawas, the Winneba- 
goes, the Wyandottes, and Shawnees and the 
Kickapoos making a last desperate struggle to 
retain their happy hunting grounds ? 

BLACK HAWK 

The story of this last long effort by these 
tribes centers around the one chief who tow- 
ers above all others in this country, as Mt. 
Blanc towers among the foothills of the 
plains, viz : Black Hawk, a chief of the Sacs 
and Foxes. He was born in 1767, in the In- 
dian village of Saukenuk, on the north bank 
of the Rock river, about a mile above its 
mouth. At the age of nineteen, upon the 
death of his father, who was killed in battle, 



28 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



he "fell heir to the medicine bag of his fore- 
fathers," and for fifty years was the only 
leader of his people — the last savage patriot 
to defend his land against the irresistible force 
of civilization. Black Hawk was a born war- 
rior and leader of warriors. His great grand- 
father was a mighty chief before him— the 
celebrated old Thunder, who more than a hun- 
dred years before had led his fierce people — 
the Sacs — from the northern shores of the 
St. Lawrence to the rich valleys of Rock river 
and the Wisconsin. 

Black Hawk taught his people a rude form 
of agriculture, and they made a garden of 
Rock Island. I'ntil the unfair and one-sided 
treaty was made by the authorities at St. 
Louis in 1804 for a narrow strip of land along 
the great river, in order to work the mines of 
lead there, he was a friend of the Americans. 
But he never would acknowledge the rights 
of this treaty by which the valuable lands of 
his people were filched from them. This had 
been accomplished Ijy loading the four chiefs 
who had been sent to St. Louis to secure the 
honorable release of a Sac warrior impris- 
oned for killing a vicious backwoodsman in a 
quarrel, with gaudy presents, and filling them 
with whiskey. In addition, they were made 
flattering promises, and under these various 
influences they finally consented to give the 
American commander — the representative of 
the American — certain parts of their country 
on two rivers — the Illinois and the Mississippi. 
It was also promised, on the part of the Presi- 
dent of the United States to pay the Sacs 
$1,000 per year for his valuable grant. These 
chiefs had no right to make any treaty, though 
they thought by thus complying with the 
wishes of the white chief they would gain his 
good will, and save the life of the Sac warrior 
whom they had been sent to aid. Instead, 
however, they saw him. led out and shot to 



death — murdered without a trial — in the very 
land over which the Ordinance of 1787 had 
expressly stipulated : "The utmost good faith 
shall always be observed toward the Indians ; 
their lands and their property shall never be 
taken from them without their consent; and 
in their property, rights and liberty they shall 
never be in\-aded or disturbed, unless in just 
and lawful wars authorized by Congress, but 
laws founded in justice and humanity shall 
from time to time be made for preventing 
wrongs being done them and for preser\'ing 
peace and friendship with them. 

How well we have kept these fair promises ! 
What wonder that the noble blood of Black 
Hawk should fairl}' boil with vindictive rage 
at such treatment of his race. From this one 
abuse originated the Black Hawk war. But 
it was augmented by many other causes of 
even greater flagrance and dishonor. False 
reports about this great chief were spread far 
and wide, and the government sent an army 
against him. Our own great Lincoln formed, 
when a mere youth, a militia company, and 
marched to the supposed scene of "the great 
Indian uprising." Black Hawk, who never 
really meant to fight the Americans, but had 
long borne in silence his deep wrongs, was 
captured, through tlie treachery of the Win- 
nebagoes, and imprisoned. His tribes — men, 
helpless women and children — were ruthlessly 
shot down or drowned in the Mississippi, the 
very river upon whose banks they had so long 
hunted, lived and loved. After a long impris- 
onment in Jefferson barracks in Missouri, he 
was taken to Washfngton. where President 
Andrew Jackson held an interview with him. 
When asked by the President why he had at- 
tempted to make war against the Americans, 
he answered : "I am a man and you are an- 
other. I took up the hatchet to avenge inju- 
ries which could no longer be borne." The 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



20 



great President sent him baciv to live in peace 
with the few remaining people of his race, 
upon the plains of Iowa, where he died in 
1838. Thus was closed forever, in the Old 
Northwest, the efforts of the Red Man to re- 
tain the lands and hunting grounds of his 
fathers. The Black Jiawk war forms their 
last chapter. "As a race they have withered 
from the land. Their arrows are broken, their 
springs are dried up, their cabins are in the 
dust. Their council fire has long since gone 
out on the shore, and their war-cry is fast 
dying away to the untrodden West. Slowly 
and sadly they climb the distant mountains 
and read their doom in the setting sun. 

THE WILDERNESS SUBDUED 

Gradually the wilderness gave way to the 
pioneer. His sturdy arm and untiring frame 
never knew rest until the forest was made to 
blossom with fruit and grain. He turned 
the mountain side into a garden of flowers. 
Along the stream he built his mill and in the 
protected \alley he laid out the village — now 
the great city with its millions of people. He 
met the howling wolf with defiance, turned 
the woolly coat of the buffalo into a protect- 
ing robe, and dined upon choice rounds of bi- 
son and deer. As the virgin forest yielded be- 
fore his axe, cattle, sheep, hogs and horses 
flourished in his meadows. The meadows in 
turn gave place to the corn, and later to the 
wheat — and in place of the "johnny cake" 
came the snow-white loaf. The lo\'ing mother, 
sons and daughters were clad for many years 
only in garments made by their own hands — 
the "linsey-woolsey" of Hoosier days. Every- 
body worked from daylight until late into the 
night. The pioneer was his own manufac- 
turer. He could shoe a horse or "iron" a 
wagon. He could build a chair or a house. 
He could make his children's shoes or a spin- 



ning-wheel, and by the light of the fire from 
the great open fireplace — that ancient em- 
blem of the tribal family and of modern civili- 
zation — he tied his brooms and taught his 
children the "three R's." 

As markets came nearer, his rude cabin, 
"where humble happiness endeared eacli 




JIAP SHOWING THE OLD NORTHWEST ANT) ITS 
BOUNDARIES AT THE PRESENT TIJIE. 

scene," gave place to a more pretentious 
dwelling, and in it many of the real luxuries 
of life were found. 

Well could he say with Oliver Goldsmith : 
Blest be the spot where cheerful guests retire. 
To pause from toil and trim their evening fire ; 
Blest that abode where want and pain repair, 
And every stranger finds a ready chair; 



30 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Blest be those feasts with simple plenty 

crowned, 
Where all the ruddy family around 
Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail. ' 
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale ; 
Or press the bashful stranger to his food, 
And learned the luxury of doing good. 

The virgin soil now yields its golden har- 
vest and "health and plenty cheer the labor- 
ing swain." 

But out of all this change and progress 
comes the rugged pioneer himself, unchanged. 
His brow is deeply furrowed by the hardships, 



of years of sunshine and shadow, and his 
manners are still those of the dawn. 

THE pioneer's MONUMENT 

Dr. James Baldwin pays the pioneer the 
following noble tribute : "No hero of his- 
tory, no warrior patriot, ever served his coun- 
try better or earned laurels more nobly. The 
world may forget what he suffered and what 
he accomplished, but his monument shall re- 
main as long as our country endures. What 
is his monument? It is the Old Northwest 
itself, now the center of the republic, and the 
crowning factor of our country's greatness." 



CHAPTER II 



THE FAMOUS HOCKING VALLEY 



Great Valleys of the World — J'allcy of the Ho 
The Famed Logan Elm — First Attempt a 
Against the Miamis — St. Clair's Defeat — 
General Wayne's Great Victory — Siege o 
Defense of Fort Stephenson — End of the 
— Wild Game an Alluring Prize — The Ec 
pany — France Attempts to Take Posscssio 
War — The Fertility, Wealth and Snbsfa)t 

In all ages and countries man has sought 
the river valley. In the valley man first ad- 
vanced from barbarism to civilization. The 
first nations to gain power and to become en- 
lightened were those whose homes were on 
fertile soil and beside cool water. 

The great and fertile basin between the 
Alps and the Apennines — that garden of the 
ancient world — through which Hows the Po, 
was the abiding place of millions of inhabit- 
ants and the source of Italy's wealth. Of this 
valley Dr. Thomas Arnold says: "Who can 
wonder that this large and richly watered 
plain should be filled with flourishing cities or 
that it should have been successfully con- 
tended for so often by successful invaders." 

The Greek historian Herodotus proclaims : 
"Egypt is the gift of the Nile." The annual 
overflow of that giant stream has kept the 
valley of Egypt a garden of richest alluvium 
for untold centuries. Here have uncounted 
millions of the human race "lived, loved and 
died." 

The great river valleys of Russia have 



eking — Its Great Fertility— Diinnwre's li'ar — 
t Settlement in Ohio — General Harmar Sent 
Fort Defiance — Battle of the Fallen Timber, 
f Fort Meigs — Col. George Croghan and the 
War of 1812 — Early Struggle for Possession 
onoinic Work of the Beaver — The Ohio Com- 
n of the Ohio Valley — The French and Indian 
tial Citizenship of the Great Hocking Valley. 

long supported her teeming population, and 
today her sluggish rivers carry Russia's 
wealth to the sea. 

In America the Hudson flows through a 
valley so rich and so beautiful that it has long 
been the theme of the historian, and the in- 
spiration of the bard. 

But to the inhabitants of the Old North- 
west, and especially of Ohio, no valley has a 
greater charm than that of the Hocking. The 
name is Indian, and it falls softly on the ear 
when it is pronounced. The beauty of the 
name introduces you to the beauty of the val- 
ley. 

THE HOCKING RIVER 

The Hocking takes its rise in a large spring 
in Fairfield county, about ten miles northwest 
of Lancaster, the county seat. The spring is 
on the farm of Reuben Faler, in Section 21, 
Bloom township. It flows thence through the 
farm of A. Bowman, thence through the farm 
of the heirs of Joseph Leyndecker, thence 
through the farm of W. R. Cofman, and on 



31 



32 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



toward Lancaster. It empties into the Ohio 
at Hockingport, in Athens county, about 87 
miles from its source- The river, it is thus 
seen, is less than 100 miles in length. The 
spring of pure water which is its source is 
1,200 feet above the mouth, thus giving the 
river an average fall of nearly 14 feet to the 
mile. This remarkable fall accounts for the 
terrific force of its current during floods and 
high waters. The river valley contains por- 
tions of nine counties — more than 4,000 square 
miles in area. Its valley is the si.xth in size of 
the seven river sections of Ohio. The coun- 
ties drained in whole or in part are Fairfield, 
Hocking, Perry, Athens, Morgan, Vinton, 
Meigs (Gallia and Lawrence), and these nine 
counties constitute the " Hocking Valley" 
river section, lying between the western wa- 
tershed of the Muskingum Valley, and the 
eastern watershed of the Scioto valley. 

At Sugar Grove the Hocking river receives 
Rush Creek from the east. This creek is 
much larger than the Hocking, and, it is 
thought by many, should have been called 
Hocking. With one exception — Margaret's 
creek, one mile west of Athens — the Hocking 
has no western tributaries of any considerable 
size. But it has a goodly number from the 
east — Monday creek, which empties into the 
Hocking near Nelsonville; Sunday creek, at 
Chauncey, six miles above Athens; Margaret 
creek from the west; then numerous small 
streams meet the Hocking and swell its waters 
till they form a noble stream, falling into the 
Ohio at Hockingport. 

In many parts of its course the valley is 
quite wide and the soil extremely fertile. The 
stream itself is not large, yet in time of heavy 
rains or melting snows, from the great fall it 
has — 1,200 feet in its entire course — it be- 
comes a raging torrent — an avalanche, such as 



the city of Athens, and other places, recently 
experienced. 

This fertile valley was the original home 
of the Wyandotts, the Hurons, the Shawnees 
and the Delawares — brave and warlike tribes 
of Indians, who had held it for untold cen- 
turies. These Indians (The Wyandotts) had 
at the coming of the white man, two well 
known towns within the limits of Fairfield 
county : — one called Tarhe town, located 
southeast of the present city of Lancaster, on 
ground now occupied by the railroads — Old 
Chief Tarhe, a noble old master of his race, 
was ruler of his town and from him it took 
its name. The other town of the Wyandotts 
was known as Toby town — ruled by a less 
important and less worthy chief called Toby. 
This town was near, or possibly on. the pres- 
ent site of Royalton, in the northern part of 
Amanda township. 

The Hocking river is sometimes called the 
"Hock-hock-ing," which in the language of 
the Delaware Indians, signifies a bottle. The 
Shawnees have it, "Wea-tha-kagh-qua sepe," 
i. e., bottle river. John White, in the 
"American Pioneer," says : "About six or 
seven miles northwest of Lancaster there is a 
fall in the Hockhocking, of about twenty 
feet : above the fall for a short distance, the 
creek is very narrow and straight, forming a 
neck, while at the falls it suddenly widens on 
each side and swells into the appearance of 
the body of a bottle. The whole, when seen 
from above, appears exactly in the shape of 
a bottle, and from this fact the Indians called 
the creek Hockhocking." 

The entire valley, when occupied by the In- 
dians, was a wild and rugged area, 

"Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey, 
Or men as fierce and wild as they." 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



33 



But Nature had stored away in the hills 
and valleys of this region a richness of coal 
and gas, and oil, and clay, and iron and salt 
never dreamed of by the first inhabitants. 
"Hocking coal" is in demand all through the 
middle west, for it is high grade. It is shipped 



ago the salt products gave employment 
to hundreds of workmen and the product 
brought many thousands of dollars to the 
valley. 

No region of similar area in the state has 
produced so many noted men and women as 




MAP OF OHIO SHOWING HOCKING VALLEY 
[From Howe's Historical Collections] 



to all the ports of the Great Lakes and the 
cities of the Northwest. The long coal trains 
of the Hocking Valley are so common that 
they form a permanent part of the scenery of 
the valley. 

The clay products of this valley are among 
the most valuable in the country, and the in- 
dustry seems (1912) yet in its infancy. Years 



the Valley of the Hockhocking. In fact, this 
valley was the cradle for noted orators, 
statesmen, soldiers, mathematicians, jurists, 
scientists, journalists and ministers. Their 
name is legion; space forbids the mention of 
more than a few here — General Thomas 
Ewing, Sr., Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., John 
Shemian, Gen. William Tecumseh Shennan, 



34 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Governor of Ohio William Medill (1852-56), 
William J. Reese, Judge William W. Irvin, 
Charles R. Sherman, Hocking H. Hunter, 
Philomon Beecher, John Chaney, Thomas 
O. Edwards, Charles D. Martin, Philadelphus 
Van Trump, Capt. Joseph Hunter, Mrs. Jo- 
seph Hunter (first white woman to settle in 
the Hocking valley), Ebenezer Zane, Enoch 
Sites, the noted mathematician, Charles H. 
Grosvenor, Valentine B. Horton, Samuel 
Dana Horton, Jeremiah McLain Rusk ("Un- 
cle Jerry," secretary of agriculture), James 
W. Dawes, Governor of Nebraska, James 
Ball Naylor, the novelist, Samuel F. Vinton, 
Philip Henry Sheridan, John A. Macgahan, 
John L. Vance, Ann Bailey, John Campbell, 
Caleb Briggs. 

The population of this entire valley today 
is more than 260,000 people, and the number 
is constantly growing. This is a wonderful 
increase since 1800, the year of the organiza- 
tion of Fairfield county. The German na- 
tionality predominates in Fairfield county, as 
it does throughout the valley. The first im- 
migrants were largely from Pennsylvania, 
but Virginia and Kentucky contributed many 
people to the early settlement of the valley. 
Swiss and Hollanders came in large quanti- 
ties, but at the present day every country of 
Europe, parts of Africa and Asia and the 
Islands of the Sea are represented in this fa- 
mous valley. 

The soil along the course of the Hocking is 
a black loam, capable of producing the most 
extensive crops year after year without the 
use of fertilizers. The richness of this valley 
attracted the Indian long years before the 
coming of the white man. Here he roamed 
unmolested, and here he "wooed his dusky 
mate." The fauna and flora were most abun- 
dant, and life for both the white and the red 
man was made easy and happy, for game was 



found on every hand, and the God of nature 
had clothed the forest like a vineyard. 

Into this valley immigrants came in large 
numbers. They felled the forest and bridged 
the stream and they made the wilderness blos- 
som like the rose. Prosperous villages ap- 
peared at every turn of the road, or bend of 
the stream, and some of them soon became 
cities. 

Along the banks of this stream, and to the 
north, betimes, was heard the dreadful war- 
whoop of the Wyandotts, Shawnees or the 
Hurons, the shrill whistle of the rifle ball and 
the roar of the cannon At Fort Wayne, De- 
fiance and Toledo once stood massive forts 
where was heard the din of battle and there 
was seen the death grapple between "Mad An- 
thony" Wayne and his foes, or the long- 
drawn combat between General Harrison and 
the English general Proctor, aided by his de- 
voted Indian ally, Tecumseh. 

The story of these old struggles is ever new 
and this chapter would be sadly wanting in 
interest should the recital of them be omitted 
here. 

DUNM ore's war 

It is very interesting to know that, as early 
as 1774 a fort was established in the Hocking 
valley, and an army of 1,200 men, led by an 
English earl, marched through the valley, en- 
gaging in bloody warfare with the Indians. 
This fort was erected at the mouth of the 
Hocking river and was called Fort Gower, in 
honor of Earl Gower, in what is now Troy 
township, Athens county. This was Lord 
Dunmore's army. It was sent against the 
Delawares, Iroquois, Wyandotts and other 
tribes that had fallen into bitter conflict with 
the frontier population of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, and then carried over into the Hock- 
ing valley. These conflicts will ever be made 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



35 



notable by the fact that one of the bloodiest 
massacres was that of the family of the cele- 
brated Chief Logan, the elo(iuent leader of 
the Mingos. The quick and terrible vengeance 
of Logan upon the whites in the valley of 
the Monongahela, he has described in his 
justly famed speech, which is given in another 
part of this chapter. 

Lord Dunmore was governor of Virginia, 
and in August of 1770 he decided to raise a 
large army and "carry the war into Africa." 
Three regiments were raised, one to be com- 
manded by General Arthur Lewis and the 
other two by Lord Dunmore himself. Gen- 
eral Lewis marched out with 1,100 men, and 
on the 6th of October, 1774, reached Point 
Pleasant, twenty-eight miles in a direct line 
from the mouth of the Hocking. Here Lewis 
received orders from Dunmore to cross the 
Ohio at once and to join him at the Shawnee 
towns on the Scioto, against which Dunmore 
was marching. But before General Lewis 
could get started, two of his men were fired 
upon while out hunting. One was killed and 
the other came running into camp to give the 
alarm. In a very short time General Lewis 
was in the midst of one of the most sanguin- 
ary Indian wars of all frontier history. The 
Indians, led by the two famous chiefs, Corn- 
stalk and Logan, maddened by past wrongs, 
and enthused with the hope of crushing the 
enemy, fought all day long with the energy of 
demons. But an attempted flanking move- 
ment by Lewis caused the Indians to with- 
draw at the close of day. Their loss was 
about 233 ; the whites lost half their officers 
and 52 men were killed. This was the noted 
battle of Point Pleasant, fought October loth, 

1774- 

Lord Dunmore. in the meanwhile, with 
1,200 men. crossed the mountains at Potomac 



Gap, stopped at Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg, to 
review his army, and then descended the Ohio 
to the mouth of the Hocking, where he con- 
structed Fort Gower, as already related. 
Leaving a force to guard the supplies at Fort 
Gower, Lord Dunmore then marched up the 
Hocking as far as where we now find the 
flourishing town of Logan. From this point he 
marched westward to within seven miles of 
Circle\ille, where, near the famous "Logan 
Elm" a grand parley or "pow-wow" was held, 
and a treaty executed. It was at this parley, 
and under the elm noted, that the Mingo chief 
Logan, made his justly famous speech, the 
first sentence of which runs: "I appeal to 
any white man to say if he ever entered Lo- 
gan's cabin hungry and he gave him not 
meat." See Chapter III. 

After the treaty was made Lord Dunmore 
marched back to Fort Gower, where the army 
was disbanded. Some of these soldiers settled 
along the Hocking, and in the Mingo bottoms. 
The.se soldiers sent for their families and 
friends, attracted by the fertility of the soil, 
and thus formed the settlements in Ohio, in 
1774 and 1775. They were not permanent, 
however. 

THE FAR FAMED LOGAN ELM 

We would not be just to our readers of to- 
day were to omit the description of the great 
elm beneath whose spreading branches the fa- 
mous speech of Logan was delivered. This 
tree stands today on the farm of James Boggs, 
about six miles south of Circleville, on Congo 
creek. The tree when in the full vigt)r of its 
long life was 20 feet in girth, 79 feet high 
and the circle of its branches was 120 feet in 
diameter. The Boggs family settled on this 
farm as early as 1798 and until recently it was 
in their possession. The ground on which the 



36 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



tree stands is now owned by a Mrs. Wallace 
who lives in Chillicothe. The Boggs family 
no longer live there. 

The tree is still vigorous; but is badly in 
need of treatment, if it is to be preserved. 
There is a movement on foot now to buy a 
roadway in to the tree. A society known as 
the Pickaway County Historical Association 
is pushing the movement. But the first object 
of the Society is to have a tree surgeon exam- 
ine the tree, and do what can be done towards 
preserving it. Already a collection has been 
taken in the schools of the county looking to 
this end, the balance then to be used in help- 
ing to buy the roadway. Miss Clara Little- 
ton is secretary of this Historical Association. 
This is one of America's most noted trees, for 
the speech here delivered, "a brief effusion of 
mingled pride, courage and sorrow," gave to 
the Red Man, in the primeval forests of 
America, an elevated character and power of 
eloquence hitherto almost unknown. The 
very f)lace where it was delivered will yet 
become a Mecca, and thousands will go to see 
the Elm and stand upon the very spot made 
memorable by the touching eloquence of this 
child of the forest. 

That the reader may get a more compre- 
hensive view of these early struggles in Ohio, 
a brief account of "St. Clair's Defeat," "Mad 
Anthony Wayne and Fort Defiance." "Bat- 
tle of Fallen Timber," "Siege of Fort 
Meigs," "Col. George Croghan and the De- 
fense of Ft. Stephenson," and "The Old 
Northwest," is here added. From fhese 
sketches the student of history will soon see 
that the early contests in the Hocking valley, 
from Fort Gower to the "Logan Elm," were 
very much like those in other parts of our 
now beautiful state. It was everywhere a 
question of power — as it is in the world today 



— and it would seem that everyone acted upon 
the principle that 

"He should take who has the power. 
And he should hold who can." 

FIRST SETTLEMENT IN OHIO 

The Governor of Canada, Count de Fron- 
tenac, anxious for France to gain possession 
of the rich country to the south of the chain 
of Great Lakes, sent out trading parties with 
authority from the King of France to erect 
stores and military posts, and to take posses- 
sion of the country in the name of the govern- 
ment of France. One of these trading par- 
ties erected a post on the Maumee, near the 
present site of Maumee City in Lucas County, 
in 1680. This was an important trading post 
for a number of years. This post was re- 
moved to a more advantageous position at the 
head waters of the Maumee, where the city 
of Fort Wayne now stands. On the site of 
the old post at Maumee City, the British 
erected, in 1794, Fort Miami. The above- 
named post or stockade, at Maumee City, is 
believed to have been the first attempt at set- 
tlement or occupation by white men, within 
the present limits of Ohio. These statements 
are made, says the historian Knapp. on the 
authority of records at Montreal and Que- 
bec, and papers at Albany and Harrisburg. 

The chief village of the Miami Indians was 
at the junction of the St. Mary's and St Jo- 
seph's rivers, where Fort Wayne now stands. 
In 1 79 1 General Harmar was sent against 
them, to punish them for their continued at- 
tacks upon the white settlers. But he was led 
into an ambuscade and routed. 

ST. clair's defeat 

General St. Clair, a Revolutionary officer 
of note and Governor of the territory north- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



37 



west of the Ohio, was then sent to attack the 
Miamis in the same year ; but he was surprised 
and signally beaten. Every schoolboy knows 
the story of his defeat. It was the most dis- 
astrous of all the early conflicts with the In- 
dians. The battle was fought along a branch 
of the Wabash, a little south of the St. 
Mary's, at Fort Recovery, Mercer county, 
Ohio, November 4, 1791. 

After a careful examination of the records 
and ability of various officers, Washington 
assigned to General Anthony Wayne the dif- 
ficult task, and in June, 1792, he was sent into 
the Indian country in the Northwest. He 
was called by the Indians, "The Chief Who 
Never Sleeps.'' He si)ent about two years in 
building forts, enlisting troops and in gaining 
the confidence of some of the Indians. They 
left Fort Washingtan (now Cincinnati), Oc- 
tober 7, 1793, and established Fort Greenville, 
on the present site of the county seat of 
Darke county. On Christmas Day, 1793, 
Wayne reoccupied the ground where St. Clair 
had been so badly beaten three years before 
and erected a stockade, which was very ap- 
propriately named "Fort Recovery." As the 
fort was in process of recovery 600 human 
skulls were found and buried under one of the 
blockhouses — relics of the awful carnage of 
St. Clair's defeat. 

General Wayne now put forth every effort 
to gain the favorable consideration of terms 
of peace, but the Indians, flushed with success, 
refused to accept any terms, however favora- 
ble, and even murdered Trueman, Freeman 
and Colonel Hardin, the three ambassadors 
sent to treat with them. Back of this action 
was the influence of the British, who urged 
the Indians on to further deeds of violence. 

On July 28, 1794, General Wayne, after 
being joined on the 26th by Colonel Scott, 
with 1,600 mounted Kentuckians, started on 



his victorious march against his foes. They 
fled at his advance, and he soon found him- 
self in the fertile country about the junction 
of the Auglaize with the Maumee. There 
were extensive gardens and highly cultivated 
fields extending for many miles abo\'e and be- 
low the junction of the two rivers. All this 
indicated the work of many people — an evi- 
dence of the number of the enemy. 

Here General Wayne at once erected a 
strong stockade fort where the two rivers 
meet and he named it "Fort Defiance." 

\\'ayne was eight days in building Fort De- 
fiance ; began on the 9th of August and fin- 
ished on the i7tli. .\fter surveying its block- 
houses, pickets, ditches and fascines, Wayne 
exclaimed: "I defy the English, Indians and 
all the devils in hell to take it." Colonel 
Scott, who happened at that instant to be 
standing at his side, remarked : "Then call it 
Fort Defiance." And so \\''ayne, in a letter to 
the Secretary of \\'ar, written at this time, 
said : "Thus, sir, we have gained possession 
of the grand emporium of the hostile Indians 
of the West without loss of blood. The very 
extensi\e and highly cultivated fields and gar- 
dens show the work of many hands. The 
margin of those beautiful rivers, the Miamis 
of the Lake (or Maumee) and Auglaize, ap- 
pear like one continued village for a number 
of miles both above and below this place ; nor 
have r ever before beheld such fields of corn 
in any part of America from Canada to Flor- 
ida. We are now employed in completing a 
strong stockade fort, with four good block- 
houses, by way of bastions, at the confluence 
of the .Auglaize and the Maumee, which I 
have called Defiance." 

B.XTTLE OF THE F.\LLEN TIMBER 

The Indians and their British allies did not, 
however, risk a battle here, but selected an ele- 



38 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



vated plain above the rapids of the Maumee, 
on the left bank of the river. This place they 
thought greatly favored their plan of battle, 
for it was covered by fallen timber which had 
been recently hurled to the ground by a tor- 
nado, thus preventing the action of cavalry. 
Undaunted by this plan, Wayne moved on to 
the place of conflict, and on August 20th, 
about 8 o'clock in the morning, he began the 
attack upon the combined forces of Indians 
and British. The battle began at "Presque 



ground. As was anticipated, this advance soon 
met the enemy, and being fired on fell back 
and was warmly pursued toward the main 
body. The morning was rainy, and the drums 
could not communicate the concerted signals 
with sufficient distinctness. A plan of turn- 
ing the right flank of the Indians was not, 
therefore, fulfilled. But the victory was com- 
plete, the whole Indian line, after a severe 
contest, giving way and flying in disorder. 
About one hundred savages were killed." 



^jMininfli'iiuwiMiai,,,^ 




PLAN ILLUSTRATING THE BATTLES OF THE MAUMEE. 

The above map .shows about eight miles of the country along each side of the Maumee, including the 
towns of Perrysburg, Maumee City and Waterville. 

Fort Meigs, memorable from having sustained two sieges in the year 1813, is shown on the east side of 
the Maumee, with the British batteries on both sides of the river, and above the British fort, the position 
of Proctor's encampment. 

From Enapp's "History of the Maumee Valley." 



Isle" — a hill about two miles south of Mau- 
mee City, and four south of the British fort, 
Miami. 

"General Wayne had about three thousand 
men under his command, and the Indians are 
computed to have been equally numerous. This 
is not improbable, as the hostile league em- 
braced the whole Northwestern frontier. As 
he approached the position of the enemy he 
sent forward a battalion of mounted riflemen, 
which was ordered, in case of an attack, to 
make a retreat in feigned confusion, in order 
to draw the Indians on more disadvantageous 



This decisive victory gave undisputed pos- 
session of the country of the Miamis, and 
completely broke their power. 

Before leaving this valley, so gloriously 
gained. General Wayne erected a fort where 
Swan Creek joins the Maumee, which was 
held until Jay's treaty, 1793, when Great Brit- 
ain surrendered its Northern posts. 

"On the 27th the troops took up their 
march, devastating every village and field on 
the line to Fort Defiance, which they pro- 
ceeded to render more substantial. Septem- 
ber 14th the legion moved on to the Miami 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



39 



villages, where the long contemplated fort was 
constructed, and October 22, 1794, placed un- 
der command of Lieutenant Colonel Ham- 
tramck, who, after firing fifteen rounds of 
cannon, gave the name, which the city now 
bears, of Fort Wayne." 

SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS, 1813 

Of all the military operations along the 
Great Lakes during the War of 1812, none 
is more interesting than the siege of Fort 
Meigs, near the present site of Toledo. The 
fort stood upon high ground, about 60 feet 
above the Maumee, on the margin of the 
bank. The surface is quite level. The site is 
well preserved, and a station called "Fort 
Meigs" is now seen along the line of the elec- 
tric railway. One may yet see the well-defined 
outline of the old fort — the grand traverse 
yet arises six or eight feet above the ground. 
The place is famous, and many people visit it 
each year. 

The following accounts of Fort Meigs and 
her battles are taken from Knapp's "History 
of the Maumee Valley." 

"In an excursion of the veterans of the 
War of 1812, made to Fort Meigs in June, 
1870, Mayor Tyler, in his address of wel- 
come to the soldiers, remarked, with regard 
to the present condition of this consecrated 
ground : 

" 'On to-morrow you will be escorted to 
the old fortifications of Fort Meigs. There 
you will find its earthworks faithfully pre- 
served, safe, only as far as the hand of time 
has marred its former war-frowning front. 
No instrument of agriculture has torn flown 
or plowed up any part of the old fort. Two 
of the original pickets, placed there in 181 2, 
are there yet. There you will find, marked by 
stones long since placed over them, the graves 
of vour fallen comrades, there the trenches. 



there the magazine, there all the outlines of 
the ancient warfare. Mr. Michael Hayes and 
his brothers, who own the soil of the old fort, 
have faithfully performed their duty in guard- 
ing this landmark of history from destruction 
or desolation. They have preserved many of 
the relics of the battle-field — grape shot, can- 
ister, bayonets, and many other evidences of 
the conflict.' 

"So far the military operations of the 
Northwest had certainly been sufinciently dis- 
couraging; the capture of Mackinac, the sur- 
render of Hull, the massacre at Chicago, and 
the overwhelming defeat at Frenchtown, are 
the leading events. Nothing had been gained, 
and of what had been lost, nothing had been 
retaken. The slight successes over the Indians 
by Hopkins, Edwards and Campbell had not 
shaken the power or confidence of Tecumseh 
and his allies; while the fruitless efforts of 
Harrison through five months, to gather 
troops enough at the mouth of the Maumee to 
attempt the reconquest of Michigan, which 
had been taken in a week, depressed the spir- 
its of the Americans, and gave new life and 
hopes to their foes. 

"About the time that Harrison's unsuccess- 
ful campaign drew to a close, a change took 
place in the War Department, and General 
Armstrong succeeded his incapable friend. 
Dr. Eustis. Armstrong's views were those of 
an able soldier. In October, 181 2, he had 
again addressed the government, through Mr. 
Gallatin, on the necessity of obtaining com- 
mand of the Lakes, and when raised to power 
determined to make naval operations the basis 
of tiie military movements in the Northwest. 
His views in relation to the coming campaign 
in the West were based on two points, viz : 
The use of regular troops alone, and the com- 
mand of the Lakes, which he was led to think 
could be obtained bv the 20th of June. 



40 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



"Although the views of the Secretary in 
regard to the non-employment of militia were 
not, and could not be, adhered to, the general 
plan of merely standing on the defensive until 
the command of the Lakes was secured, was 
persisted in, although it was the 2nd of Au- 
gust, instead of the ist of June, before the 
vessels on Lake Erie could lea\e the harbor 
in which they had been built. Among these 
defensive operations in the spring and sum- 
mer of 1813, that of Fort Meigs, the new post 
taken by Harrison at the foot of the rapids, 
and that at Lower Sandusky, deserve to be 
especially noticed, as they form historical 
wealth which the whole country, and espe- 
cially the inhabitants of the Maumee Valley, 
will ever regard with feelings of pride and 
interest. It had been anticipated that, with 
the opening of spring, the British would at- 
tempt the con(juest of the position upon the 
Maumee, and measures had been taken by the 
General to forward reinforcements, which 
were detained, however, as usual, by the 
spring freshets and the bottomless roads. It 
was no surprise, therefore, to General Harri- 
son, that on the breaking up of the ice in Lake 
Erie, General Proctor, with all his disposable 
force, consisting of regulars and Canadian 
militia from Maiden, and a large body of In- 
dians under Tecumseh, amounting in the 
whole to 2,000 men, made him a hostile visit, 
and laid siege to Fort Meigs. To encourage 
the Indians, he had promised them an easy 
conquest, and assured them that General Har- 
rison should be delivered up to Tecumseh. On 
the 26th of April the British columns ap- 
peared on the other bank of the river and es- 
tablished their principal batteries on a com- 
manding eminence opposite Fort Meigs. On 
the 27th the Indians crossed the river and es- 
tablished themselves in the rear of the Amer- 
ican lines. The garrison, not having com- 



pleted their wells, had no water except what 
they obtained from the river, under a constant 
firing from the enemy." 

Below is an extract from an article on the 
siege of Fort Meigs, by Rev. A. M. Lor- 
raine, originally published in the "Ladies' Re- 
pository" for March, 1845 : 

"One afternoon, as numbers were gathered 
together on the 'parade,' two strangers, finely 
mounted, appeared on the western bank of the 
ri\er. and seemed to be taking a very calm 
and deliberate survey of our works. It was a 
strange thing to see travelers in that wild 
country, and we commonly held such to be 
enemies, until they proved themselves to be 
friends. So one of our batteries was cleared 
forthwith, and the gentlemen were saluted 
with a shot that tore up the earth about them 
and put them to a hasty flight. If that ball had 
struck its mark, much bloodshed might have 
been prexented, for we learned subsequently 
tliat our illustrious visitors were Proctor and 
Tecumseh. The garrison was immediately 
employed in cutting deep traverses through 
the fort, taking down the tents and preparing 
for a siege. The work accomplished in a 
few hours, under the excitement of the occa- 
sion, was prodigious. The grand traverse be- 
ing completed, each man was ordered to ex- 
ca\ate. under the embankment, suitable lodg- 
ings, as substitutes for our tents. Those 
rooms were shot-proof and bomb-proof, ex- 
cept in the event of a shell falling in the tra^-- 
erse and at the mouth of a cave. The above 
works were scarcely completed before it was 
discovered that the enemy, under cover of 
night, had constructed batteries on a com- 
manding hill north of the river. There their 
artiller3-men were posted ; but the principal 
part of their army occupied the old English 
fort below. Their Indian allies appeared to. 
have a roving commission, for they beset us 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



41 



on every side. The cannonading commenced 
in good earnest on both sides. It was, how- 
ever, more constant on the British side, be- 
cause they had a more extensive mark to bat- 
ter. We had nothing to fire at but their bat- 
teries, but they were coolly and deliberately 
attended to; and it was believed that more 
than one of their guns were dismounted dur- 
ing the siege. One of our militiamen took his 
station on the embankment, and gratuitously 
forewarned of us of every shot. In this he be- 
came so skillful that he could, in almost every 
case, predict the destination of the ball. As 
soon as the smoke issued from the muzzle of 
the gun, he would cry out 'shot' or 'bomb," 
as the case might be. Sometimes he would 
exclaim 'Block-house No. i,' or 'Look out, 
main battery;' 'Now for the meat house;' 
'Good-bye, if you will pass.' In spite of all 
the expostulations of his friends, he main- 
tained his post. One day there came a shot 
that seemed to defy all his calculations. He 
stood silent, motionless, perplexed. In the 
same instant he was swept into eternity. Poor 
man ! he should have considered, that when 
there is no obliquity in the issue of the smoke, 
either to the right or left, above or below, the 
fatal messenger would travel in the direct line 
of his vision. He reminded me of the peas- 
ant in the siege of Jerusalem who cried out, 
'Woe to the city! Woe to myself!' On the 
most active day of the investment, there were 
as many as 500 cannon balls and bombs 
thrown at our fort. Meantime the Indians, 
climbing up into the trees, fired incessantly 
upon us. Such was their distance, that many 
of the balls barely reached us, and fell iiarm- 
less to the ground. Occasionally they in- 
flicted dangerous and even fatal wounds. The 
number killed in the fort was small, consid- 
ering the profusion of powder and ball ex- 
pended on us. About 80 were slain, many 



wounded, and several had to suffer the ampu- 
tation of limbs. The most dangerous duty 
which we performed within the precincts of 
the fort, was in covering the magazine. Pre- 
vious to this, the powder had been deposited 
in wagons, and these stationed in the traverse. 
Here there was no security against bombs ; it 
was therefore thought to be prudent to re- 
move the powder into a small block-house and 
cover it with earth. The enemy, judging our 
designs from our movements, now directed 
all their shot to this point. Many of their 
balls were red-hot. Wherever they struck 
they raised a cloud of smoke, and made a 
frightful hissing. An officer, passing our 
quarters, said: 'Boys, who will volunteer to 
cover the magazine?' Fool-like, away several 
of us went. As soon as we reached the spot, 
there came a ball and took off one man's head. 
The spades and dirt flew faster than any of 
us had before witnessed. In the midst of our 
job, a bombshell fell on the roof, and lodging 
on one of the braces it spun around for a mo- 
ment. Every soldier fell flat on his face, and 
with breathless horror awaited the vast ex- 
plosion, which we expected would crown all 
our earthly sufferings. Only one of the gang 
presumed to reason on the case. He silently 
argued that, as the shell had not burst as 
quickly as usual, there might be something 
wrong in its arrangement. If it burst where 
it was, and the magazine exploded, there could 
be no escape; it was death anyhow; so he 
sprang to his feet, seized a boat hook, and 
pulling the hissing missile to the ground, and 
jerking the smoking match from its socket, 
discovered that the shell was filled with in- 
flammable matter, which if once ignited would 
have wrapped the whole building in a sheet 
of flame. This circumstance added wings to 
our shovels and we were right glad when the 
officer said : 'That will do; go to your lines.' " 



42 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Defeated in his attempts to capture Fort 
Meigs, Proctor next moved to Lower San- 
dusky, into the neighborhood of General Har- 
rison's stores and his headquarters, and be- 
sieged Fort Stephenson. 

Herewith is given a brief account of the 
attack upon this fort, and its heroic defense 
by the youthful Colonel Croghan. 

COL. GEORGE CROGHAN AND THE DEFENSE OF 
FORT STEPHENSON 

George Croghan was born near Louisville, 
Kentucky, November 15, 1791. He was a boy 
of manly appearance, and at a very early age 
developed a strong desire for military life. 
He was graduated at the College of William 
and Mary, Virginia, July 4, 1810. In 181 1 
he served in the battle of Tippecanoe, exhibit- 
ing great courage, activity and military skill. 
He was made captain the following year, and 
major, March, 1813. On May 5, 1813, he dis- 
tinguished himself as aide-de-camp of Gen- 
eral Harrison in the defense of Fort Meigs. 

Early in 1813, Fort Stephenson, at Lower 
Sandusky (now Fremont), was constructed 
by and named after Colonel Stephenson, then 
in command of United States troops. During 
the month of July, 1813, Major Croghan was 
placed in command of this fort, upon which 
an attack by the British was anticipated. Pre- 
vious to the battle. General Harrison had dis- 
patched messengers to Croghan, advising him 
that if the enemy appeared in force he should 
retreat. But the young major wrote back that 
he had determined to hold the fort at all haz- 
ards. General Harrison treated his reply as 
disobedience of orders, and relieved him of 
his command. Croghan at once explained to 
the General's satisfaction, and was returned 
to his post. 

On the 31st of July the British made their 
appearance, landing about a mile below the 



fort. General Proctor, the British commander, 
at once sent a messenger to the fort with 
a flag, and a summons for an immediate sur- 
render. To this went back the reply: "The 
fort ivill be defended to the last extremity; no 
force, however great, can induce us to sur- 
render, as zve are resolved to maintain this 
post or bury ourselves in its ruins." Again 
was the ilag of truce sent to Croghan, advis- 
ing him to submit, and thereby avoid the ter- 
rible massacre that would surely follow. But 
to this, the cool and defiant answer went out : 
"irhcn this fort is taken, there shall be none 
to massacre; it zvill not he given up while a 
man is able to resist." Firing immediately 
commenced by the British gunboats and a 
howitzer on shore. Croghan had but one 
piece of artillery, but by shifting its position 
from place to place, induced the belief that he 
had several. The British, having made no 
satisfactory progress, determined to storm the 
fort, and on the 2nd of August advanced with 
about 500 regulars, 800 Indians, a howitzer 
and three six-pounders. They were under 
command to "give the Yankees no quarter." 
Croghan, with only 169 men, reserved fire un- 
til the "red coats" had approached within easy 
reach, when he fired with such fatal precision 
that the British faltered ; he then turned his 
battery, a single gun, a six-pounder loaded 
with grape and canister, upon them, and the 
ravine through which they were approaching 
was shortly filled with the dead and dying en- 
emy. This British loss of dead and wounded 
was about 120, while Croghan's was only 
eight. 

Thus, on the 2nd day of August, 1813, at 
the age of 21 years, the heroic Croghan, 
against a vastly superior force, had won this 
brilliant victory. For this exploit he was bre- 
vetted lieutenant colonel by the President of 
the United States ; Congress awarded him a 




o ■'■■ 



4 - H 







AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



45 



gold medal, and the ladies of Chillicothe, then 
the capital of Ohio, presented him with a 
beautiful sword. 

Just previous to the battle. Major Croghan 
wrote the following impressive letter to a 
friend : 

"The enemy are not far distant. I expect 
an attack. I will defend this post till the last 
extremity. I have just sent away women and 
children, wih the sick of the garrison, that I 
may be able to act without incumbrance. Be 
satisfied. I shall, I hope, do my duty. The 
example set me by my Revolutionary kindred 
is before me' Let me die rather than prove 
unworthy of their name." 

He was made inspector general in 1825, 
with rank of colonel, and served as such with 
General Taylor in Mexico in 1846-47. 

Col. George Croghan died in New Orleans, 
January S, i8.^g. And to keep his memory, 
Fremont, through these passing years, has 
continued to celebrate the second of .\ugust. 

Fort Stephenson, a spot precious to the 
citizens of Fremont, is now owned and cared 
for by the city. The old cannon, familiarly 
known as "Old Betsy," which did such fearful 
execution in the fight, to-day stands silently 
upon the fort, a fitting companion of that no- 
ble shaft, erected in memory of Colonel Crog- 
han, and of the brave soldiers in the late Re- 
bellion. 

Tecumseh's death at the battle of the 
Thames in Canada, and Perry's victory on 
Lake Erie, with Jackson's at New Orleans, 
following the successes of Fort Meigs and 
Fort Stephenson, closed the War of 181 2, or 
the "Second War of Independence." 

THE OLD NORTHWEST EARLY STRUGGLE FOR 

POSSESSION 

Prof. B. A. Hinsdale, of the University of 
Michigan, in his "Old Northwest," writes 



thus : "Save New England alone, there is no 
section of the United State embracing several 
States, that is so distinct an historical unit, 
and that so readily yields to historical treat- 
ment as the 'Old Northwest.' It was the oc- 
casion of the final struggle for dominion be- 
tween France and England in North America. 
It was the theatre of one of the most bril- 
liant and far-reaching military exploits of the 
Revolution. The disposition to be made of it 
at the close of the Revolution is the most im- 
portant territorial question treated in the his- 
tory of .American diplomacy. After the war 
the Northwest began to assume increasing im- 
portance in the national history It is the 
original public domain and the part of the 
West first colonized under the authority of 
the national government. It was the first and 
most important territory ever organized by 
Congress. It is the only part of the United 
States ever under a secondary constitution 
like the Ordinance of 1787. No other equal 
part of the Union has made, in one hundred 
years, such progress along the characteristic 
lines of American development." 

From the Old Northwest were formed the 
States of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, In- 
diana, Ohio, and part of Minnesota, and it 
forms one of the richest and most enterpris- 
ing regions of America. 

Long before the English appeared upon 
this scene, the French had explored and 
threaded the great wilderness. They pushed 
their way into the great regions beyond the 
source of the Mississippi to the "Land of the 
Dakotas," and in the opposite direction to the 
mouth of the Mississippi and to the foot of 
the .-Xlleghenies. They spread themselves out 
over half a continent, visiting lakes, forests 
and rivers, bent on discovery, trade or the re- 
claiming of souls- The tale of the heroic ex- 
peditions of the French voyagcurs. priests and 



46 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



soldiers amid the sublimity and grandeur of 
the virgin scenes which unfolded to their 
■vision, forms a brilliant and enchanting chap- 
ter in American history. 

Of the galaxy of States formed from this 
western region, the territory occupied by 
Ohio was the last to be discovered and claimed 
by the French. It lay in the path of the near- 
est route from Canada to the Mississippi Val- 
ley, but the explorers were long barred out by 
the hostile Iroquois, and not until the year 
1680 do we find any important settlements. 
In that year one of the parties sent out by 
Frontenac, the Governor of Canada, built a 
small stockade just below the site of Maumee 
City, which was an important trading post for 
many years. In 1694 it was abandoned for 
a more favorable location at the head of the 
Maumee, where Fort Wayne now stands. The 
next year witnessed the establishment of a 
trading post at the western end of Lake Erie, 
which was destroyed by the Miamis two years 
later. The Wabash Valley was occupied 
about the year 1700, the first settlers entering 
it from the Kankakee. Later the Canadians 
found a nearer route to the Wabash Valley 
by way of the Maumee river and the short 
portage between the head waters of the two 
rivers. About this time, also, the English 
first established themselves in Ohio for per- 
manent operations. As early as 1686-87 'At- 
tempts were made by the Dutch and English 
traders from New York to penetrate this 
western region. The country between Lake 
Erie and Upper Michigan was one of the great 
beaver trapping grounds and was therefore a 
temptation to the traders. "The Hurons, the 
Chippewas, the Ottawas and even the Iro- 
quois, from beyond Ontario, by turns sought 
this region in large parties for the capture of 
this game, -from the earliest historic times. It 



is a region peculiarly adapted to the wants of 
this animal. To a great extent level, it is in- 
tersected by numerous water courses, which 
have but moderate flow. At the headquarters 
and small inlets of these streams the beaver 
established his colonies. Here he dammed the 
streams, setting back the water over the flat 
lands, and creating ponds, in which were his 
habitations. Not one or two, but a series of 
such dams were constructed along each 
stream, so that very extensive surfaces be- 
came thus covered permanently with the 
flood. The trees were killed and the land was 
converted into a chain of ponds and marshes, 
with intervening dry ridges. In time, by 
Nature's recuperative process, the annual 
growth and decay of grasses and aquatic 
plants, these filled with muck or pe^t, with oc- 
casional deposits of bog lime, and the ponds 
and swales became dry again. 

"Illustrations of this beaver-made country 
are numerous enough in our immediate vicin- 
ity. In a semi-circle of 12 miles around De- 
troit, having the river for base, and embracing 
about 100,000 acres, fully one-fifth consists of 
marshy tracts or prairies, which had their ori- 
gin in the work of the beaver. A little far- 
ther west nearly one whole township in 
Wayne county is of this country." (Hub- 
bard, "Memorials of a Half Century.") 

Ohio was also invaded by settlers from Vir- 
ginia, but it is not known who the English- 
men were who first crossed the Alleghenies 
to the valleys beyond. We have no authentic 
records of explorations in the region until the 
year 1714, when Governor Alexander Spotts- 
wood of Virginia led an exploring party be- 
yond the Alleghenies. In 1744 the Indians 
deeded all this western region to Virginia, 
and this gave the English their first real treaty 
right to the West. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



47 



THE OHIO COMPANY 

In 1784 the "Ohio Company," which was 
composed ot thirteen prominent Virginians 
and Marylanders and a London merchant, 
was formed for the purpose of speculating 
in lands and trading w ith the Indians in Ohio. 
Christopher Gist was sent out by the company 
to explore southern Ohio, and from this time 
there is a growing interest in these western 
lands. 

The "Ohio Company" was an incorporated 
bod)'. They secured large tracts of land by 
purchase but more directly from Congress as 
a gift, under a patent from George Washing- 
ton. This estate included parts of Athens, 
Hocking and Vinton counties. Rufus Put- 
nam and Benjamin Tupper, organizers of this 
justly famous "Ohio Company," were the 
leaders in securing settlers to come to this new- 
country, and thus they have the honor of 
founding the first permanent settlement 
within the present borders of Ohio, at Mari- 
etta, April 7, 1788. 

The French, however, were not inactive. 
Marquis de la Gallisoniere, w ho was gover- 
nor of Canada, sent Celoron de Bienville, 
with 300 men into the Ohio valley with the 
purpose of taking possession of the country. 
of propitiating the Indians, and of warning 
the English traders out of the country. 
Bienville crossed the portage between Lake 
Erie and Lake Chautauqua, which was the 
easternmost crossing from the Great Lakes to 
the southern ri\'ers used by the French, and 
made his way down the .Mlegheny and Ohio 



rivers to the Miami, returning to Montreal by 
way of the Maumee and LaKe Erie. At im- 
portant ponus lie mined leaden plates upon 
which were engraved the arms of France, and 
bearing the inscription that they had taken 
the land and buried the plates. Bienville 
found the valley swarming with English trad- 
ers and the Indians generally well disposed 
toward them. 

The Marquis Duchesne, in 1853, ^^'^b a 
strong force seized and held the northeastern 
branches of tlu (.Amu. This threw down the 
gauntlet to the English, and in 1756 war was 
formally declared l)etween the two countries, 
which culininaled <m the Heights of Abraham 
in 1759. In the treaty of 1763 France sur- 
rendered her possessions to the English, and 
for several years Ohio was controlled by mil- 
itary commandants on the frontiers. 

The great valley of the Hocking was, it is 
seen, a part of this ancient battle-ground be- 
tween the Indian tribes, the French and the 
English. It is now the home of thousands of 
people whose contest is for advancement. 
Schools, churches and factories take the place 
of the camp, the fort and the wigw'am. Where 
once the beaver, unmolested, built his dam in 
marsh and swamp, the farmer grows his 
crops, and herds his flocks in peace and con- 
tentment. The same skies hang above and 
the same sun warms the land, but how- differ- 
ent the product ! Her great men and noble 
women have made history — have carried the 
burden and scattered the mists — and today no 
more fitting home for man can be found on 
old Earth than the valley of the Hocking. 



CHAPTER III 



INDIAN OCCUPATION 

The Life Story of Simon Kenton — Simon Girty, the Renegade — Gen. Anthony Wayne, the 
"Chief Who Never Sleeps" — Celebrated Treaty of Greenville — General Arthur St. Clair — 
St. Clair's Defeat — Tecitmseh, the Most Gifted American Indian — Tecumseh's Death — 
Tecmnseh's High Ideals of Justice — Capt. Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohazvks and 
Head of the Iroquois Confederation — Cornstalk, Sachem of the Shawnees and King of 
the Northern Confederation — Gcronimo, the Worst Indian that ever Lived, Apache Chief 
— Tarhe, Chief of the Wyandots — The Indian of Today — Haskell Institute — Carlisle In- 
dian School — Logan's Speech — Villainy of the Government's Indian Agents — Sprague's 
View of the Indian and His Destiny. 



It is not a difficult task to imagine Fairfield 
county and all of Ohio, the home and happy 
hunting grounds of the red man of the forest. 
The time is not so far back on the page of 
history. This county abounded in game of all 
kinds and the means of easily acquired sub- 
sistence. Over what are now the clean farms, 
the villages and the city, "the Indian hunter 
pursued the panting deer" and "the council 
fire glared on the wise and the daring." 

The men who fought their way to civiliza- 
tion in the wilderness of Ohio have a lasting 
place in our hearts. All honor to the scout, 
the Indian fighter and the pioneer! They 
blazed the way through the forest, brake and 
fen; they crossed the stream, and fixed the 
mountain path, and their sons and daughters 
live to bless the soil today. 

The Indian is gone from our county, 
pushed aside by that relentless tide of ever-ad- 
vancing civilization. "It is an edict issued 
from the Court of Progress, that ferocious 
Titan who strides from East to West, that 



the Indian shall disappear, shall be remanded 
to the Past, shall evanish." 

But not so the names of those who stood 
the shock of battle. 

SIMON KENTON 

Among those who sacrificed a lifetime to 
the cause of civilization, none stands out so 
plainly upon the horizon of liberty and law as 
Simon Kenton, the intrepid scout and friend 
of the white man. In the early days of Indian 
occupation it was very necessary that some 
brave spirit protect and guide the lonely set- 
tler. Simon Kenton was born to this duty, 
and no man in any avenue of life ever per- 
formed his part with greater fidelity. 

Leaving his early boyhood home in Vir- 
ginia, April 6, 1 77 1, after an unfortunate 
quarrel with a rival for the hand of a worthy 
young woman, Simon Kenton traveled to 
Kentucky. Here he became interested in all 
that aided the settlers in their struggles with 
wild nature and the still wilder red man of 



48 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



49 



the forest. Through the long fight of the 
pioneers for possession of the soil, Kenton 
was ever the leader, and his services as scout 
and spy, at the head of every force sent 
against the cruel savages, were never fully 
recognized or rewarded. True, a tardy ac- 
knowledgment of his services to the country 
came in 1824, when the Government granted 
him a pension of $20 per month. He was then 
69 years old and was living quietly on his lit- 
tle farm in Logan county, Ohio, near Zanes- 
field. 

In his various expeditions against the In- 
dians, Kenton passed much time in Fairfield 
county, Ohio, then an unorganized part of the 
State. He was often sent on secret missions 
by officers of the army to learn the location 
and strength of Indian tribes and Indian vil- 
lages. On one occasion, being sent by Col. 
Bowman to learn the strength of a town on 
the Little Miami, he was captured, thrown 
prone upon the ground and made to stretch 
his arms to their full length. The Indians 
then placer! a strong pole across his breast, 
extending to either hand, and another at right 
angles from head to foot. His wrists and 
ankles were fastened with thongs to these 
poles, and then he was fastened to a sapling 
near by. So tight were these fastenings made 
that he could not move hand or foot. The In- 
dian boys and women slapped, cuffed and 
kicked him all the while. After many hours 
of suffering he was tied to the back of a fine 
young colt, and, Mazeppa-like, turned loose 
in the forest. The colt ran through bushes 
and underbrush, then quieted down and trav- 
eled along with the other horses. 

After three days of this kind of travel, the 
band arrived at Chillicothe. now Old Town, 
on the Little Miami in Green county, where 
he was made to run the gauntlet. This was 
a most trying ordeal, as the line of warriors. 



men, women and children, armed with knives, 
clubs and tomahawks, extended a quarter of 
a mile. But he reached the goal without a 
fatal blow. 

A council of war was then held to decide 
whether they would burn bun at the stake or 
carry him to the other villages. After the 
speeches were made the vote was taken. It 
was done by means of a war club, which was 
passed from one to the other in solemn coun- 
cil, and those who voted to burn him hit the 
ground a violent blow with the club, and those 
who voted to carry him to the next village 
simply passed the club to the next warrior. A 
teller was appointed to count the votes. He 
was no to be burned at the stake then, but 
carried on to another village on the Mad river. 

On another occasion his life was saved by 
that renegade, Simon Girty, who in 1775, left 
the people of his own race and took up his 
abode with the Indians. That was the noblest 
act of Girty, whom all nations despised as a 
traitor and distrusted as a man. Girty and 
Kenton had been companion scouts in the 
Dunmore expedition, and thus they had be- 
come warm friends. (See "Dunmore's War," 
Chap. II.) 

On leaving Virginia after the unfortunate 
event referred to, Kenton had changed his 
name to Butler. When Girty was told by his 
captive that his name was Simon Butler, at 
once recognized his old friend, and at great 
peril to himself, saved Kenton from a terrible 
death by fire. 

Kenton w as now allowed to go free, though 
not to leave the tribe. Subsequently he was 
again placed in thongs and by a vote of the 
war council he was. in spite of all Girty could 
do, condemned to die at the stake. He was 
at once seized and hurried off to the north- 
ward. On this march he was struck with an 
ax by an Indian and his arm broken. At a 



50 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



village on the Scioto, where they halted, Ken- 
ton saw the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan, 
the murder of whose relatives had caused 
Dunmore's war. Logan was an eloquent 
speaker and his speech on the death of his 
friends has become common property of all 
who love justice and liberty. 

Logan treated Kenton kindly and told him 
that it was the plan to carry him to Sandusky 
and burn him there. But Logan really se- 
cured his safe conduct to Detroit where, it 
was argued, the British commander wanted 
to talk to him about Kentucky, information 
of which the latter greatly desired. After a 
short time he secured his release from De- 
troit, and in company with two other men, 
made his way back to Louisville in safety. 
This journey through the unbroken forest re- 
' quired 30 days, and it was fraught with con- 
stant danger. Only the consummate skill of 
a backwoodsman like Kenton could have ac- 
complished it. 

From this time on he took part in many 
campaigns and was a most valuable aid to 
Wayne's army, always leading the scouting 
party in front of the army. He was made a 
major by General Wayne and commanded a 
troop of 150 cavalrymen. He fought in all 
of Wayne's great battles, except in the battle 
of the Fallen Timber. In 1805 Kenton was 
made general of militia. He was in the thick- 
est of the fight of the Battle of the Thames, in 
Canada, where Proctor was overcoine, and in 
which Tecumseh fell, shot by Johnson. 

Kenton in 42 years, since he came to Ohio 
and Kentucky from Virginia, had run the 
gauntlet, according to the historian Marshall, 
13 times, and three times had been tied to the 
stake to be burned. 

Prof. R. W. McFarland, the distinguished 
mathematician and scholar, in his excellent 



sketch of Kenton, closes thus : "And in these 
42 years the battles, sieges, skirmishes, raids, 
marauding excursions, alone, or in company 
with others, are numbered by the score not to 
say by the hundred, and most probably his 
career has never had a parallel on this conti- 
nent or on any other. 'His like we ne'er shall 
see again.' " 

The great scout died April 29, 1836, on his 
farm at Wapatomica, in Logan county, Ohio, 
and was there buried. After 50 years his re- 
mains were taken to Urbana, Ohio, and there 
he sleeps today, amid the scenes of his earlier 
and e\entful life. 

The following account of his personality 
and of his tomb is quoted from Professor 
McFarland's "Simon Kenton." 

"Personal characteristics. — In Collin's 
"History of Kentucky,' edition of 1847, p. 
393, we find this: 'The following is a de- 
scription of the appearance and character of 
this remarkable man, by one (McDonald), 
who often shared with him in the dangers of 
the forest and the fight. General Kenton was 
of fair complexion, six feet, one inch in 
height. He stood and walked very erect ; and 
in the prime of life weighed about 190 pounds. 
He never was inclined to be corpulent, al- 
though of sufficient fullness to form a grace- 
ful person. He had a soft tremulous voice, 
very pleasing to the hearer. He had laughing 
gray eyes, which appeared to fascinate the 
beholder, and dark auburn hair. He was a 
pleasant, good humored and obliging compan- 
ion. When excited, or provoked to anger 
(which was seldom the case), the fiery glance 
of his eye would almost curdle the blood of 
those with whom he came in contact. His 
rage, when roused, was a tornado. 

" 'In his dealing he was perfectly honest : 
his confidence in man, and his credulity were 




From McRIastt't's U. S. History 

INDIAN ATTACKING A 
FRONTIERSMAN 




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SIMON KENTON 



A TYPICAL INDIAN 




\i "■ .^.H- ., .r.-.,^ . .- -. -AST;i>^. 



MONUMENT TO SIMON KENTON, AT 
UBBANA, OHIO 




CHIEF TARHE 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



53 



such that the same man might cheat him 
twenty times and, if he still professed friend- 
ship, might cheat him again.' 

"Tiie correctness of this description could 
be affirmed by all who knew the man ; and in 
addition to this description, he had a sense of 
justice and fair play, which nothing could turn 
aside. In the course of the war of 1812 some 
friendly Indians came to the vicinity of Ur- 
bana on legitimate business, and some men, 
inexperienced in the matter of Indian war- 
fare, proposed to kill these men, considering 
all Indians bad. Kenton attempted to dis- 
suade the men from so high handed a meas- 
ure, but his words apparently not having the 
desired effect on them, he grasped his rifle and 
took his position in front of the Indians, and 
in his impressive and emphatic manner de- 
clared that whoever attacked the Indians 
would do it over his dead body. It is suffi- 
cient to say that the Indians were not further 
molested. 

"As before stated, his long contest with the 
Indians had taught him the value of quick de- 
cision and instantaneous action ; and these 
things he had so long practiced that they be- 
came a part of his nature. I will give one in- 
stance outside of the domain of war. In the 
spring of 1807 my father and eight or ten 
other men, with their families, left the coun- 
ties of Bourbon and Harrison, Kentucky, for 
homes in the Mad River Valley. Simon Ken- 
ton was employed by the company to pilot 
them to their destination and to procure them 
a supply of fresh meat daily from the fqf- 
est. He gave his instructions for the day each 
morning, before he started out for the bunt. 
One morning, with gun on shoulder, he 
started, and by some inadvertence stumbled 
over a wagon tongue and fell sprawling to the 
ground. One of the party broke into a hearty 
laugh. This enraged Kenton, and quick as 



lightning he pointed his gun and pulled the 
trigger, but the fall had knocked the powder 
out of the pan and the gun was not discharged. 
Kenton immediately begged pardon for his 
hasty action, and asked the man never to do 
so again, lest in a moment of anger he might 
do what everybody would regret. My father 
was a witness to this incident and told me of 
it years before Simon's death. 

"Monument — This is a substantial struct- 
ure, seven or eight feet high and over four feet 
square at the base ; and in every way is a most 
befitting memorial of the dead. In the forests 
of Ohio Kenton had confronted Indians, 
bears, wolves and panthers. On the south 
face of the monument is carved, life-size, the 
head of an Indian chief, decked out in regular 
savage style ; on the west face is the head of a 
bear, as life-like as stone can be, and appear- 
ing as if the head has just been thrust 
through the face of stone; on the north side is 
the head of a wolf similarly carved; and on 
the east side is the head of a panther. The de- 
sign is by J. Q. A. Ward, the celebrated 
sculptor, now of New York, but a native of 
Urbana. His grandfather originally owned 
the land on which Urbana is built, and for 
many years the elder Ward and Kenton were 
intimate friends. 

SIMON GIRTY 

The world hates a renegade. It despises 
the man who turns against his own flesh and 
blood, and stands ready to slay the mother 
who gave him birth. Such a man, or friend, 
was Simon Girty, once the friend of the white 
man. I'roni his own people he turned and 
took up his lot with the Indian. His bloody 
work was done in Ohio, and especially in 
southwestern Ohio. Doubtless in many parts 
of this county of Fairfield Girty tracked to 
death his white victims, or danced with his 



54 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



dusky companions around the helpless victim 
at the burning stake. 

Simon Girty was born in 1741, in north- 
western Pennsylvania, of an intemperate 
father and an unworthy mother. He had three 
brothers, one older than himself. The three 
younger boys had been taken captive by the 
Indians and thus became possessed of the sav- 
agery of the Indian himself. Simon was the 
most wicked of the three thus reared in the 
midst of the wild life of the forest. He pre- 
ferred to live with the savages rather than with 
his own people. He took an active part in 
Dunmore's war in 1774, and here he met Si- 
mon Kenton and the two young men soon be- 
came fast friends. On February 22, 1775, at 
Fort Pitt (Pittsburg) Girty was commissioned 
a captain in the militia. But his real sympa- 
thies were all the while with the Indians. Fi- 
nally in company with about 14 others, Girty 
deserted Fort Pitt, where the militia was sta- 
tioned, and started out for a reign of terror 
among the settlers of the wild frontier. They 
spread false news of the defeat of the Amer- 
icans and the death of Washington. After 
much injury and suffering which he inflicted 
upon the helpless pioneers, Girty started for 
Detroit. On the way he was captured by the 
Wyandottes. The Senecas demanded that he 
be given up to them because he was an adopted 
son of their race and had now taken up arms 
against them. But the Wyandottes held him 
and finally allowed him to go on to Detroit, 
where General Hamilton, the commandant, 
gave him a royal welcome. Girty was now 
given a kind of work which suited his nature 
exactly, — he was paid a regular salary to in- 
cite the Indians to bloody deeds among the un- 
protected settlers. His name became a house- 
hold word for terror all along the Ohio, from 
Pittsburg to Louisville. He often came up 
into Ohio and here, in Fairfield county, he did 



his deeds of darkness. At the Indian village 
of W apatumica, in Logan county, Girty found 
his old friend and companion scout in Dun- 
more's war, Simon Kenton, tied to the stake 
and condemned to death. Girty recognized 
Kenton, and, after much parley and a per- 
sonal appeal to his Indian friends, saved Ken- 
ton's life. This appears to be the one bright 
spot on Girty's dark career. Kenton after- 
ward bought a small farm near this scene of 
his deliverance, and lived here until his death. 
But Girty's numberless acts of torture and 
even of murder cling to his name and his one 
good act is almost forgotten. He persecuted 
the settlers of the valley and the missionaries, 
who had worked so zealously among the Chris- 
tian Indians of the Moravian settlements. 

His conduct toward Col. Crawford could 
only have been inspired by a monstrosity in 
human form, and when the Indians of the 
great West combined in one last effort, 1790- 
94, to repel the ever-increasing tide of immi- 
gration, Simon Girty was found among the 
Indians fighting against the whites. He as- 
sisted them at the battle of St. Clair's defeat, 
and having captured a white woman, refused to 
give her up to the Wyandotte squaw who de- 
manded her, according to the Indian custom. 
But the warriors p-athered around, and actually 
forced tiie white savage to give her over to the 
more humane Indian squaw. 

He was present at the famous battle of the 
Fallen Timber, 1794, and did bloody work 
against Wayne's heroes. After this he is 
found in a trading-house for a short time at 
St. Mary's, Mercer county, Ohio. He then 
removed to Maiden. Canada. Here he lived 
until his death, which occurred February 18, 
1 818 (Butterfield). He was totally blind for 
many years before his death and a perfect sot. 
He had many defeats in his old age and suf- 
fered very greatly; in fact he was a complete 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



55 



human wreck, despised by everyone. "He died 
without a friend and without a hope." 

In a general summing up of Girty's charac- 
ter, by the author of "Girty, the White In- 
dian," it is said that no estimate can be iilhcr 
correct or just which does not take into ac- 
count the influence which caijtivity and savage 
training had upon it. This is true, but it is cer- 
tain also that too much stress is here put on the 
effect of that influence. "How powerful it 
was," says that writer, "is shown by the sig- 
nificant facts that it not only effaced the nat- 
ural antipathy for the destroyers of his par- 
ents, but so perverted his normal instinct of 
race that he was never again in full sympathy 
with his own people, while, as far as known, 
he was always true to the Indians, and re- 
tained their confidence and friendship to the 
end of his days." 

"The early settlers," continues the same au- 
thor, "knowing that he was a white man by 
birth, but ignorant of his captivity and its ef- 
fects, very naturally hated and despised him 
as a renegade. The term, however, does not 
apply to him in its infamous sense as it applies 
to Elliott and McKee, who had nothing what- 
ever in common with the Indians, while Girty 
was one of them in almost everything but 
complexion. He was more of a savage than 
a renegade ; more of a Brandt than an Elliott ; 
and took part in the forays and outrages 
against the whites, not with the cowardice and 
mean malice of an outcast, but as a leader of 
his adopted people, and with the bravery and 
open hatred of an Indian. He was substan- 
tially an Indian ; was neither better nor worse 
than an Indian and should in the main be 
judged as such." 

GEN. ANTHONY WAYNE 

This famous general was of good old Penn- 
sylvania stock, in which state he was. born in 



1745. Much of his history has already been 
narrated in other chapters. Like Washing- 
ton he early accepted work as a surveyor, then 
a public oftice. He was made a member of 
the State Legislature and of the Committee of 
Public Safety. He commanded a regiment in 
the Canadian invasion of 1775-76. At a inost 
critical time he had full charge of the Ticon- 
deroga forts, and he manned them with great 
skill. For this and other meritorious work he 
was appointed brigadier general, and was in 
charge of a division of the army at Brandy- 
wine. Here it was that his skill and bravery 
saved the lives of so many by the successful 
retreat which he conducted. It is sometimes 
a mark of greater skill to handle men in a re- 
treat, when excited and repulsed, than to make 
a successful attack. 

Because of his supreme caution and watch- 
fulness, the Indians called him "The Chief 
who Never Sleeps." But he was surprised at 
Paoli, and the lesson there learned he never 
forgot. It will be remembered that he com- 
manded the right wing at Germantown. where 
General Agnew fell. He was also a valiant 
fighter at the Battle of Monmouth Court 
House, noted as the only battle of the Revolu- 
tion in which every one of the thirteen colo- 
nies had representatives fighting on the Amer- 
ican side. The name of Mollie Pitcher will 
never be forgotten in connection with this bat- 
tle. But the most famous exploit of his ear- 
lier career was the consummate plan and its 
execution in the storming and capture of 
Stony Point, July 15, 1779. Only a general 
of high order could have accomplished such a 
hazardous task. But he planned and then exe- 
cuted. Wayne was ever a man of action ; the 
doing was with him the highest essential. He 
further showed his remarkable ability in han- 
dling men in putting down the mutiny of 
troops at Morristown ; and he had a most hon- 



56 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



orable part in the war in Virginia in 1781, 
the same year in which he quieted the mutiny. 
He served with distinction in Georgia in 1782, 
and was made a member of the ratifying con- 
vention of Pennsylvania in 1787. 

After the fearful slaughter of the troops at 
Fort Recovery, and the utter overthrow of St. 



The Indians thus far had been keeping in 
hiding and had not risked a battle. But Wayne 
soon learned that they had selected a place 
lower down the Maumee, at the Fallen Tim- 
ber, and here it was that he inflicted upon them 
a most crushing blow, August 20, 1794. (See 
Chapter II.) 




Courtesy Macmillau Co. 



FLAT BOAT ON THE OHIO 
[Coman 's Industrial History of United States] 



Clair, Washington at once selected General 
Wayne to lead the forces of the young repub- 
lic against the crafty fighters of the Western 
forests. He was made major general in 1792, 
and in the autunm of 1793 he entered the In- 
dian country with a strong force. He marched 
from Fort Washington (Cincinnati) to the 
present site of Greenville, where he built a 
strong stockade. The next summer he ad- 
vanced to Defiance on the Maumee, where, as 
related in Chapter II. he built Fort Defiance. 
He built a second fort on the St. Mary's river. 



General \Vayne sent a message to the Brit- 
ish at the nearest station that their turn came 
next; all he wanted was an opening. But the 
British declined the honor and kept quiet. 

TREATY OF GREENVILLE 

He then took up his winter quarters at 
Greenville and. in the following summer, 1795, 
the Indians, now subdued and humble, came to 
Greenville and entered into the celebrated 
treaty ^\ ith General Wayne and commissioners 
of the United States. Twelve tribes with 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



57 



1,200 warriors and sachems were present, and 
they ceded to the government 25,000 square 
mlies of territory in Michigan and Indiana, 
besides a large number of special tracts. For 
this land they received $20,000 in presents, 
and were promised an annual allowance of 
$10,000. This treaty ended the serious In- 
dian troubles until 1812. General Wayne's 
name has been given to the fort he erected at 
the head waters of the Maumee, and to the 
growing and prosperous city of Fort Wayne, 
and to numerous places in the country. He 
died in 1796. 

GEN. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR 

This distinguished general was born in 
Scotland in 1734. His education was by no 
means neglected, and after a long course of 
instruction he graduated from the University 
of Edinburgh. After his graduation he joined 
the British army as an ensign and came to 
America in 1758 with Admiral Boscawen. 
His service in the United States was very 
marked, especially at Louisburg and at Que- 
bec. In 1762 he resigned his position, and 
two years later took up his residence in Penn- 
sylvania. He was prominent in the civil af- 
fairs of his home, and was greatly beloved by 
his neighbors. 

When the Revolutionary War broke out his 
inclination toward the common people caused 
him to join the Colonial army and he was 
given the rank of colonel. The student of his- 
tory well remembers his gallant services at 
Three rivers, Trenton and Princeton, for 
which services he was raised to the rank of 
major general in 1777, and was at once placed 
in command at Saratoga. Burgoyne finally 
drove him from that stronghold, and although 
he was court-martialed for losing that posi- 
tion, he was acquitted of any blame. Never- 
theless he lost his command. He was too pa- 



triotic to give up the work of a soldier, so he 
remained in the army as a volunteer, and 
gradually rose to other important positions. 
He distinguished himself in the plans which 
ended with the surrender of Cornwallis. His 
broad scholarship and statesmanlike qualities 
made him a member of the Continental Con- 
gress. 1785-87. 

A still greater honor awaited him, viz: he 
was made president of that noted Congress in 
1787. He was president also of the Pennsyl- 
vania State Society of the Cincinnati and was 
the man who gave the name of that society to 
the great city on the Ohio river, viz: Cincin- 
nati. 

In 1789 he was made the first governor of 
the Northwest Territory, and in 1791, as the 
Commander-in-Chief of the United States 
army, he led his forces against the Miami In- 
dians, and met witli the most disastrous defeat 
in all the story of the early Indian warfare, at 
Fort Recovery, Mercer county, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 4, 1791. 

Washington had commanded General St. 
Clair not to risk an open engagement with the 
Indians until he was perfectly sure of his 
ground. It would seem that St. Clair dis- 
obeyed these orders and rushed into the fight 
without proper precautions. The defeat re- 
sulted in a most humiliating loss of power and 
the complete overthrow of his own military 
renown. 

General Washington was said to have l)e- 
come greatly enraged at the news of St. Clair's 
defeat, and flying into a passion, he used very 
strong language against the unfortunate gen- 
eral who had disobeyed his orders; but when 
St. Clair, disheartened, defeated and suffering 
from rheumatism, appeared before Washing- 
ton, it is said that the great general relented 
and forgave him. 

The comnn'ttce of Congress, engaged to in- 



58 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



vestigate the defeat, exhonerated him, but St. 
Clair's heart was broken, and with great dis- 
appointment to himself and his friends, he re- 
signed his command in May, 1792, and in 
1802 President Jefferson removed him from 
the governorship of the Northwest Territory. 

The last years of many a great man have 
been spent in poverty and neglect, and the life 
of St. Clair is no exception to this statement. 
There was no sustaining hand to lighten the 
burden of his rapidly increasing age; there 
was no fortune at his command. Friends did 
not come at his beck and call, and after long 
years of suffering and unwarranted neglect on 
the part of the government, he died in 1818. 

The schoolboy, as well as the adult reader, 
will ever remember "St. Clair's defeat," rather 
than St. Clair's many victories, and splendid 
services. 

TECUMSEH 

Or "The Shooting Star," Famous War Chief 
of the Shawnees, Organizer of the Sec- 
ond Great Indian Confederation and 
General in the British Army in 
the War of 181 2 

In all the annals of Indian warfare and life 
there is no name more prominent than that of 
the manly, honest, noble chief, Tecumseh. 

He was born, says tradition, near the pres- 
ent site of Springfield, Ohio, in 1768. The 
tribe from which he sprang was a branch of 
the very powerful and widely distributed 
Lenni Lenape, or Delaware race. Long ago 
this branch had settled in the South, whence 
their name, Shawnees, or "Southerners." 

These Shawnees became involved in bitter 
war with the Creeks and Yamosees of Geor- 
gia and Florida. In consequence they drifted 
north to the rich valleys of the Ohio, — the Mi- 
amis, the Hocking, and the Wabash and the 



Maumee. They had many large villages in 
these valleys, and in one of these villages Te- 
cumseh was born. His mother was a Chero- 
kee woman, and it is said gave birth to trip- 
lets — Tecumseh, his celebrated brother, the 
Prophet, and a third brother of whom nothing 
definite is known. The father was killed at 
the battle of Kanawha, October 10, 1774, 
when Lord Dunmore defeated Chiefs Corn- 
stalk and Logan. 

Tecumseh believed that the whites were 
wrongfully encroaching upon the Indians' 
lands, and like Pontiac, he sought to organize 
all the western Indians into a confederacy 
against the white settlers. To protect these 
settlers. General Harrison, governor of the 
Northwest Territory, who had ordered the In- 
dians to go west, marched an army against 
them, and at the village of the Prophet, at the 
mouth of the Tippecanoe, he defeated the In- 
dians with great loss. Tecumseh was not in 
the battle. He had gone south and when he 
returned and had learned what his brother, the 
Prophet, had done, he became very angry. He 
had expressly urged the Indians not to risk a 
battle then, but the Prophet, who had great 
influence, had planned the night attack upon 
Harrison, after asking Harrison to meet him 
in a "talk" the next day. This conduct of his 
brother so enraged Tecumseh that he "seized 
him by his long hair and shook him till his 
teeth rattled, declaring that he had destroyed 
all his schemes and that he ought to be killed." 
This battle was fought November 7, 181 1. 

The War of 181 2 now broke out and Te- 
cumseh and his faithful band of Shawnees al- 
lied themselves with the British. He rendered 
most valuable service in the battles of Raisin 
river and Maguaga; also at Fort Maiden and 
Fort Meigs. For valiant service the British 
raised him to the rank of brigadier general. 
On the 5th of October, 1813, this warrior 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



59 



chief was killed in the battle of the Thames, 
Canada. 

Tecumseh was the most gifted American 
Indian. He would have been a great man in 
any age and in any country. He had the rare 
gift of natural eloquence and such a high ideal 
of manly noble conduct that he would never 
torture a prisoner or permit it to be done. He 
put to shame the conduct of his superior offi- 
cer, General Proctor, when he dashed into a 
party of his warriors at the siege of Fort 
Meigs, who were torturing some white prison- 
ers, and, hurling them right and left, he 
turned to General Proctor and demanded why 
he allowed such murderous conduct. Proctor 
replied, "I cannot restrain your warriors." 
Tecumseh then thundered back, "You are not 
fit to command; go home and put on petti- 
coats." 

He had great powers as an artist and could 
draw a map in relief on bark, which the best 
English engineers pronounced equal to their 
own best work. He was born to command 
and had far more ability as a general than 
Proctor. His lofty ideas of honesty and honor 
have endeared him to the American people, 
and they have placed his name all over the 
country, and it was one of the given names of 
the great general who led the march "from 
Atlanta to the Sea," Gen. William Tecumseh 
Sherman, whose life and deeds have brought 
such signal honor to Fairfield county. 

While it is not really known who killed the 
great warrior, the following, taken from 
Knapp's "History of the Maumee Valley," 
will be of marked interest : 

State of Michigan. County of Monroe, ss. 

James Knaggs deposeth and saith, as follows : 
I was attached to a company of mounted 
men called Rangers, at the Battle of the 
Thames in Upper Canada, in the year 1813. 
During the battle we charged into the 
swamp, where several of our horses mired 



down, and an order was given to retire to 
the hard ground in our rear, which we did. 
The Indians in front, believing that we were 
retreating, immediately advanced upon us 
with Tecumseh at their head. I distinctly 
heard his voice, with which I was perfectly 
familiar. He yelled like a tiger and urged on 
his braves to the attack. We were then but 
a few yards apart. We halted on the hard 
ground and continued our fire. After a few 
minutes of very severe fighting, I discovered 
Colonel Johnson lying near, on the groiuid, 
with one leg confined by the body of his white 
mare, which had been killed and fallen on 
him. My friend Medard Labadie was with 
me. We went up to the Colonel, with whom 
we were previously acquainted, and found 
him badly wounded, lying on his side, with 
one of his pistols lying in his hand. I saw 
Tecumseh at the same time, lying on his 
face, dead, and about fifteen or twenty feet 
from the Colonel. He was stretched at full 
length, and was shot through the body, I 
think near the heart. The ball went out 
through his back. He held his tomahawk in 
his right hand (it had a brass pipe on the head 
of it), his arm was extended as if in strik- 
ing, and the edge of the tomahawk was stuck 
in the ground. Tecumseh was dressed in red 
speckled leggings, and a fringed hunting 
shirt ; he lay stretched directly toward Colonel 
Johnson. When we went up to the Colonel 
we offered to help him. He replied with 
great animation, "Knaggs, let me lay here and 
push on and take Proctor." However, we 
liberated him from his dead horse, took his 
blanket from his saddle, placed him in it, and 
bore him off the field. I had known Tecum- 
seh from my boyhood ; we were boys to- 
gether. Tliere was no other Indian killed im- 
mediately around where Colonel Johnson or 
Tecumseh lay, though there were many near 
the creek, a few rods back of where Tecumseh 
fell. I had no doubt then, and have none 
now. that Tecumseh fell by the hand of Col- 
onel Johnson. j^j^^ Knaggs. 

Sworn to before me, this 22d day of Septem- 
ber. 18^3. B. F. H. Witherell, Notary 
Public. ' 



60 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



"The secretary of the State Historical So- 
ciety of Wisconsin, Mr. Draper, adds the fol- 
lowing to the deposition of Mr. Knaggs : 

■' 'Colonel Johnson was invariably modest 
about claiming the honor of having slain Te- 
cuniseh. When I paid him a visit, at his resi- 
dence at the Great Crossings, in Kentucky, in 
1844, while collecting facts and materials il- 
lustrative of the career of Clark, Boone, Ken- 
ton, and other Western pioneers, he exhibited 
to me the horse pistols he used in the battle of 
the Thames, and modestly remarked, "that 
with them he shot the chief who had con- 
fronted and wounded him in the engage- 
ment.' " 

"Alluding to Captain Knaggs' statement, 
the Louisville Journal remarked : 'A new wit- 
ness has appeared in the newspapers testifying 
to facts which tend to show that Col. R. M. 
Johnson killed Tecumseh. The colonel was 
certainly brave enough to meet and kill a 
dozen Indians, and if he didn't kill Tecumseh. 
he no doubt would have done it if he had had 
a chance. He himself was often interrogated 
on the subject and his reply upon at least one 
occasion was cai^ital : 'They say I killed him ; 
how could I tell ? I was in too much of a 
hurry, when he was advancing upon me, to 
ask him for his name, or inquire after the 
health of his family. I fired as quick as con- 
venient, and he fell. If it had been Tecumseh 
or the Prophet, it would ha\'e been all the 
same." ' " 

"Shortly after the foregoing publication, 
Mr. VVitherell communicated the following to 
a Detroit journal: 

" 'Captain Knaggs, who is spoken of in that 
communication, is a highly respectable citizen 
of Monroe, and was one of the most active 
and useful partisans in service during the War 
of i<Sr2. .\lmost innumerable and miraculous 



were his hairbreadth 'scapes from the sav- 
ages." 

CHARACTER OF TECUMSEH 

"He related to me when I last saw him, sev- 
eral anecdotes of Tecumseh, which will illus- 
trate his character. Among others, he states 
that while the enemy was in full possession of 
the country, Tecumseh, with a large band of 
his warriors, visited the Raisin. The inhabit- 
ants along that river had been stripped of 
nearly every means of subsistence. Old Mr. 
Rivard, who was lame and unable to labor to 
procure a living for himself and family, had 
contrived to keep out of sight of the wander- 
ing bands of savages a pair of oxen, with 
which his son was al)le to procure a scanty 
support for the family. It so happened that, 
while at labor with the oxen, Tecumseh, who 
had come over from Maiden, met him in the 
road, and walking up to him said. "My friend, 
I must have those oxen." 

" Young Rivard remonstrated. He told the 
chief that if he took the oxen his father would 
starve to death. 

" 'Well,' said Tecumseh, 'we are the con- 
(juerors, and everything we want is ours. I 
must have the oxen ; my people must not 
starve ; but I will not be so mean as to rob you 
of them. I will pay you one hundred dollars 
for them and that is far more than they are 
worth ; but we must have them." 

" "Tecumseh got a white man to write an 
order on the British Indian agent. Colonel El- 
liott, who was on the river some distance be- 
low, for the money. The oxen were killed, 
large fires built, and the forest warriors were 
soon feasting on their flesh. Young Rivard 
took the order to Colonel Elliott, who 
promptly refused to pay it. The young man, 
with a sorrowful heart, returned with the an- 
swer to Tecumseh. wlio said, "He won't pay it. 



AND REPRESEXTAl'IVE CITIZENS 



61 



will he? Stay all night and tomorrow we will 
go and see." On the next morning he took 
young Rivard and went down to see the Col- 
onel. On meeting him he said. "Do you re- 
fuse to pay for the oxen I hought?" "Yes," 
said the Colonel, and he reiterated the reason 



came to fight the battles of the great King, 
they had enough to eat, for which they had 
only to thank the Master of Life and their 
good rifles. Their hunting grounds supplied 
them w ith food enough, to them they can re- 
turn." This threat produced a change in the 




Courtesy Macmillan Co, — Comaii 



ri;AVKl.I\(i BY PACKET BOAT OX ERTE CANAL 



for the refusal. "1 ])ou;;lit them," said the 
chief, "for my young men were very hungry. 
I promised to pay for them, and they shall he 
paid for. I have always heard that white na- 
tions went to war with each otliL-r, and not 
with peaceful individuals: that they did not 
rob and plunder poor people. I will not." 
"Well," said the Colonel. "T will not pay for 
them." "\\>u can do as you i)lease," said the 
chief, "hut before Tecumseh and his warriors 



Culunel's mind. The defection of the great 
chief, he well knew, would immediately with- 
draw all the nations of the red men from the 
r.ritish service, and without them they were 
nearlv powerless on the frontier. "Well," 
.said the Colonel, "if I must pay, I will." 
"Give me hard money," said Tecumseh. "not 
rag money" (army bills). The Colonel then 
counted out a hundred dollars in coin and gave 
them to him. The chief handed the money to 



62 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



young Rivard, and then said to the Colonel, 
"Give me one dollar more." It was given; 
and handing that also to Rivard, he said, 
"Take that; it will pay for the time you have 
lost in getting your money." 

" 'How many white warriors have such no- 
tions of justice? 

" 'Before the commencement of the war, 
when his hunting parties approached the white 
settlements, horses and cattle were occasion- 
ally stolen; but notice to the chief failed not 
to procure instant redress. 

" 'The character of Tecumseh was that of a 
gallant and intrepid warrior, an honest and 
honorable man, and his memory is respected 
by all our old citizens who personally knew 
him.' 

"The following letter from the venerable 
General Combs, of Kentucky, who bore so gal- 
lant a part in the defenses of the Ohio and the 
Maumee valley, has both local and general in- 
terest : 

Editor Historical Record: 

You ask me for a description of the cele- 
brated Indian warrior, Tecumseh, from my 
personal observation. I answer that I never 
saw the great chief but once, and then under 
rather exciting circumstances, but I have a 
vivid recollection of him from his appear- 
ance, and from intercourse with his personal 
friends, I am possessed of accurate knowledge 
of his character. 

I was, as you know, one of the pioneers 
taken at what is known as Dudley's defeat 
on the banks of the Maumee river, opposite 
Fort Meigs, early in May, 1813. Tecumseh 
had fallen upon our rear, and we were com- 
pelled to surrender. We were marched down 
to the old Fort Miami or Maumee, in squads, 
where a terrible scene awaited us. 

The Indians, fully anned with guns, war 
clubs and tomahawks — to say nothing of 
scalping knives — had formed themselves into 
two lines in front of the gateway between 
which all of us were bound to pass. Many 



were killed or wounded in running the gaunt- 
let. Shortly after the prisoners had entered 
the Indians rushed over the walls and again 
surrounded us, and raised the war whoop, at 
the same time making unmistakable demon- 
strations of violence. We all expected to be 
massacred and the small British guard around 
us were utterly unable to afford protection. 
They called loudly for General Proctor and 
Colonel Elliott to come to our relief. At this 
critical moment Tecumseh came rushing in, 
deeply excited, and denounced the murderers 
of prisoners as cowards. Thus our lives were 
spared and we went down to the fleet at the 
mouth of Swan creek (now Toledo), and 
from that place across the end of the lake to 
Huron and paroled. 

I shall never forget the noble countenance, 
gallant bearing and sonorous voice of that re- 
markable man, while addressing his warriors 
in our behalf. 

He was then between forty and forty-five 
years of age. His frame was vigorous and 
robust, but he was not fat, weighing about 
170 pounds. Five feet, ten inches was his 
height. He had a high projecting forehead, 
and broad, open countenance, and there was 
something noble and commanding in all his 
actions. He was brave, humane and gener- 
ous, and never allowed a prisoner to be mas- 
sacred, if he could prevent it. At Fort Miami 
he saved the lives of all of us who had sur- 
vived running the gauntlet. He afterwards 
released seven Shawnees belonging to my 
command and sent them home on parole. Te- 
cumseh was a Shawnee. His name signified 
in their language. Shooting Star. At the time 
when I saw him he held the commission of 
a brigadier general in the British army. I 
am satisfied that he deserved all that was said 
of him by General Cass and Governor Har- 
rison, previous to his death. 

Leslie Combs. 
Lexington, Ky., October, 1871. 

CAPT. JOSEPH BRANT 

This most interesting and remarkable man 
was born in 1742, on the banks of the Ohio, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



63 



and in his early years was frequently in Ohio 
and the Hocking Valley, though his mature 
life was spent largely in Pennsylvania and 
New York. He was one of the Mohawk 
tribe, and one of the strongest of his race. 

"Long ago when the river was broader, and 
the falls more lofty, a feud arose between two 
young chiefs of the respective clans of the 
Mohawk nation, the Wolf and the Tortoise." 
The cause of the trouble was an Indian 
maiden of the Bear totem, to whom each was 
attentive, and each thought himself beloved in 
return. Her father was a stern old warrior 
and loved his child tenderly. Wolf, by his 
more earnest wooing, obtained the hand and 
the heart of the forest maiden. Her decision 
became known to Tortoise and his heart 
burned with jealous rage. He resolved to pre- 
vent their union and, feigning friendship, held 
the confidence of the young girl and of her af- 
fianced. In this way the two rambled in the 
forest and along the streams until the day 
came when Wolf was to carry the prize to his 
wigwam. On that day Tortoise was with her 
alone upon the brink of a river and in a se- 
cluded nook. Tortoise proposed a ride in his 
light canoe, which was near at hand, to a beau- 
tiful little island in the stream, "where the fire- 
flies sparkled and the whippoorwill chanted its 
evening serenade." They started, but Tortoise 
turned his prow toward the cataract and the 
strong arm of the chief directed the little bark 
to the mouth of a cave on the opposite of the 
river, just above the falls. Here he impris- 
oned the maiden, for she could not reach the 
opening far above her which led to the sun- 
light. This retreat was known only to the 
Tortoise. For her comfort the young Indian 
chief made her bed of softest mosses and aro- 
matic twigs and covered them with rare skins 
of deer, beaver and otter. For her food he 
brought her the choicest venison, fowl and 



berries, with occasional delicacies from the 
finny tribes. 

In this lonely spot he kept the maiden for 
many months, while Wolf had given her up as 
forever lost. 

While hunting in the lovely springtime on 
the southern slope of a hill. Wolf saw the ca- 
noe at tne mouth of the cave and at once 
solved the problem. He guided his own canoe 
to the mouth of the cave, entered and there 
dealt a terrible blow on the perfidious Tor- 
toise, slumbering by the side of his unwilling 
bride. The stroke, made in the dim light of 
the cavern, was not fatal, and Tortoise es- 
caped through the upper opening, closed it 
with a huge stone and made good his escape. 

The lovers were now themselves impris- 
oned; it was death to remain, and it seemed 
sure death to go over the cataract, for they 
could not row up that swift running stream. 
They resolved to die by the falls, and, with a 
prayer to the great Spirit, they dashed over 
the crest in their light canoe. The frail vessel 
struck propitiously upon the boiling waters of 
the gulf. Down the stream and on they glided, 
and lived and loved for two generations. "In 
the line of their descent, tradition says, came 
Brant, the Mohawk sachem, the strong Wolf 
of this nation." 

Brant had two brothers, and a beautiful 
sister, who became the wife of Colonel John- 
son, an Englishman of great wealth and 
power. Brant's own father died and his 
mother married an Indian who was called by 
the English, Brant, and thus the stepson was 
called by his father's name. His sister, Mollie 
Brant, used influence with her husband. Col. 
Johnson, to further the interests of her 
brother Joseph, who was sent by Col. Johnson 
to school at Lebanon, Conn., where he was 
placed under an excellent teacher, Rev. 
Eleazer \\'heelock. Young Joseph Brant ad- 



64 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



vanced very rapidly, mastering the English 
readily. Aaron Burr, one of Brant's close 
friends, said he spoke and wrote the English 
perfectly and without an accent. He was of 
great value as an Indian interpreter and was 
often sent on long and dangerous journeys to 
the wild tribes of the West. 

He soon became the leader of the Mohawks 
and directed them in many bloody and success- 
ful combats. He visited England in 1775 and 
was greatly impressed by the number and 
kindness of the English. He was won over 
completely to the side of the English in the 
approaching contest with the colonists. The 
distinguished poet, Campbell, in his noted 
work, "Gertrude of Wyoming," alludes to him 
as "the monster Brant." He was not, how- 
ever, a member of the murderous band of In- 
dians at Wyoming. He had many good traits 
and often saved his helpless victims from 
harm. He was an enthusiastic Freemason and 
in the very midst of an Indian massacre, he 
rescued Major Wood, who had given him the 
Masonic sign of distress. It is generally sup- 
posed that he was present as the leader of 150 
Mohawks, at St. Clair's defeat, though this is 
not fully proven. He had many powerful 
friends, among them Aaron Burr, and Theo- 
dosia Burr, who received him kindly and gave 
a large dinner party for him in New York 
City. He died in 1807 at the age of sixty- four 
years. He was faithful to the Mohawk people 
and to the English, from whom he obtained 
funds for the erection of a schoolhouse and 
a church. This latter was built at Grand 
River and was the first church in Upper Can- 
ada. He sleeps today by the side of that 
church under a monument said to have cost 
$50,000. The monument bears this inscrip- 
tion : "This monument is erected to the mem- 
ory of Thay-en-da-ne-gea, or Capt. Joseph 
Brant, principal chief and warrior of the Six 



Nations Indians, by his fellow subjects, ad- 
mirers of his fidelity and attachment to the 
British crown." 

CORNSTALK 

Sachem of the Shawnees and King of the 

Northern Confederacy, the Eloquent 

Friend of Logan 

A brief account of Dunmore's war has been 
given in Chapter II. It will be remembered 
that one dixision of that army was at Point 
Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha 
under General Andrew Lewis. On the morn- 
ing of Octoljer 10, 1774, the brave and heroic 
Cornstalk led his liand of a thousand warriors 
against the wing of the army, and a "Greek 
meet Greek" contest raged all day, and into 
the night. It was like a series of duals, a 
"man-to-man" contest. This battle was 
purely an American affair — the American 
white man against the American red man. 
Cornstalk was a masterful man. His presence 
encouraged the warriors ; his shrill voice called 
out in his native tongue, "Be Strong! Be 
Strong!" Thej^ fought for twelve hours, when 
darkness put an end to the fight. The Indians 
made a safe retreat across the Ohio, and the 
white men were too much exhausted to follow 
them. Cornstalk conducted the battle so skill- 
fully that not a single chief of importance was 
killed, and their total loss was not more than 
half as many as that of the whites. 

After this battle Cornstalk led his chief war- 
riors to Lord Dunmore's camp in Pickaway 
county, and, being unable to get his warriors 
to continue the fight, he said he would be their 
leader in peace. Cornstalk was the spokesman 
in the council with Lord Dunmore. His great 
eloquence, dignity and unbroken courage pre- 
sented a scene of proud defiance. Logan re- 
mained away from this meeting, saying he 
was a warrior and not a counselor. Cornstalk 




GEEONIMO 



• 

made a manly effort lor better terms, but 
gracefull)' accepted the conclusions of tiie 
treaty, viz : that the Indians were to surrender 
all the white prisoners and stolen horses in 
their possession, to release all claims to lands 
south of the Ohio, and to give hostages for 
their good faith. This chieftain, Cornstalk, 
so impressed the Virginians that they ranked 
his eloquence with that of their own great 
orators, Richard Henry Lee and Patrick 
Henry. 

Wherever you find Cornstalk you will find 
a noble, manly Indian. 

HIS DE.\TH 

He came into the garrison at Point Pleas- 
ant, in the summer of 1777, to tell them that 
he had urged his people to keep the terms of 
the treaty, but his young men insisted upon 
going to war again, and then he added, in an 
open and honest way, that, if they did, he 
would go with them. Thereupon he and three 
others, including his son, Ellinipsico, were 
held as hostages in the fort. While thus held 
the Indians killed a member of a company of 
rangers near this fort. Under their Captain, 
John Hall, an attack upon the Indians in the 
fort was led, and Cornstalk, drawing his 
blanket about him, calmly awaited death, say- 
ing to his son, "The Great Spirit has seen fit 
that we should die together, and has sent you 
to that end. It is well and let us submit." 
Like the Romans of old he then faced his as- 
sassins and fell dead with seven bullets in his 
body. There was no excuse for this murder 
and it remains to this day a lasting shame to 
the American troops. Had he lived, he would 
undoubtedly have been friendly with the 
Americans, for his visit to Point Pleasant was 
to inform the garrison that the Indians were 
planning an attack upon them and that they 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



fif) 



The final resting-place of Cornstalk — whose 
name was conferred upon him by the consent 
of his nation as their great strength and sup- 
port, may be seen today at Point Pleasant, 
where an enduring monument was reared in 
his memory 120 years after the great battle — 
one of the greatest in all Indian warfare — and 
where he was infamously murdered by the 
whites three years later. "There never has 
been and never can be, any excuse or palliation 
for his murder." "Thus perished the mighty 
Cornstalk, a sachem of the Shawnees, and 
King of the Northern Confederacy, in 1774, a 
chief remarkable for many great and good 
qualities. He was disposed to be at all times 
a friend of the white man, as he was ever the 
advocate of honorable peace. But when his 
country's wrongs "called aloud for battle." be 
became the thunderbolt of war. and made her 
oppressors feel the might of his uplifted arm. 
His noble bearing, his generous and disinter- 
ested attachment to the colonies when the 
thunder of British cannon was reverberating 
through the land, his anxiety to preserve the 
frontier of Ohio and \'irginia from desolation 
and death, the object of his visit to Point 
Pleasant — all conspired to win for him the es- 
teem and respect of others while the untimely 
and perfidious manner of his death caused a 
deep and lasting regret to pervade the bosoms, 
even of the enemies of his race and excited the 
just indi,gnation of all toward his inhuman 
and barbarous murderers." 

"chronicles," by withers geronimo 

Of all the mighty chiefs who recently led 
their bands of warriors unmolested over the 
plains and fertile \alleys of North America, 
not one remains alive. The last to die was 
Geronimo, the "Human Tiger." Of all chiefs 
he was the most treacherous and fiendish. His 



were forming an alliance with the Briti.sh. crimes and butcheries are without number. He 



66 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



was the last of his race, this old war chief of 
the White Mountain Apaches. Many thou- 
sands of our people have seen him at one of 
the World's Fairs. 

After Victoria, the Warm Springs chief 
was killed, in 1881, Geronimo became a leader 
and in Mexico and Arizona he kept more than 
2,000 United States troops at bay for over a 
year. He was finally captured and lived a life 
of indolence and assumed piety. It is well that 
this type of the red man is passing. When 
Geronimo was at the height of his power he 
constantly sought human life and taught his 
people to love only the war path. It is said he 
never forgave and never forgot. 

Geronimo was called "The Worst Indian 
that ever Lived." The famous Apache chief, 
Geronimo, was finally captured by death Feb- 
ruary 17, 1909. He was born in 1829, being 
eighty years old at the time of his death. 
When a young man, some strolling bands of 
Mexicans murdered one of his wives and his 
children, while he was away on a hunting ex- 
pedition. Thereupon he gave up his peaceful 
pursuit of farming in the mountain valleys 
and went upon the war path declaring ever 
after that he hated all white men. He cost the 
United States government a million dollars 
to capture him, which capture was finally made 
by General Miles, in 1886. It cost the lives of 
500 American soldiers, and no one will ever 
know how many lives he took in writing his 
blood-red page of history. A civil engineer, 
Herman Ehreenberg, kept accurate count of 
his murders for a time, and he says 425 vic- 
tims fell before the scalping knives of Geron- 
imo's braves from 1856 to and including 1862. 

For more than 25 years Geronimo was held 
a pensioner, rather thin a prisoner, around va- 
rious forts in Alabama, Florida and Arizona, 
drawing $35 per month as a "government 
scout." He was frequently loaned out to 



"World's Fairs," "Wild. West Shows," and 
other exhibitions, as a leading card. The Ed- 
itor saw him at the "Pan-American Fair," at 
Buffalo, and remembers distinctly the effort 
put forth when he wrote his name on a card, 
which was bought for a shilling. The effort 
was so great that the great chief thrust his 
tongue out as he printed each letter of the 
word G-e-r-o-n-i-m-o. His last days were 
spent in puttering around Fort Sill, in Okla- 
homa and adding to his income by selling his 
autograph. 

In 1905 Prof. S. M. Barrett, superintendent 
of education of Lawton, Oklahoma, assisted 
by superintendent J. M. Greenwood, of Kan- 
sas City, secured the promise of Geronimo — 
then 76 years old — to tell the story of his own 
life, and his consent to allow the same to be 
published. This was only obtained by prom- 
ise of pay to Geronimo. As Geronimo was a 
prisoner of war, it was necessary to get the 
consent of the U. S. Government to allow him 
to tell the story of his life. This consent was 
quickly granted by President Roosevelt, who 
read the book in manuscript and to whom Ger- 
onimo dedicated it. The work was begun and 
finished at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where Geron- 
imo was held a prisoner of war for many 
years. The book was sent from the press Sep- 
tember, 1906, and is a most absorbing auto- 
biography of the last of the great Indian 
chiefs, having 216 pages under the title, "Ger- 
onimo's Story of His Life." It is the other 
side — the Indian's side — of a long and bloody 
contest of more than twenty years between red 
man and white man — a story of carnage and 
of heroism, of love and of hate. 

He was once a i;nan of wonderful energy 
and determination. General Miles thus de- 
scribes him. "He rode into our camp and dis- 
mounted, a prisoner. He was one of the 
brightest, most resolute, determined men I 









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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



69 



ever met, with the sharpest, clearest dark eyes. 
Every movement showed power and energy." 
He once, in his prime, ran forty miles in a 
single day, rode 500 miles on one stretch, as 
fast as he could change horses, and wore out 
the columns that finally captured him, until 
three sets of officers were needed to finish the 
chase, and not more than one-third of the 
troopers that started were in at the finish. He 
harried the Southwest for 25 years from his 
retreat in the Gila country, with his band of 
Chiracahua Apaches." General Miles said he 
was the worst Indian that ever lived, and many 
a white man is living today who would have 
gladly leveled Geronimo to earth for the evil 
he wrought. 

He embraced Christianity and became a 
Methodist, but his sincerity was seriously 
questioned by the people of Arizona. How- 
ever, he paid no attention to the scofifers but 
jogged along the trail into the next world, 
confident that he had been forgiven for the 
sins of his youth. He died of pneumonia, 
while a prisoner at Ft. Sill. The other great 
chiefs have all gone to the "happy hunting 
ground." 

Chief Joseph, the "Napoleon of the Nez 
Perces," died in peace a few years ago. He 
was the greatest general of his race, and was 
deserving of far better treatment than he re- 
ceived at the hands of the United States Gov- 
ernment. He may be compared with Tecum- 
seh, the great Shawnee chief of 100 years be- 
fore. 

The Mexican troops killed old Victoria in a 
desperate fight in the Beratcha (Drunken) 
Mountains in Mexico. Sitting Bull, the hero 
of the terrible Custer massacre, was killed by 
the Indian police. Sitting Bull was not in the 
battle of the Little Big Horn at all, but he got 
all the notoriety for it. He was only a Sioux 



medicine man, but he became a leader of his 
people and a terror to all border life. 

Red Cloud died peacefully at Pine Ridge 
Agency about eight years ago, and the friendly 
Sioux Chieftain, Spotted Tail, spent his last 
years in peace with the whites. The kindness 
of the people at l'"ort Laramie during the sick- 
ness and after the death of his daughter, so 
softened the heart of the old chief against the 
whites that he became very friendly and help- 
ful. He aided Custer in his fight in 1876 
against the hostile Sioux, who were led by Sit- 
ting Bull. 

Thus have the great Indian leaders passed 
to the council of their forefathers, and thus 
will they all leave us, unless they can adapt 
themselves to civilized ways of living and of 
work. This they seem to be doing. 

TARHE, CHIEF OE THE WV.VNDOTTES 

The inhabitants of Fairfield county today 
are, perhaps, more interested in the Wyan- 
dottes than in any other Indian trilje. These 
fierce and warlike Indians were the original 
owners of the soil that is now l-'airfield county. 
At the coming of the first white man from 
Marietta, about 1789, there were not less than 
500 members of this tribe living in Fairfield 
county. Their great chief was Tarhe, a inan 
of power and of many noble qualities, whose 
name was given to the chief town of the 
Wyandotte tribe, Tarhe. This town had, in 
1790, at least one hundred wigwams and was 
located on the north branch of the Hocking, to 
the southeast of the Lancaster of today, and 
occupying the grounds now owned by the 
Hocking Valley and Pennsylvania Railroad 
companies. This Indian town was well gov- 
erned and the chief Tarhe ("The Crane" in 
English), was highly respected by his tribe, 
and, as the years went on, by the white inhab- 



70 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



itants as well. He seems to have had many 
of the qualities of the noble Tecumseh and 
much of his ability. He had a rare sense of 
reverence, and, according to the Quakers, or 
"Friends," who knew and loved him well. He 
put all his hope and confidence in the Great 
Spirit. "I hope the Great Spirit," said Chief 
Tarhe, to the Friends from Baltimore, Md., 
"will have compassion on us; it is He who 
made this world and all of us who live in it. 
that we might dwell together as friends and 
brethren. He is the master of the world He 
has made ; we cannot resist His power ; and 
when it is His will that our existence should 
terminate, it becomes our duty to submit with 
resignation." W^io. among the white race 
ever expressed a simple faith in the Supreme 
Being more beautifully? 

The Wyandottes had the most friendly rela- 
tions with tlie Quakers, or Society of Friends, 
and the latter often gave them most efficient 
aid, sending missionaries to them from Balti- 
more, Md., a distance of almost 600 miles. 
These Wyandottes welcomed the Quakers and 
opened to them tiieir w igwams anil their fire- 
sides. 

It affords the Editor great pleasure to offer 
here the speech of Tarhe, made in 1798, and 
sent to the Friends at Baltimore. This speech, 
like that of Logan, is pathetic ; yet it offers an 
interesting picture of tlie heart and soul of this 
deeply injured people, as well as the power of 
Indian oratory. 

.SPEECH DELIVERED BY T.\RHE (THE CR.\NE), 

T'RINCIPAL CHIEF OF THE WYANDOTTE N.\- 

TION OF INDIANS IN BEHALF OF THE 

WHOLE OF SAID NATION, THE 

8th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 

1798. 

Brethren, Quakers ! You remember that we 
once met at a certain place, and when we had 



there met, a great many good things were said 

and much friendship was professed between 
us. 

Brethren ! \'ou told us at that time, you 
not only took us by the hand, but that you 
held us fast 1)y the arm, that you then formed 
a chain of friendship; you said it was not a 
chain of iron, but tliat it was a chain of pre- 
cious metal — a chain of silver that would 
ne\er get rusty, and that this chain would 
bind us in brotherly affection forever. 

Brethren ! You told us that this chain of 
friendship would bind us together so fast, that 
we should never part: — it is our sincere wish 
that this chain may never be broken ; no. not 
ever by the efforts of the Evil Spirit himself. 

Brethren ! These are only a few words that 
I recollect of a great many that were said at 
that time. We iiave no records or place of se- 
curity for our speeches, as you have, nor can 
we write as you do ; our belts of wampum are 
our only records. But if you examine your 
old books and papers, you will there find writ- 
ten all that passed between your forefathers 
and ours (The chief is Itelieved to refer to the 
treaties between William Penn and the In- 
dians. Editor). 

Brethren, Listen ! The Wyandotte nation, 
your brethren, are hajjpy to hear that you ha\e 
not forgotten what our grandfathers agreed 
on at that time. A\'e have often heard that 
you are a good and faithful people, ever ready 
to do justice, and to do good to all men. 
whether they be white or black : therefore, we 
love you the more sincerely, because of the 
goodness of your hearts, which has t)een 
talked of among our nations long since. 

Brethren, My Brethren ! The Wyandottes 
are happy to be informefl that some of you e.x- 
press a wish to pay us a visit; when you do 
come forward for that iiurposc. we will then 
show you a belt of wampum, with a piece of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



71 



written parclinicnl affixed tliereto. When you 
sec tliat belt of wampum and shall have read 
the writing on the parchment, you no doubt 
will then perfectly know us and will consider 
us brethren, united bj' a chain which can never 
be broken while memory lasts. 

Krethren, Listen ! As I have mentioned be- 
fore, so let us proceed; we are much pleased 
to hear that you still hold in rememl)rance our 
nephews, the Delaware nation. The promises 
and obligations made l)etween your grand- 
fathers and ours, included our two nations, 
the Wyandottes and Delawares, in the chain 
of friendship and brotherly love, considering 
us as one and the same people; which chain 
we pray the (ireat .Spirit will never permit to 
be divitled. 

Brethren, Listen ! By strictly adhering to 
the treaty of brotherly lo\e. which our grand- 
fathers, who now exist no more, formed for 
us and our future generations, we will the 
more peacefully and quietly w^ander upon the 
earth, on which the Great Sjiirit. the master of 
life and of all tilings, was pleased to plant us: 
our women and children will also walk the 
longer, as well as our young men and old peo- 
ple upon the earth. 

Brethren, listen! You have informed us 
that you intend to visit us, that even in our 
tents and cabins you will take us by the hand. 
You, brethren, cannot admit a doubt that we 
would be very happy to see you ; but it will be 
necessary to acquaint you that, as the season 
is now far advanced and the cold weather ap- 
proaching fast, it would be a difficult task for 
our brethren to find our places of aI)ode, as 
during the winter we will all be scattered 
abroad for the purposes of hunting in the wil- 
derness ; but in the beginning of June you will 
find us all at home in our cabins and tents 
ready to see you. 

Brethren, listen ! It is but proper to pro- 



pose to you at this time, that when you do 
come forward to see us, you will pass by my 
place of residence at Sandusky. I will then 
take you not only by the hand, but by the arm, 
and will conduct you safe to the grand council 
tire of our great Sasteretsy, where all good 
things are transacted, and where nothing bad 
is permitted to appear. 

When in the grand council of our Saster- 
etsy, we will then sit down together in peace 
and friendship, as brethren are accustomed to 
do, after a long absence and remind each other 
and talk of those times and things that were 
done between our good granil fathers, when 
they first met uikmi our lands on this great Is- 
land. 

Brethren I May the Great Spirit, the mas- 
ter of light and life, so dispose the hearts and 
minds of all our nations and people, that the 
calamities of war may never be felt or known 
by any of them — that our roads and paths may 
never be stained with the blood of our young 
warriors, and that our lieli)less women and 
children may live in peace anrl happiness. 

Delivered on a large I)elt and ten strings of 
white wampum, in Ijchalf of the Wyandotte 
and Delaware nations. 

(Signed) 
T.\RHE (The Cr.ane), 
Skahonwat — Sk.\-hon-wat, 
Adam Brown, 

MaI-I-R\I, or WALK-m-THE-WATKK. 

Very near the present site of Royalton, the 
W^-andottes had another town, presided over 
by a chief called Tobey. in whose honor the 
town was called Tobeytown. Tobey was an 
inferior chief, and was ruled by Tarhe. who 
was at that time (about 1790) the principal 
chief of the Wyandottes, as stated above. 

It w ill be interesting here to note the man- 
ner of governinent among the W'yandottes, as 



72 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



described by Jefferson: — "A kind of patriar- 
chal confederacy, every town or settlement 
has a chief; the several towns that com- 
pose a tribe have a chief who presides over 
them, and the several tribes composing a na- 
tion or confederacy, have a chief who presides 
over the whole nation. Their chiefs are gen- 
erally men advanced in years, and distin- 
guished by their prudence and abilities in 
council. The matters which merely regard a 
town or family are settled by the chief and 
principal men of the town; those which regard 
a tribe, such as the appointment of military 
chiefs, and settling of differences between dif- 
ferent towns and families, are regulated at a 
meeting or council of the chiefs from the sev- 
eral towns ; and those matters which regard a 
whole nation, such as making war, concluding 
peace, or forming alliance with the neighbor- 
ing nations, are deliberated on and determined 
in a national council composed of the chiefs of 
the different tribes, attended by the head war- 
riors and chiefs of the town." 

The Wyandottes have a long and noble his- 
tory. Our earliest record of them is by the 
French who, in 1535, found them living along 
the St. Lawrence. Back of that date all is 
oblivion. We know, however, that at some 
period during the first quarter of the sixteenth 
century, a separation, following a quarrel, 
took place between the Wyandottes and the 
Senecas, along the St. Lawrence, and the 
Wyandottes moved westward to the Niagara. 
Here they stopped, in all probability awed by 
the mighty cataract. Later on part of the 
tribe went to the north, and Lake Huron, 
around which they made their home, was 
named from them, for by some the Wyan- 
dottes were called Hurons, but their proper 
name was Wyandotte. Later in the seventh 
century, they moved to the Detroit river, and 
settled on the Canadian side. Here they 



learned that the Senecas were planning to re- 
new their hostilities against them, and, being 
fewer in number, the Wyandottes scattered, 
and ventured southward through the vast wil- 
derness of the Ohio, and even beyond. This 
was between 1710 and 1721. In this way they 
came into what is now Fairfield county, and 
here they made their home, until about 1795, 
when they began to migrate again, but this 
time northward toward the Sandusky country. 
Chief Tarhe (often spelt Tarhie) must have 
gone to this part of Ohio (Upper Sandusky) 
about that time, for Philip Evan Thomas, and 
his party of Quakers, sent out from Baltimore 
in 1799, found Chief Tarhe, the Crane, as the 
head of the Wyandottes, at his chief town, 
now Upper Sandusky, extending nine or ten 
miles on both sides of the Sandusky river, and 
containing about one thousand people. The 
visit of Mr. Thomas and his party of seven 
was in response to the invitation contained in 
the famous speech of Tarhe printed above. 

Tarhe continued to rule his people, now 
united under "The Wyandotte Confederacy of 
Indians," consisting of seven tribes, speaking 
five different languages, until old age took him 
as a rare prize, in 181 8. A great funeral serv- 
ice was held in his honor after his death, 
chiefs from many tribes being present. There 
were Delawares, Senecas, Ottawas, Shawnees, 
Mohawks and Wyandottes present in large 
numbers. The principal orator and most noted 
chief present, was Red Jacket, from Buffalo. 
Col. John Johnson, U. S. Indian agent, was 
present, and tells us it was a most impressive 
ceremony. After this was concluded the chiefs 
present held a council lasting several days. 
This funeral ceremony and council following, 
was held at "Crane Town," the residence of 
Tarhe, about four miles northeast from the 
present court house in Upper Sandusky. 

In 1843 the Wyandottes, after selling their 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



73 



lands to the Government by treaty, made at 
Upper Sandusky, March 17, 184J, left for the 
far West, being the last Indians to leave Ohio. 
It was a sad sight — the leaving of their once 
happy homes on the fertile plains of the San- 
dusky, the graves of their ancestors, and the 
traditions of their people. The old Wyandotte 
Mission Church and the Indian graveyard at 
Upper Sandusky are a shrine to which many 
hundreds of people journey each year. 

The VVyandottes were the bravest of the 
Indian tribes. They had a language that was 
coarse, harsh and gutteral, but as a race they 
had many noble qualities, and among their 
chiefs were men of high moral attributes. 
General William Henry Harrison, in "Collec- 
tions of the Historical Society of Ohio," pays 
the following tribute to the Wyandottes : 

"With all other tribes but the Wyandottes, 
flight in battle, when meeting with unexpected 
resistance or obstacle, brought with it no dis- 
grace. With them it was otherwise. Their 
youth were taught to consider anything that 
had the appearance of an acknowledgment of 
the superiority of the enemy, as disgraceful. 
In the battle of the Miami rapids, of thirteen 
chiefs of that tribe who were present, one 
only survived, and he badly wounded. Some 
time before this action General Wayne sent 
for Captain Wells and requested him to go to 
Sandusky and take a prisoner, for the purpose 
of obtaining information. Wells, who had 
been bred with the Indians, and was perfectly 
acquainted with their character, answered that 
he could take a prisoner, but not from San- 
dusky, because Wyandottes would not be 
taken alive." (Howe.) 

The Government is doing a good work in 
educating the Indian of today, and there maj' 
be found at Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kan- 
sas, about 600 Indian boys and girls. They 
are niakin^ ra|)id and substantial adancement. 



1 he Indian loves music and can learn very 
readily to produce it. The bands of the Car- 
lisle Indian School and Haskell Institute are 
famous, and they are widely known in foreign 
countries. The Haskell Institute band has vis- 
ited Europe. Their music is of high grade. 

The Indian learns rapidly and he has taken 
a high place in athletics. Soxalexis, the In- 
dian, was one of the world's greatest baseball 
players, and as a sprinter he never had an 
equal. He was "wined and dined" by society 
until the Indian's innate love of "fire-water" 
cau.sed his ruin. On the gridiron the Indian 
holds a high place. His playing is marked by 
intelligence and high speed. In fact the Indian 
is naturally an athlete, but education does not 
change him in this respect. Education only 
gives the Indian greater confidence and skill 
in his work. Graduates of these Indian schools 
are holding good positions, such as bank cash- 
iers, state librarians and teachers of art. 

AN INCIDENT 

A most interesting incident relating to the 
educated Indian comes to us from the far 
West. An educated gentleman was hunting in 
the Rocky Mountains when suddenly he found 
himself face to face with an Indian in full war 
paint and arms, seated on a log in an open spot 
in a densely wooded ravine. The hunter fully 
expected an immediate attack, but was greatly 
surprised as well as relieved, when the painted 
monarch of the forest addressed him in ele- 
gant Engli.sh, bidding him accept a seat by his 
side. The Indian held an open book in his 
hand, a copy of Homer, which he had been 
reading while resting himself from the fatigue 
of the chase. He proved to be a graduate of 
the Carlisle Indian School, and had donned the 
old attire "just to see how it felt." 

The Indian is, likewise, a natural born ora- 
tor. It is said that Tecumseh's voice and ges- 



74 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ture had wonderful power, and the natural 
sweetness of his tone was convincing. Many 
oratorical prizes have been taken by Indians. 

The fame of the speech of Logan, the 
Mingo chief, is world-wide. It elevated the 
character of the native of the forest through- 
out the world, and it will be remembered "so 
long as touching eloquence is admired by 
men." 

Logan's speech 

"I appeal to any white man to say, if ever 
he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and I gave 
him not meat ; i f e\er he came cold or naked 
and I gave him not clothing. 

"During the course of the last long and 
bloody war, Logan remained in his tent, an 
advocate of peace. Nay, such was my love for 
the white, that those of my own country 
pointed at me as they passed by and said, 
"Logan is the friend of the white men.' I had 
even thought to live with you, but for the in- 
juries of one man. Colonel Cresap, the last 
spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, cut off 
all the relatives of Logan; not sparing even 
my women and children. There runs not a 
drop of my blood in the veins of any human 
creature. This called on me for revenge. I 
have sought it. I have killed many. I have 
fully glutted my \engeance. For my country, 
I rejoice at the beams of peace; yet do not 
harbor the thought that mine is the joy of fear 
Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on 
his heel to sa\e his life. Who is there to 
mourn for Logan? Not one." 

This noted piece of eloquence, pride and 
courage was delivertd liy Logan, the murder 
of whose family caused the Dunmore war, un- 
der the "Logan Elm," in Pickaway county, 
Ohio, six miles .south of Circlevillc. 



TROM JACOB S LIFE OF CAPT. CRESAP SECOND 

EDITION. 

published in cincinnati, 1 866 general 

Clark's account 

(The publisher deems it proper to introduce 
here, as bearing directly upon the subject-mat- 
ter of this book, the following letter from 
Gen. George Rogers Clark, in vindication of 
Capt. Cresap. It was addressed to Samuel 
Brown, Esq., and dated June 17, 1798.) 

"The conduct of Cresap I am perfectly ac- 
quainted with. He was not the author of that 
murder (of Logan's family), but a family by 
the name of Great-house. This country was 
explored in 1773. A resolution was formed 
to make a settlement the spring following, and 
the mouth of the Little Kanawha appointed 
the place of general rendezvous, in order to 
descend the river from there in a body. Early 
in the spring the Indians had done some mis- 
chief. Reports from their towns were alarm- 
ing, whicli deterred many. About eighty or 
ninety men only met at the appointed rendez- 
vous, where we lay some days. 

"A small party of hunters that lay about ten 
miles below us were fired upon by the Indians, 
whom the hunters beat back, and returned to 
camp. This and many other circumstances 
led us to believe that the Indians were deter- 
mined on war. The whole party was enrolled, 
and determined to execute their project of 
forming a .settlement in Kentucky, as we had 
every necessary store that could be thought of. 
An Indian town called the Horsehead Bot- 
tom, on the Scioto and near its mouth, lay 
nearly in our way. The determination was to 
cross the country' and surprise it. Who was 
to command, was the question. There were 
but few among us \\ho had experience in In- 
dian warfare, and thev were such that we did 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



75 



not care to be commanded by. We knew of 
Capt. Cresap being on the river about fifteen 
miles above us, with some hands, setthng a 
plantation, and that he had concluded to fol- 
low us to Kentucky as soon as he had fixed 
there his people. We also knew that he had 
been experienced in a former war. He was 
proposed, and it was unanimously agreed to 
send for him to command the party. Messen- 
gers were dispatched, and in half an hour re- 
turned with Cresap. He had heard of our 
resolution by some of his hunters that had 
fallen in with ours, and had set out to come 
to us. 

"We now thought our army, as we called it, 
complete, and the destruction of the Indians 
sure. A council was called, and to our aston- 
ishment our intended commander-in-chief was 
the person that dissuaded us from the enter- 
prise. He said that appearances were very 
suspicious, but there was no certainty of a 
war: that if we made the attempt proposed he 
had no doubt of our success, but a war would 
at any rate be the result, and that we should 
be blamed for it, and perhaps justly; but if we 
were determined to proceed, he would lay aside 
all considerations, send to his camp for his 
people, and share our fortunes. He was then 
asked what he would advise. His answer was, 
that we should return to Wheeling, as a con- 
venient post, to hear what was going forward ; 
that a few weeks would determine ; as it was 
early in the spring, if we found the Indians 
were not disposed for war, we should have full 
time to return and make our establishment in 
Kentucky. This was adopted, and in two 
hours the whole were under way. As we as- 
cended the river we met Killbuch, an Indian 
chief, with a small party. We had a long 
conference with him, but reecived little satis- 
faction as to the disposition of the Indians. It 
was observed that Cresap did not come to this 



conference, but kept on the opposite side of 
the river. He said that he was afraid to trust 
himself with the Indians; that Killbuch had 
frequently tried to waylay his father, to kill 
him; that if he crossed that perhaps his forti- 
tude- might fail him, and that he might put 
Killbuch to death. On our arrival at Wheel- 
ing (the country being pretty well settled 
thereabouts) the whole of the inhabitants ap- 
peared to be alarmed. They flocked to our 
camp from every direction, and all that we 
could say could not keep them from under our 
wings. We offered to cover their neighbor- 
hood with our scouts until further informa- 
tion, if they would return to their plantations: 
but nothing would prevail. By this time we 
had got to be a formidable party. All the 
hunters, men without families, etc., in that 
quarter, had joined our party. Our arrival, at 
Wheeling was soon known as Pittsburg. The 
whole of that country at that time being under 
the jurisdiction of Virginia, Dr. Connoly had 
been appointed by Dunmore captain com- 
mandant of the district, which was called West 
Augusta. He, learning of us, sent a message 
addressed to the party, letting us know that 
war was to be apprehended, and requesting 
that we would keep our position for a few 
days, as messages had been sent to the Indians, 
and a few days would determine the doubt. 
The answer he got was, that we had no incli- 
nation to quit our quarters for some time : that 
during our stay we should be careful that the 
enem}' should not harrass the neighborhood 
that we lay in. But before this answer could 
reach Pittsburg he sent a second express, ad- 
dressed to Capt. Cresap, as the most influen- 
tial man among us, informing him that the 
messenger had returned from the Indians, that 
the war was inevitable, and begging him to use 
his influence with the party to get them to 
cover the country by scouts until the inhab- 



76 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



itants could fortify themselves. The reception 
of this letter was the epoch of open hostilities 
with the Indians. A new post was planted, a 
council was called, and the letter read by 
Cresap, all the Indian traders being summoned 
on so important an occasion. Action was 
had, and war declared in the most solemn 
manner : and the same evening two scalps were 
brought into camp. 

"The next day some canoes of Indians were 
discovered on the river, keeping the adven- 
tage of an island to cover themselves from our 
view. They were chased fifteen miles down 
the river, and driven ashore. A battle ensued 
— a few were wounded on both sides — one In- 
dian only taken prisoner. On examining their 
canoes we found a considerable quantity of 
ammunition and other warlike stores. On our 
return to camp a resolution was adopted to 
march the next day and attack Logan's camp 
on the Ohio, about thirty miles above us. We 
did march about five miles, and then halted_to 
take some refreshment. Here the impropriety 
of executing the projected enterprise was ar- 
gued. The conversation was brought forward 
by Cresap himself. It was generally agreed 
that those Indians had no hostile intentions, as 
they were hunting, and their party was com- 
posed of men, women and children, with all 
their stuff with them. This we knew, as I 
myself and others present had been in their 
camp about four weeks past, on our descend- 
ing the river from Pittsburg. In short, every 
person seemed to detest the resolution we had 
set out with. We returned in the evening, de- 
camped and took the road to Redstone. 

"It was two days after this that Logan's 
family was killed. And from the manner in 
which it was done, it was viewed as a horrid 
murder. From Logan's hearing of Cresap be- 
ing at the head of this party on the river, it is 
no wonder that he supposed he had a hand in 
the destruction of his family. 



"Since the reception of your letter I have 
procured the Notes on Virginia. They are 
now before me. The act was more barbarous 
than there related by Mr. Jefferson. Those 
Indians used to visit and to return visits with 
the neighboring whites, on the opposite side of 
the river. They were on a visit to a family of 
the name of Greathouse, at the time they were 
murdered by them and their associates. 

"The war now raged in all its savage fury 
until the fall, when a treaty of peace was held 
at Camp Charlotte, within four miles of Chilli- 
cothe, the Indian capital of Ohio. Logan did 
not appear. I was acquainted with him, and 
wished to know the reason. The answer was, 
that he was like a mad dog; his bristles had 
been up, and were not yet quite fallen, but the 
good talk now going forward might allay 
them. Logan's speech to Dunmore now came 
forward, as related by Mr. Jefferson. It was 
thought to be clever, though the army knew it 
to be wrong as to Cresap ; but it only produced 
a laugh in camp. I saw it displeased Capt. 
Cresap, and I told him he must be a very great 
man that the Indians palmed everything that 
happened on his shoulders. He smiled and 
said he had an inclination to tomahawk Great- 
house for the murder. 

"What I have related is fact. I was inti- 
mate with Cresap. Logan, I was better ac- 
quainted with, at that time, than any other 
Indian in the Western country. 

"I was perfectly acquainted with the con- 
duct of both parties. Logan was the author of 
the speech, as altered by Mr. Jefferson, and 
Cresap's conduct was as I have here related 
it." 

THE INDIAN OF TODAY 

Are the American Indians decreasing in 
number? By no means. Statistics from the 
twenty-five Indian reservations in the United 
States show a constant and healthy increase. 



^1 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



77 



The total Indian population in 1890 was 255,- 
327; in 1900 it was 270,544, an increase of 
15,217 in ten years. In 1909 the population 
had grown to 299,293, an increase of 18,749 
in nine years. 

In former years the Indians killed each 
other in tribal warfare, and doubtless many 
were swept away by famine and pestilence. 
Today they are cared for by the U. S. Govern- 
ment — protected by the strong arm of the law. 
The expenditures of the United States on ac- 
count of the Indians in the fiscal year ending 
June 30, 1909, were $9,253,347, and the total 
expenditures from 1789 to 1909 inclusive have 
been $474,163,917. 

The cost to the United States Government 
of Indian schools for 1909 was $4,008,825. 
The Government supports 109 boarding 
schools and 194 day schools and 59 mission 
schools supported by churches and religious 
societies. 

The five civilized tribes of today — the Okla- 
homa, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, 
Seminoles — number 101,469, and their num- 
bers are increasing rapidly. 

Our government has made in the past many 
bad conditions for the Indians. The late 
General Sherman is quoted as saying that the 
U. S. Government never kept a single treaty it 
ever made with the Indians, and he was very 
near the truth. But today conditions are far 
different, and justice is more nearly granted 
to these original owners of the soil. The edu- 
cated Indian is slowly but surely winning for 
his race a high place among the nations of the 
earth. In the names of such Indians as Dr. 
Charles Alexander Eastman, the noted Sioux 
lecturer and writer; Dr. Carlos Montezuma, a 
full-blooded Apache, distinguished physician 
and surgeon of Chicago; General Ely S. Par- 
ker, a full-blooded Seneca, the friend and sup- 
porter as well as military secretary of General 



Grant ; Simon Pokagon, son of the Potawato- 

mie chief who owned the lantl on which Chi- 
cago now stands and for whom Chicago citi- 
zens have erected a monument in Jackson 
Park — in these and many more the world rec- 
ognizes power and real worth. 

The recent national congress of American 
Indians, held in Columbus, Ohio, October, 
191 1, gave every evidence the most critical 
could wish, that education is not by any means 
a failure when obtained by that once wild 
member of the human family. 

"Down the rivers, o'er the prairies, 
Came the warriors of the nations. 
Came the Delawares and Mohawks, 
Came the Choctaws and Comanches, 
Came the Mandans and Dacotahs, 
Came the Wyandottes and Ojibways, 
All the warriors drawn together 
By the signal of the peace pipe." 

This meeting of "high brow" Indians at Co- 
lumbus was the first of its kind, and the most 
representative body of American Indians that 
ever met. The Congress was called for the 
purpose of organizing an 

AMERICAN INDIAN ASSOCIATION 

Which Has for Its Object the Uplifting and 
Advancement of the Red Race 

The addresses, discussions and reports all 
contained arguments for the uplift of the In- 
dian — and not the least among them were the 
Indian women — many of whom are graduates 
from our own very best American colleges. 
No better argument for the education of the 
Indian can be given than a comparison of the 
face of the Bloodthirsty Geronimo and that of 
Rev. Sherman Coolidge, "Des-Che-Wah," a 
full-blooded Arapahoe, but educated, refined 
and a Christian. 

Simon Pokagon, referred to above, began 



78 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the study of English at fourteen, and he mas- 
tered it and also became very proficient in 
Latin and Greek. It is said no full blooded 
Indian ever acquired a more thorough knowl- 
edge of the English tongue. Read his noted 
article in a New York magazine, written in 
1897 on the topic, "The Future of the Red 
Man," in which he said: "Often in the still- 
ness of the night, when all nature seems asleep 
about me, there comes a gentle rapping at the 
door of my heart. I open it and a voice in- 
quires, 'Pokagon, what of your people? What 
will be their future?' My answer is: 'Mortal 
man has not the power to draw aside the veil 
of unborn time to tell the future of his race. 
That gift belongs to the Divine alone. But it 
is given to him to closely judge the future by 
the present and the past." Have we any finer 
passage from our best English writers? Had 
our Government pursued the right, the just, 
the humane course with the Indian years ago. 
we might have had ten thousand other edu- 
cated Christian men and women among the 
Indians of today.* 

One of the most noted Indian schools in 
the world is the famous Carlisle Indian 
School, located at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This 
school was organized, and opened November 
I, 1879, and has had a steady growth each 
year until it has at the present time 800 stu- 
dents coming from 55 different tribes, scat- 
tered all over the United States. 

The Government has spent on the Haskell 
Institute more than half a million dollars, for 
buildings and grounds, and it willingly ex- 
pends $200,000 each year in maintaining the 
school. The Department of the Interior, 
through a regularly appointed agent, looks 



*The story of the brave scouts under the intrepid Lewis 
Wetzel, Cold Spring Rescue, and the Wyandottes is told 
in a separate chapter of this work. (Editor.) 



after the educational interests of the Indian, 
and the work is well done. A large number 
of unselfish and devoted teachers have given 
their lives to the service of the Indian youth, 
and not a few of these teachers are of Ohio 
birth, among whom might be named Mr. and 
Mrs. George G. Davis, who for a number of 
years have so successfully conducted the school 
at the Rosebud Agency, South Dakota. It 
will be remembered that it was at this place, 
in 1881, that Crow Dog shot and killed the 
great Sioux chieftain. Spotted Tail, who was 
at peace with the whites, and who had be- 
friended them, and especially Custer, when en- 
gaged in the bloody contest with Sitting Bull. 

These schools have long since demonstrated 
the fact that the Indian youth, properly 
trained, will become a valuable American citi- 
zen, and we should be ever willing to make 
the necessary expenditures. 

The Government in past years has done \ery 
poorly in its treatment of these aborigines. 
The rascally Indian agents have cheated and 
robbed them again and again. Often for per- 
sonal gain have these agents recommended to 
the Government that whole tribes be removed 
from the hunting grounds of their fathers, 
fertile as the valley of the Po, into some tor- 
rid, arid desert. Of course they would fight; 
who would not under the same conditions? 
Then the Government would send a \astly 
superior force against these "rebellious" tribes 
and the red man was doomed. 

This is exactly what was done with old 
Victoria, chief of the \\^irm Spring Indians. 
He had been living as a farmer chief in the 
fertile valley at the foot of the San Mateo 
Mountains, in New Mexico, raising cattle, 
hogs and sheep and learning from Duncan, 
the farmer, how to culti\ate the soil. 

.\ thieving Indian agent at San Carlos. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



Arizona, wanted this tribe sent to him that he 
might rob them as he was robbing those tribes 
already under his control. Acting on his 
urgent advice, the Government had twice sent 
this peaceful tribe from their beautiful and 
fertile home into Arizona, to a hot and barren 
land. 

Twice they had gone back to their old home, 
and on being again ordered to return to Ari- 
zona, old Victoria and his little band of 85 
warriors took to the mountains. "Andy" 
Kelly, an interpreter and trader, was sent to 
Victoria to ask him to wait until the officer in 
charge of the troops sent against him could 
get an answer by telegraph from Washington. 
The old leader, burning with indignation at the 
treatment he was receiving, gave the following 
reply to Kelly: "Me wait. Me no want fight. 
Big Chief make long tongue (the telegraph) 
say me stay reservation, me no fight. Me 
want stay my old home. If Great Father 
make long tongue say all right, me come in. 
But if long tongue say me go San Carlos, me 
fight all time, and you no more come back with 
white flag. You come back, me kill you too." 
(Capt. Jack Crawford.) 

When the scout, who had been sent 100 
miles to the nearest telegraph station, was seen 
by Victoria, returning on his jaded pony, and 
no answer came from "long tongue" saying 
"me stay here," Victoria began to fight for his 
rights. For two long years he successfully 
fought the United States troops, and in that 
time he and his little band of warriors killed 
more than 600 men, women and children. He 
was finally entrapped in the Beratcha 
(Drunken) Mountains, Mexico, and was slain 
by Mexican .soldiers, fighting manfully for his 
rights. 

All this was unnecessary — a tragedy brought 
on by the villainy of a trusted agent of the 
government. 



This chapter cannot be more fittingly closed 
than to quote in full Ciiarles Sprague's master- 
piece, so often read by our fathers and grand- 
fathers, the prophecy of which, however, has 
not been fulfilled, as we have seen. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN 

"Not many generations ago, where you now 
sit, encircled with all that exalts and embel- 
lishes civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in 
the wind, and the wild fox dug his hole un- 
scared. Here lived and loved another race of 
beings. Beneath the same sun that rolls over 
your head, the Indian hunter pursued the pant- 
ing deer; gazing the same moon that smiles 
on you, the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate. 
Here the wigwam-blaze beamed on the tender 
and the helpless; the council fire glared on the 
wise and the daring. 

"Now they dipped their noble limbs in the 
sedgy lakes, and now they paddled their light 
canoe along your rocky shores. Here they 
warred; the echoing whoop, the bloody grap- 
ple, the defying death song, all were here ; and 
when the tiger strife was over, here curled the 
smoke of peace. Here, too, they worshipped ; 
and from many a dark bosom went up a pure 
prayer to the Great Spirit. He had not written 
his laws for them on tables of stone, but he 
had traced them on the table of their hearts. 

"The poor child of Nature knew not the 
God of Revelation, but the God of the uni- 
verse he acknowledged in everything around. 
He beheld him in the star that sank in beauty 
behind his lonely dwelling: in the sacred orb 
that flamed on him from his mid-day throne: 
in the flower that snapped in the morning 
breeze ; in the lofty pine that had defied a 
thousand whirlwinds: in the timid warbler 
that never left his native grove; in the fearless 
eagle whose untired pinion was wet in clouds : 
in the worm that crawled at his feet; and in 



80 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



his own matchless form, glowing with a spark 
of that light to whose mysterious source he 
bent in humble though blind adoration. 

"And all this has passed away. Across the 
ocean came a pilgrim bark, bearing the seeds 
of life and death. The former were sown for 



tion have been too powerful for the tribes of 
the ignorant. Here and there a stricken few 
remain ; but how unlike their bold, untamed, 
untamable progenitors ! The Indian of falcon 
glance, and lion bearing, the theme of the 
touching ballad, the hero of the pathetic tale. 






REV. SHERMAN COOLIDGE^(DES-CHE-WAH) 
[Fine Specimen of an Educated American Indian] 



you; the latter sprang up in the path of the 
simple native. Two hundred years have 
changed the character of a great continent, and 
blotted forever from its face a whole peculiar 
people. Art has unsurped the bowers of 
Nature, and the annointed children of educa- 



is gone ! and his degraded offspring crawl upon 
the soil where he walked in majesty, to remind 
us how miserable is man when the foot of the 
conquerer is on his neck. 

" As a race they have withered from the 
land. Their arrows are broken. Their off- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



81 



spring are dried up, their cabins are in the dust. 
Their council-fire has long since gone out on 
the shore, and their war cry is fast dying 
away to the untrodden West. Slowly and 
sadly they climb the distant mountains and 
read their doom in the setting sun. They are 
shrinking before the mighty tide that is press- 
ing them away; they must soon hear the roar 
of the last wave which will settle over them 



forever. Ages hence, the inquisitive white 
man, as he stands by some growing city, will 
ponder on the structure of their disturbed re- 
mains, and wonder to what manner or persons 
they belonged. They will live only in songs 
and chronicles of their exterminators. Let 
these be faithful to their rude virtues as men, 
and pay due tribute to their unhappy fate as a 
people. 



CHAPTER IV 



DAWN OF CIVILIZATION IN THE COUNTY 

Organization of the County- — Its Sice when Organised— Nimiber and Names of Townships— - 
Why Called "Fairfield"— Population — Principal Cities — Counties in the State and Their 

Rate of Increase Character of the Inhabitants of Fairfield County — Ebenecer Zone, 

the Pioneer and His Work — His Reward — His Highzvay — Capt. Joseph Hunter, 
Founder of the County — First White Child Born in the County — First White Woman 
Settler — Mrs. Ruhamah Green (Mrs. Chas. Builderback) and Her Adventures — Charles 
Bitilderback— Historical Paper by General George Sanderson — The Log Cabin — First 
Funeral — Fourth of July Celebration in 1800 — "Johnny Appleseed" — Roster of County 
Officials — Senators and Representatives. 



FAIRFIELD 

Organized 1800. 
Area, 470 square miles. 
Population in 18 10, 11,361. 
Population, census of 1910, 39,201. 
Taxable valuation of property, $22,895,900. 
County seat, Lancaster; 1910 population, 

13.093- 

Boys' State Industrial School located near 

Lancaster. 

This grand old county of Fairfield was 
organized in 1800 by proclamation of Gov. 
Arthur St. Clair. At the time of its organ- 
ization this county was very much larger than 
at present (1912). It then included all or 
nearly all of Knox and Licking and parts of 
Perry, Hocking and Pickaway counties. Other 
counties were formed as the population in- 
creased, and this lessened the size of Fairfield 
to nearly its present area, 470 square miles. 
There are 13 townships as planned about 1840 
— Amanda, Berne, Blpom, Clear Creek, Green- 



field, Hocking, Liberty, Madison, Pleasant, 
Richland, Rush Creek, Violet and Walnut. 

The history of each of these townships will 
be given under Chapter VI. The name of the 
county was suggested by the fertility of the 
soil, the beauty of the landscape, and the fair- 
ness of the fields — Fairfield — these champaign 
fields being especially attractive to the settlers 
in the northern part of the county. The pop- 
ulation of the county has kept pace with that 
of the state, except in more recent years. 

TOT.\L P0FUL.\TI0N OF OHIO, INCREASE, AND 
DISTRIBUTION 

[Thirteenth Census of the United States] 

Population of the state. — The population of 
Ohio is 4,767,121. Compared with a popula- 
tion of 4,157,545 in 1900, this represents an 
increase during the last decale of 609,576, or 
14.7 per cent. During the same period the 
total population of continental United States 
increased 21 per cent. The population of the 
state has grown at about the same rate during 



82 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 83 

each of the last three decades. The following that during the first 40 years the population of 
table shows the population of Ohio at each the state increased very much faster than did 
census from 1800 to 1910, inclusive, together that of continental United States. Since 1S40, 
with the increase and per cent of increase dur- however, the rate of increase for the state dur- 
ing each decade, in comparison with the per ing each decade has been lower than that of 
cent of increase for continental United States continental United States, 
as a whole. Principal cities.— Ohio has 82 cities. Cleve- 

INCREASE OVER PBECEDINO PEB CENT. 

CENSUS OF INCREASE 

FOB 

census year population continental 

United 
nuuber pee cent. states 

I9IO 4.767,121 609,576 14.7 21.0 

1900 4,157,545 485,:2i6 13.2 20.7 

1890 3,672,329 474,267 14.8 25.5 

1880 3,198,062 532,802 20.0 30.1 

1870 2,665,260 325,749 139 22.6 

i860 2,339,511 359,182 18.1 35.6 

1850 1,980,329 460,862 30.3 35.9 

1840 1,519,467 581,564 62.0 32.7 

1830 937,903 356,469 61.3 33.5 

1820 581,434 350,674 152.0 33.1 

1810 230,760 185,395 408.7 36.4 

1800 45,365 

Ohio was admitted as a state in 1803. The land, the largest city, has a population of 560,- 

population of the territory now constituting 663, and Cincinnati, the next largest city, a 

the state was first enumerated at the Federal population of 363,591. Columbus, Toledo, 

census of 1800. It will be observed from the and Dayton, with 181,511, 168,497, ^"tl 116,- 

above table that the early censuses show a very 577 inhabitants, respectively, are the only other 

rapid rate of growth in the state. During the cities with more than 100,000 population. Of 

20 years from 1800 to 1820 the population the remaining cities, 3 have from 50,000 to 

multiplied more than twelve times, and during 100,000, 6 from 25,000 to 50,000, 23 from 

the next 20 years, from 1820 to 1840, it con- 10,000 to 25,000, and 45 from 5,000 to 10.000 

siderably more than doubled. Since 1840 the inhabitants, respectively. The aggregate pop- 

the growth of the state has been very much ulation of the 82 cities is 2,467,054, or 51.8 

slower, the population not doubling again until per cent of the total population of the state. 
40 years later, in 1880. During the 30 years 

since 1880 the population of the state has in- counties 
creased 49,1 per cent. 

A comparison of the rates of increase for Ohio has 88 counties. The population of 

the state with those for continental United these counties ranges from 13,096 in Vinton 

States, as given in the preceding table, shows county to 637,425 in Cuyahoga. There have 



84 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



been no changes in the territorial boundaries 
of the counties since IQCXJ. 

Forty-nine counties have increased in popu- 
lation during the last decale, the rates of in- 
crease ranging from one-tenth per cent in Fay- 
ette county to 65.6 per cent in Mahoning 
county, and the absolute increases from 19 in 
Fayette county to 198,305 in Cuyahoga 
county. Eighteen counties show a larger rate 
of increase than is shown for the state as a 
whole, which, as before stated, was 14.7 per 
cent. Thirty-nine counties have decreased in 
population during the last decade, the rates of 
decrease ranging from one-tenth of i per cent 
in Lawrence county to 17.4 per cent in Pauld- 
ing county, and the absolute decreases from 46 
in Lawrence county to 5,225 in Wood county. 
The aggregate increase of population from 
1900 to 1910 in the 49 counties that show an 
increase is 677.170; the aggregate decrease of 
population in the 39 counties that show a de- 
crease is 67,594. The difference, 609,576, is, 
of course, the total increase of population in 

the state. 

Fairfield's census was not taken in 1800, but 
she must have had about 800 or perhaps 1,000 
population, 500 of whom were Wyandotts. 
By the "Thirteenth census" we find the pop- 
ulation of the county as follows: 1810, 11.361 
1820, 16,633; 1830, 24,786; 1840, 31-924 
1850, 30,264; i860, 30,538; 1870, 31,138 
1880, 34.284; 1890, 33.939: 1900, 34.259 
1910, 39.201. 

This population is now largely Ohio-born, 
though you will find in the county large num- 
bers of foreign birth — Germany, Ireland, Eng- 
land, Italy, Greece, Virginia, New York, 
Indiana and many other states being repre- 
sented in the population of today. The native 
inhabitants have been noted for their thrift, 
earnestness and honesty. The county has long 
been the home of great men and women— as 
will be fully shown before we close. 



EBENEZER ZANE 

The early history — the very beginning of 
history in Fairfield county — is intimately con- 
nected with the name of Ebenezer Zane. This 
intrepid pioneer, in the service of the Govern- 
ment, constructed in 1797 a noted roadway, 
an account of which appears in Chapter five 
of this volume. For this service Zane was 
granted by the Government three tracts of 
land, one mile square each — one located on 
the present site of Zanesville, another on the 
Hocking, embracing the present site of Lan- 
caster and the third embracing the present site 
of Chillicothe. This famous old roadway was 
known for fifty years or more as "Zane's 
Trace." It led from Wheeling. W. Va. to 
Maysville, Ky., — being 226 miles in length and 
passing through Zanesville, Lancaster, and 
Chillicothe. This highway brought many set- 
tlers into the Hocking Valley, and in April of 
1798 a bold and restless pioneer from Ken- 
tucky, Capt. Joseph Hunter, came with his 
family to this beautiful and fertile valley and 
settled on "Zane's Trace," on ground now 
occupied by Lancaster. Here he built his cabin 
and his home. He is even regarded as the 
founder of the county, and his son, the noted 
attorney. Hocking H. Hunter, was the first 
white male child born in the county. The 
mother of Hocking H. Hunter was the first 
white woman to settle within the limits of the 
county. These claims are somewhat in doubt, 
as the noted historian, Henry Howe (Vol. I, 
page 589) claims that the first white male child 
was a son of Mrs. Ruhamah Green (Builder- 
back), whose tragic history is here given as it 
appears in Howe's "Ohio," written by Col. 
John McDonald, of Ross County. (Page 589- 
590, Howe.) 

MRS. RUHAMAH GREEN (bUILDERBACK) 

"Mrs. Ruhamah Green was born and raised 
in Jefferson county, Va. In 1785 she was 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



85 



married to Charles Builderback, and with him 
crossed the mountains and settled at the mouth 
of Short Creek, on the east bank of the Ohio 
River, a few miles above Wheeling. Her hus- 
band, a brave man, had on many occasions dis- 
tinguished himself in repelling the Indians, 
who had often suffered from the sure aim of 
his unerring rifle. They determined at all 
hazards to kill him. 

"On a beautiful summer's morning in June, 
1789, at a time when it was thought that the 
enemy had abandoned the western shores of 
the Ohio, Capt. Charles Builderback and his 
wife, and brother Jacob Builderback. crossed 
the Ohio to look after some cattle. On reach- 
ing the shore a party of some 15 or 20 Indians 
rushed out from ambush and fired upon them, 
wounding Jacob in the shoulder. Charles was 
taken while running to escape, but Jacob re- 
turned to the canoe and got away. In the 
meanwhile Mrs. Builderback secreted herself 
in some drift wood near the bank of the river. 
As soon as the Indians had secured and tied 
her husband, and not being able to discover her 
hiding-place, they compelled him, by threats of 
immediate death, to call her to him. With a 
hope of appeasing their fury, he did so. She 
heard him but made no answer. 'Here,' to use 
her own words, 'a struggle took place in my 
own breast which I cannot describe. Shall I 
go to him and become a prisoner, or shall I re- 
main, return to our cabin and provide for and 
take care of our two children.' He shouted to 
her a second time to come to him, saying that 
if she did it might be the means of saving his 
life. She no longer hesitated, but left her 
place of concealment and surrendered herself 
to his savage captors. All this took place in 
full view of their cabin on the opposite shore 
of the river, where they had left their two 
children, one a boy about three years of age 



and an infant daughter. The Indians, know- 
ing that they would be pursued as soon as the 
news of their visit reached the stockade at 
Wheeling, commenced their retreat. Mrs. 
Builderback and her husband traveled together 
that day and the following night. The next 
morning the Indians separated into two bands, 
one taking Builderback and the other his wife 
and continued a western course by different 
routes. 

"In a few days the band having Mrs. 
Builderback in charge reached the Tuscarawas 
river, where they encamped, and were soon re- 
joined by the band that had taken her husband. 
Here the murderers exhibited his scalp on the 
top of a pole, and to convince her that they 
had killed him, pulled it down and threw it into 
her lap. She recognized it at once by the red- 
ness of his hair. She said nothing, and ut- 
tered no complaint. It was evening and her 
ears were pained by the terrific yells of the 
savages, and wearied with constant traveling, 
she fell into a profound sleep and forgot all 
her sufferings until morning. When she awoke 
the scalp of her murdered husband was gone 
and she never learned what became of it. 

"As soon as the capture of Builderback was 
known at Wheeling, a party of scouts set off 
in pursuit, and taking the trail of one of the 
bands, followed it until they found the body. 
He had been tomahawked and scalped and had 
apparently suffered a lingering death. 

"The Indians, on reaching their towns on 
the Big Miami, adopted Mrs. Builderback into 
a family, with whom she lived until released 
from captivity. She remained a prisoner about 
nine months, performing the labor and drudg- 
ery of squaws, such as carrying in meat from 
the hunting grounds, preparing and drying it, 
making moccasins, leggings and other cloth- 
ing for the family in which she lived. After 



86 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



her adoption she suffered much from the rough 
and fikhy manner of Indian Hving, but was not 
ill treated otherwise. 

"In a few months after her capture some 
friendly Indians informed the commandant at 
Fort Washington that there was a white 
woman in captivity at the Miami towns. She 
was ransomed and brought into the fort, and 
was sent up the river to her lonely cabin and 
the embrace of her two children. She then re- 
crossed the mountains and settled in her native 
county. 

"In 1796 Mrs. Builderback married John 
Green, and in 1798 they settled about three 
miles west of Lancaster, where she continued 
to reside until the time of her death in 1842. 
She survived her last husband about ten 
years." 

Charles Builderback, the first husband of 
Mrs. Green, had commanded a company at 
Crawford's defeat in the Sandusky country. 
He was a large, noble-looking man, and a bold 
and intrepid warrior. He was in the bloody 
Moravian campaign and took his share in the 
tragedy by shedding the first blood on that oc- 
casion, when he shot, tomahawked and scalped 
Shebosh, a Moravian chief. But retributive 
justice was meeted out to him. After being 
taken prisoner, the Indians asked his name. 
"Charles Builderback," he replied, after some 
little pause. At this revelation the Indians 
stared at each other with malignant triumph. 
"Ha," said they, "you kill many big Indian ; 
you big captain; you kill Moravians." From 
that moment, perhaps, his fate was sealed. 

HISTORICAL PAPER BY GEN. GEORGE SANDERSON 

The history of Fairfield county cannot lie 
written without ample reference to the Sander- 
son family. The following quotations are from 
the now noted address before the. Lancaster 
Library Society — given by General George 
Sanderson in 1844, and published in pamphlet 



form in 185 1 by Thomas Wetzler. The title 
of the address is "A Brief History of the 
Early Settlement of Fairfield County." 

Gen. George Sanderson knew the history of 
the county from the beginning and he was 
identified with its growth and advancement 
until his death, which occurred in 1871. He 
filled many places of trust and responsibility, . 
and was endowed with a wonderful memory 
and keen observation. His account is there- 
fore extremely valuable and cannot for any 
reason be omitted here. \\'e quote direct from 
Dr. Scott's History. 

"In 1797, Zanes' Trace having opened a 
communication between the Eastern States and 
Kentucky, many individuals in both directions 
wishing to better their conditions in life 
by emigrating and settling in the 'back 
woods,' so called, visited the Hocking Valley 
for that purpose and finding the country sur- 
passingly fertile, — abounding in fine spring of 
pure water, they determined to make it their 
new home. 

"In April 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold 
and enterprising man, with his famil3^ emi- 
grated from Kentucky and settled on 'Zanes' 
Trace,' upon the bank of the prairie west of 
the crossings, and about two hundred yards 
north of the present turnpike road, and which 
place was called 'Hunter's settlement.' — Here 
he cleared off the under-brush, felled the forest 
trees, and erected a cabin, at a time when he 
had not a neighbor nearer than the Muskin- 
gum and Scioto rivers. This was the com- 
mencement of the settlement in the upper 
Hocking Valley, and Capt. Hunter is regarded 
as the founder of the flourishing and populous 
county of Fairfield. He lived to see the 
country densely settled and in a high state of 
improvement, and died about the year 1829. 
His wife was the first white woman that .set- 
tled in the Valley, and shared with her husband 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



87 



the toils, sufferings, hardships and privations 
incident to tlic formation of new settlements in 
the wilderness. During the spring of the same 
year (1798), Nathaniel Wilson, the elder, 
Hohn and Allen Green, and Joseph McMuilen, 
Robert Cooper, Isaac Shaeffer, and a few 
others, reached the valley, erected cabins and 
put in crops. 

"In 1799 the tide of emigration set in with 
great force. In the spring of this year, two 
settlements were begun in the present township 
of Greenfield : each settlement contained twenty 
or thirty families. One was the falls of 
Hocking, and the other was Yankeytown. 
Settlements were also made along the river be- 
low Hunters, on Rush Creek, Fetters Run, 
Raccoon, Pleasant Run, Toby Town, Mudy 
Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fall of 
1799, Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith 
erected a log grist mill at the upper falls of 
Hocking, now called the Rock Mill. This was 
the first mill built on the Hockhocking. 

"In April 1799, Samuel Coates, Sen., and 
Sanniel Coates, Jun., from England, built a 
cabin in the prairie, at the 'Crossing of Hock- 
ing;' kept bachelors hall, and raised a crop of 
corn. In the latter part of the year a mail 
route was established along 'Zanes' Trace" 
from Wheeling to Limestone. The mail -,\as 
carried through on horseback, and at first only 
once a week. Sanniel Coates, Sen., was the 
postmaster, and kept his office at the Crossing. 
This was the first established mail route 
through the interior of the territory, and 
Samuel Coates was the first postmaster at the 
new settlement. 

"The settlers subsisted principally on corn 
bread, potatoes, milk and butter, and wild 
meats, flour, tea and coffee were .scarcely to be 
had, and when brought to the country, such 
prices were asked as to put it out of the power 
of many to purchase. Salt was an indispens- 



able article, and cost, at the Scioto salt works, 
$5.00 for fifty pounds; flour cost $16.00 per 
barrel ; tea $2.50 per pound ; coffee $1.50; spice 
and pepper $1.00 per pound." 

"The present generation can form no just 
conception of the wild and wilderness appear- 
ance of the country in which we now dwell, 
previous to its settlement by the white people; 
it was, in short, a country 

"Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey. 
Or men as fierce and wild as they." 

"The lands watered by the sources of the 
Hockhocking river, and now comprehended 
within the present limits of the County of 
Fairfield, were, when discovered by some of 
the early settlers of Marietta, owned and oc- 
cupied by the \Vyandott tribe of Indians, 
and were highly prized by the occupants as 
a valuable hunting-ground, being filled by 
almost all kinds of game and animals of 
fur. The principal town of the nation stood 
along the margin of the prairie, between the 
mouth of Broad street and Thomas Ewing's 
canal-basin, and extending back as far as the 
Ijase of the hill south of the Methodist Church. 
It is said that the town contained in 1790 about 
one hundred wigwams, and fi\e hundred souls. 
It was called Tarhe, or in English. Cranetown. 
and derived its name from that of the principal 
chief of the tribe. The Chief's wigwam in 
Tarhe stood upon the bank of the ])rairie, near 
where the fourth lock is built on the Hocking 
Canal, and near where a beautiful spring of 
water flows into the Hocking river. The wig- 
wams were built of the bark of trees set on 
poles, in the fomi of a sugar-camp, with one 
square open, fronting a fire, and about the 
height of a man. The Wyandotte tribe at that 
day numbered about five hundred warriors, 
and were a ferocious and savage people. They 
made frequent attacks on the white settlements 



88 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



along the Ohio river, killing, scalping and cap- 
turing the settlers without regard to age, sex 
or condition. War parties on various occa- 
sions attacked flat-boats descending the river, 
containing emigrants from the Middle States 
seeking new homes in Kentucky, by which, in 
many instances, whole families became victims 
to the tomahawk and scalping-knife. * * * 

"The Crane Chief Tarhe had a white wife 
in his old age. She was Indian in every sense 
of the word, except her fair skin and red hair. 
Her history, as far as I have been able to learn 
it, is this : Tarhe, in one of his predatory 
excursions along the Ohio river, on the east 
side, near Wheeling, had taken her prisoner 
and brought her to his town on the Hocking 
river. She was then about eight years old ; 
and, never having been reclaimed by her rel- 
atives or friends, remained with the nation, 
and afterwards became the wife of her captor. 

"On the 17th of May, 1796, Congress, with 
a view no doubt to the early settlement of their 
acquired possessions by the treaty of Green- 
ville in 1795, passed an act granting to Eben- 
ezer Zane three tracts of land, not exceeding 
one mile square each, in consideration that he 
would open a road on the most eligible route, 
between Wheeling, Virginia, and Limestone 
(now Maysville), Kentucky. Zane performed 
his part of the contract the same year, and 
selected one of his tracts on the Hocking, 
where Lancaster now stands. The road was 
opened by only blazing the trees and cutting 
out the underbrush, which gave it more the 
appearance of an Indian path, or trace, than 
a road, and from that circumstance it took the 
name of 'Zane's Trace' — a name it bore for 
many years after the settlement of the county. 
* * * It crossed the Hocking at a ripple, 
or ford, about three hundred yards below the 
turnpike-road, west of the present town of 
Lancaster, and was called the 'Crossing of 



Hocking.' This was the first attempt to open 
a public highway through the interior of the 
North-western Territory. 

"In 1797, Zane's trace having opened a 
communication between the Eastern States 
and Kentucky, many individuals from both 
directions wishing to better their conditions in 
life by emigrating and settling in the 'back 
woods,' then so-called, visited the Hockhock- 
ing for that purpose, and finding the country 
surpassingly fertile — abounding in springs of 
purest water, determined to make it their new 
liome. 

"In April, 1798, Captain Joseph Hunter, a 
bold and enterprising man, with his family, 
emigrated from Kentucky and settled on Zane's 
trace, upon the bank of the prairie west of the 
crossings, and about one hundred and fifty 
yards northwest of the present turnpike road, 
and was called 'Hunter's Settlement.' Capt. 
Hunter cleared off the underbrush, felled the 
forest trees, and erected a cabin, at a time 
when he had not a neighbor nearer than the 
Muskingum and Scioto rivers. This was 
the commencement of the first settlement in 
the upper Hockhocking Valley; and Captain 
Hunter is regarded as the founder of the 
flourishing and populous County of Fairfield. 
He lived to see the county densely settled and 
in a high state of improvement, and paid the 
debt of nature about 20 years ago. His aged 
companion, Mrs. Dorotha Hunter, yet lives 
(1851), enjoying the kind and affectionate at- 
tentions of her family, and the respect and 
esteem of her acquaintances. She was the first 
white woman that settled in the valley, and 
shared with her late husband all the toils, suf- 
ferings, hardships and privations incident to 
the formation of the new settlement, without a 
murmur or word of complaint. During the 
spring of the same year, Nathaniel Wilson, the 
elder: John Green, Allen Green, John and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



Joseph McMullen, Robert Cooper, Isaac 
Shaeffer, and a few others, reached the valley, 
erected cabins, and put in crops. 

"In 1799, Levi Moore, Abraham Bright, 
Major Bright, Ishmael Due and Jesse Spur- 
geon, emigrated with their families from Al- 
legheny County, Maryland, and settled near 
where Lancaster now stands. Part of the 
Company came through by land from Pitts- 
burg, with their horses, and part of their 
horses and goods descended the Ohio in boats 
to the mouth of the Hockhocking, and thence 
ascended the latter in canoes to the mouth of 
Rush creek. The trace from Wheeling to the 
Hockhocking at that time was, in almost its 
entire length, a wilderness, and did not admit 
the passage of wagons. The land party of 
men, on reaching the valley, went down to the 
mouth of the Hockhocking and assisted the 
water party up. They were ten days in ascend- 
ing the river, having upset their canoes several 
times, and damaged their goods. 

"Levi Moore settled with Jesse Spurgeon 
three miles below Lancaster. These pioneers 
are all dead except Mr. Moore. He resides 
near Winchester, in Fairfield County, blessed 
with all this world can give to make him 
happy. * * * 

"James Converse, in 1799. brought from 
Marietta, by way of the Ohio and Hocking 
rivers, nearly a canoe load of merchandise, and 
opened a very large and general assortment of 
dry goods and groceries, in a cabin at Hunter's 
Settlement. He displayed his specimen goods 
on the corners of the cabin, and upon the 
stumps and limbs of trees before his door, dis- 
pensing with the use of flags altogether. He 
of course was a modest man. 

"The General Government directed the public 
domain to be surveyed. The lands were laid 
off in sections of one hundred and forty acres, 
and then subdivided into half and quarter sec- 



tions. Elenathan Schofield, our late fellow- 
citizen, was engaged in the service. 

"In 1800, 1801 and 1802, emigrants con- 
tinued to arrive, and settlements were formed 
in the most distant part of the county. Cabin- 
raisings, clearings and log-rollings, were in 
]jrogress in almost every direction. The set- 
tlers lent each other aid in their raisings and 
other heavy operations requiring many hands. 
By thus mutually assisting one another, they 
were all enabled in due season to provide 
themselves cabins to live in. The log-cabin 
was of paramount consideration. After the 
spot was selected, logs cut and hauled, and 
clap-boards made, the erection was but the 
work of a day. They were of rude construc- 
tion, but not always uncomfortable." 

THE LOG CABIN 

[From Kendall's Life of Jackson.] 

"The log-cabin is the primitive abode of the 
agricultural population throughout Western 
America. Almost the only tools possessed by 
the first settlers were axes, hatchets, knives, 
and a few augers. They had neither saw-mills 
nor carpenters, bricks nor masons, nails nor 
glass. Logs notched and laid across each 
other at the ends, making a pen in the form 
of a square or parallelogram, answered the 
purpose of timber and weatherboarding, and 
constituted the body of the structure. The 
gable-ends were constructed of the same ma- 
terials, kept in place by large poles, extending 
lengthwise the entire length of the building. 
Up and down upon these poles, lapping over 
like shingles, were laid clap boards, split out 
of oak logs, and resembling staves, which were 
kept in their place by other poles laid upon 
them, and confined at the gable-ends. Roofs 
of this sort, well constructed, were a sufficient 
protection from ordinary storms. The crevices 
between the logs, if large, were filled with small 



90 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



stones, chips, or bits of wood, called chink- 
ing, and plastered over with mud inside and 
out; if small, the plastering alone was suffi- 
cient. The earth was often the only floor ; but 
in general, floors were made of puncheons, or 
slabs split from logs hewed smooth, and rest- 
ing on poles. The lofts, or attics, sometimes 
had puncheon floors, and rough ladders were 
the stairways. Chimneys were built of logs 
rudely dovetailed from the outside into those 
constituting one end of th^ structure, which 
were cut to make room for a fire-place, termin- 
ating at the top with split sticks, notched into 
each other, the whole thickly plastered with 
mud inside. Stones laid in mud formed the 
jambs and back walls of the fire-places. The 
doors, made of clap boards, or thin puncheons 
pinned to cross-pieces, were hung on wooden 
hinges, and had wooden latches. Generally 
they had no windows ; the open door and broad 
chimney admitted the light by day, and a rous- 
ing fire or grease lamp was the resource by 
night. In the whole cabin there was neither 
metal nor glass. Sometimes a part of a log 
was cut out for a window, with a piece of 
sliding puncheon to close it. As soon as the 
mechanic and merchant appeared, sashes of 
two or four lights might be seen set into gaps 
cut through the logs. Contemporaneously old 
barrels began to constitute the tops of chim- 
neys, and joist and plank sawed by hand took 
the place of puncheons. 

"The furniture of the primitive log-cabin 
was but little superior to the structure. They 
contained little beyond puncheon benches, and 
stools or blocks of wood for tables and chairs ; 
a small kettle or two answering the manifold 
purposes of buckets, boilers and ovens, and a 
scanty supply of plates, knives, forks and 
spoons, all of which had been packed on horse 
back through the wilderness. Bedsteads thev 



had none ; and their bedding was a blanket or 
two, with bear and deerskins in abundance." 

General Sanderson resumed : 

"The early settlers were a hardy and indus- 
trious people, and for frankness and hospital- 
ity have not been surpassed by any community. 
The men labored on their farms, and the 
women in their cabins. Their clothing was of' 
a simple and comfortable kind. The women 
clothed their families with their own hands, 
spinning and wea\ing for all their inmates the 
necessary linen and woolen clothing. At that 
day no cabins were found without their spin- 
ning-wheels, and it is the proud boast of the 
women that they could use them. As an 
e\Mdence of their industry and saving of time, 
it was not an unfrequent occurrence to see a 
good wife sitting spinning in her cabin upon 
an earthen floor, turning her wheel with one 
foot and rocking her babe in a sugar-trough 
with the other. 

"The people of that day, when opportunity 
ofl^ered (and that was not often), attended 
public worship; and it was nothing new nor 
strange to see a man at church with his rifle — 
his object was to kill a buck either going or 
coming." 

FIRST FUNER.'M. 

"William Green, an emigrant, soon after his 
arrival sickened and died, in May 1798, and 
was buried in a hickory-bark coffin on the west 
bank of Fetters' Run, a few rods north of the 
old Zanesville road, east of Lancaster. This 
was the first death and burial of a settler on 
the Hockhocking. Col. Robert Wilson, of 
Hocking Township, was present and assisted 
at the funeral. The deceased had left his 
family near Wheeling, and came on to build a 
cabin and raise a crop." 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



93 



FOURTH OF JULY 

"In 1800, for the first time in the Hockhock- 
ing settlement, the settlers — men, women and 
children — assembled on the knoll in the prairie 
in front of the present toll-house (the toll- 
house has since been removed farther west. — 
Ed.) on the pike west of Lancaster, and cele- 
brated the Anniversary of American Independ- 
ence. They appointed no President, or other 
officers of the day — no orations delivered or 
toasts drank. They manifested their joy by 
shooting at targets, and discussing a public 
dinner. It may not be improper to say, that 
their repast was served up in magnificent style. 
Although they had neither tables, benches, 
dishes, plates or forks, every substantial in the 
way of a feast was amply provided, such as 
baked pone, johnny-cake, roasted bear's meat, 
jerked turkey, etc. The assemblage dispersed 
at a timely hour in the afternoon, and returned 
to their cabins, full of patriotism and love of 
country. It was my fortune to be present on 
that interesting occasion." 

JOHN CHAPMAN OR "jOHNNY APPLESEEd" 

Early in 180 1 a strange and striking in- 
dividual, by many thought to be a myth, but 
the reality of whose work is proven to this day 
by the gnarled old apple trees standing all over 
Ohio, came to Marietta with his half brother. 
His was a work unheard of up to this time, 
but it has been a blessing and an encourage- 
ment to thousands of people in Pennsylvania, 
Ohio and Indiana. 

This strange man's real name was John 
Chapman, and Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, the 
famous Brooklyn minister, has made him the 
hero of his novel, "The Quest of John Chap- 
man." Where hundreds knew of John Chap- 
man, thousands knew of Johnny Appleseed, the 
name by which he was lovingly called by the 
early settlers. From early life this man had 



a passion for planting apple seed and cultivat- 
ing the trees. 

John Chapman was born in Springfield, 
Mass., in 1775. I" 1801 he with his half 
brother came to Marietta, and a year later his 
father's family followed them. There was a 
large family and many of their descendants 
are scattered over Ohio and Indiana. 

For more than thirty years this eccentric 
man was a familiar figure in Central Ohio. 
He, in 1806, was seen going down the Ohio 
with his canoes lashed together, laden with 
apple seeds, which he had obtained from cider 
presses in western Pennsylvania. Sometimes 
he carried a bag or two on an old horse, but 
oftener carried them on his back. If the dis- 
tance he had to travel was great, he had to 
provide himself with a leather sack, for the 
underbrush, brambles and thorny thickets 
would make it unsafe for a coffee sack. 

He preceded the settlers, purposely keeping 
ahead of them. He would find rich loamy 
land on the banks of streams, clear a small 
space, plant his seeds, enclose the ground and 
leave it till the trees were partly grown. This 
done he would move on to another favorable 
place and here make another planting. When 
the settlers arrived they were rejoiced to find 
that their friend Johnny Appleseed had pre- 
ceded them. It was his custom to travel on 
for a few years, making new plantings and 
then to return to the spots he had previously 
visited. If settlers were found he would sell 
his trees for a mere trifle, often an old coat. 
All through the river valleys of Ohio were 
these orchards planted — in Jefferson, Licking. 
Fairfield, Richland, and in many other counties 
were found the monuments to this eccentric 



man. 



He was quick and restless in his move- 
ments ; his beard and hair were long and dark ; 
his eyes black. He lived a rough, hard, life. 



94 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



He was a blameless man, a Swedenborgian 
by profession, leading a life like the early 
Christians, literally taking no thought for the 
morrow. His clothes were scant, his panta- 
loons old and short; he wore no coat, except 
in severe weather. He wore no shoes so much 
of the time that his feet were hard and horny 
He was well liked by the Indians and was 
never molested by them. He would endure 
pain like an Indian warrior — could thrust pins 
into his flesh without a tremor. Indeed, so 
insensible was he to acute pain, that his treat- 
ment of a wound or sore was to sear it with a 
hot iron and then treat it as a burn. 

In 1838 Johnny Appleseed resolved to go 
farther west. Civilization was making the 
wilderness blossom as the rose; villages were 
springing up and schools were being organized, 
and this dear old man seemed to think that he 
was not a part of this changed condition, and 
so he would seek a new country. He went 
about and bade his friends goodbye. This 
must have been a sad task for the old man, 
who was then getting feeble and one would 
think that he would have preferred to die 
among his friends. He came back two or 
three times in the remaining seven years he 
lived. March 11, 1845, this benefactor of man 
died near Ft. Wayne and was buried two and 
a half miles north of that city. When he died 
he had on, for clothing next to his body a 
coarse coffee sack slipped over his head, around 
his waist parts of four pairs of pantaloons, 
over this a white pair complete. For his good 
deeds he is remembered, and not for his eccen- 
tricities. 

Twelve miles south of Ashland is a monu- 
ment known as the Copus monument. In 
1812 Mr. James Copus and a number of his 
neighbors were killed in a massacre by the 
Indians. In 1882 the monument commemor- 
ating this event was erected. Under the names 



of Copus and the slain soldiers was carved, at 
the suggestion of Miss Rosella Rice, of 
Perrysville, the name of Johnny Appleseed, 
whom she knew well, and those good deeds she 
has commemorated with her pen. 

ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICIALS 

County Auditors 

Samuel Carpenter, 1820 to 1828. 
Henry C. Widler, 1833 to 1837. 
John C. Cassel, 1838. 
John C. Cassel, 1840. 
John C. Cassel, 1842. 
Alfred McVeigh, 1844. 
Alfred McVeigh, 1846. 
William L. Jefifries, 1848. 
William L. Jeffries, 1850. 
William L. Jeffries, 1852. 
Jas. W. Fowson, 1854. 
A. J. Dildine, 1856. 
A. ). Dildine, 1858. 
^^'illiam Robinson, i860. 
William Robinson, 1862. 
William Shopp, 1864. 
\\'illiam Shopp, 1866. 
Louis Blaire, 1868. 
Louis Blaire, 1870. 
John C. Hite, 1873. 
John C. Hite, 1875. 

Mr. Hite served to November, 1877, and 
was followed by Ephraim Ackers, who died in 
ofiice in November, 1881. Benj. F. Dum was 
appointed to the vacancy and continued to 
serve until Sept., 1889. 

R. F. Brown served from September, 1889, 
to October, 1895. 

Ad H. Cinder served from October, 1895, to 
October, 1901. 

Fred L. Mauger served from October. 1901. 
to October 21, 1907, when he was succeeded 
bv Palmer Howard, who retired October 16, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



191 1, and has been succeeded by George J. 
Gearhart. 

COMMISSIONERS 

The first county commissioners, appointed 
by the Court of Quarter Sessions, evidently in 
i8oi, were Nathaniel Wilson, Jr., James 
Denny and Jacob Van Metre. 

The oldest commissioners' journal among 
the old Court House records shows that the 
incumbents of the office March 6, 1843, were 
Thomas Carlisle, David Brown and Thos. T. 
McCausland. 

The following dates show respectively the 
first meetings after changes in the personnel 
of the board : 



Brown, 
Brown, 



Michael 



Ebright, 



Michael 



William 



Dec. 18, 1844 — David 
Ebright, Abraham Decker. 

Dec. I, 1845 — David 
Ebright, William Smith. 

Dec. 7, 1846 — Michael 
Smith, William Pannabecker. 

Dec. 6, 1847 — William Pannabecker, Wil- 
liam Smith, Samuel Shaeffer. 

William Smith died in office and Thomas 
Rees was appointed to fill the vacancy on 
March 6, 1848. 

Oct. 27, 1852 — Samuel Shaeffer, Thomas 
Rees, Daniel Tshoop. 

Nov. 2, 1853 — Thomas Rees, Daniel 
Tshopp, Daniel Collins. 

Oct. 28, 1854 — Daniel Tshopp, Daniel Col- 
lins, Andrew Peters. 

Dec. 3, 1855 — Daniel Collins, Andrew Pet- 
ers. Joseph Sharp. 

Dec. 7, 1857 — Joseph Sharp, Daniel Collins, 
John W. Cunningham. 

Oct. 3. 1859 — John \\'. Cunningham. Joseph 
Sharp, Henry F. Blair. 

May 3. i860 — John W. Cunningham, Joseph 
Sharp, Jonas H. Baker. 



95 

Cunningham, 



Nov. 8, i860— John W 
Joseph Sharp, Henry Alspach. 

Oct. 26, 1861— Henry Alspach, John W. 
Cunningham, Joel Shaeffer. 

Nov. 21, 1863— Joel Shaeffer, Henry Als- 
pach, Christopher Trovinger. 

Nov. II, 1865— Christopher Trovinger, Joel 
Shaeffer, Ervin Moore. 

Nov. I, 1867— Ervin Moore, Christopher 
Trovinger, A. B. Gillett. 

The records of the commissioners' proceed- 
ings are missing from May 29, 1868, to Nov. 
16, 1 87 1. On the latter date the commission- 
ers were Henry Borchers, A. B. Gillett and 
Caleb E. Moore. 

Dec. I. 1873— Caleb E. Moore. Henry 
Borches. Thomas Barr. 

Dec. 6, 1875— Caleb E. Moore, Thomas 
Barr, William Fink. 

Dec. 3. 1877— AVilliam Fink, Thomas Barr, 
A\'illiam McClenaghan. 

Dec. I, 1879— William McClenaghan, Wil- 
liam Fink, Henry Langel. 

Dec. 5. 1 88 1 — Henry Langel, William Mc- 
Clenaghan, Enos S. Miller. 

Dec. 3, 1883— Enos S. :\Iiller, Henry Lan- 
gel, Isaac Kerns. 

Dec. 7, 1885 — Enos S. Miller, Isaac Kerns, 
Allen D. Friesner. 

Isaac Kerns died in office in May, 1887. and 
S. Theodore Shaeffer was appointed to fill the 
vacancy June 4, 1887. 

Jan. 3, 1888 — Allen D. Frisner, John Hizey, 
Henry W. Gehrett. 

Jan. 4, 1892 — Henry W. Gehrett. John 
Hizey. Isaiah Vorys. 

Jan. I. 1894 — Isaiah Vorys, Henry W." 
Gehrett. A. J. Arnold. 

Sept. 21. 1896 — A. J. Arnold, Isaiah Vorys, 
Theodore Shallenberger. 

Sept. 19. 1898 — Theodore Shallenberger, A. 
J. Arnold. Nicholas Stuckey. 



96 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Sept. 17, 1900 — Nicholas Stuckey, Theodore 
Shallenberger, Jacob Simon. 

Sept. 15, 1902 — Jacob Simon, Nicholas 
Stuckey, Mike King. 

Sept. 19, 1904 — Mike King, Jacob Simon, 
Jacob Schopp. 

Sept. 17, 1906 — Jacob Schopp, Mike King, 
R. S. Hine. 

Sept. 20, 1909 — R. S. Hine, James Duncan, 
Alonzo Parrish. 

R. S. Hine has been succeeded by W. H. 
Creager. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, 1812-I909 

Lancaster, Ohio, Dec. 21st, 19 10. 
Hon. C. C. Miller, Lima, Ohio. 
My Dear Sir : — 

In reply to your letter of a few days ago, 
asking me to furnish you with a list of the 
prosecuting attorneys of Fairfield County, I 
am sending you herewith the list with date of 
holding office, as near as I can gather it from 
the records. The records in past years are not 
very lucid, and I have had no little trouble 
in collecting this data. There is no record 
of a prosecutor prior to the year 1812, but 
from that date until the present, I think the 
record I am giving you to be very authentic. 
There seems to have been no less than three 
prosecutors from 1882 to 1886, John Mc- 
Cormich dying in office and David T. Clover 
having been succeeded by Levi Hite. 
Very truly yours, 

Thurman T. Courtright, 
Pros. Atty. Fairfield Co., O. 

prosecuting attorneys, 1812 TO 1909 

Robert Slaughter, 1812 to 181 5. 

Robert Douglass, 1815 to 1816. 

J. B. Orton, 1816. 

Robert Douglass, 1816 to 1818. 

Thomas Ewing, 18 18 to 1830. 

P. Beecher, 1830. 

H. H. Hunter, 1830 to 1838. 

William H. Irvin, 1838 to 1844. 



Washington V. Ham, 1844 to 1846. 
Emanuel Giesy, 1846 to 1848. 
Wm. R. Rankin, 1848 to 1852. 
Virgil E. Shaw, 1852 to 1854. 
Alfred Williams, 1854 to 1856. 
J. W. Stinchomb, 1856 to i860. 
Wm. T. Wise, i860 to 1862. 
Tollman Slough, 1862 to 1866. 
Wm. A. Shultz, 1866 to 1870. 
John G. Reeves, 1870 to 1876. 
Thomas H. Dolson, 1876 to 1882. 
John McCormick, David T. Clover, Levi 
Hite, 1882 to 1886. 

M. A. Daugherty, 1886 to 1892. 
J. M. Wright, 1892 to 1898. 
W. T. McClenaghan, 1898 to 1903. 
F. M. Acton, 1903 to 1909. 
Thurman T. Courtright, 1909 to . 

PROBATE judges 

A complete list of the Probate Judges who 
have held the office since it was created in 
1852. Joel Radebaugh, served from Feb. 9, 
1852, to October, 1853, when he resigned and 
was succeeded by Jesse Loehner, who was 
appointed by the Governor for the unexpired 
term, about Nov. 7, 1853. The records do not 
state at what time Radebaugh resigned or 
Leohner commenced his term, but the last 
entry on the journal signed by Radebaugh is 
Oct. 29, 1853, and the first entry signed by 
Leohner is Nov. 7, 1853, so the resignation of 
Radebaugh and the commencement of 
Leohner's term are on or between these dates. 

Virgil E. Shaw, 1855 to 1858. 
Jesse Leohner, 1858 to 1867. 
Abraham Seifert, 1867 to 1873. 
William L. Rigby. 1873 to 1879. 
S. Theodore Shaeffer, 1879 to 1885. 
J. T. Busby, 1885 to 1 89 1. 
Edward C. Rutter, 1 891 to 1897. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



97 



William A. Schultz served from Feb. 9, 
1897, to Jan. 2, 1899, on which day he died. 

H. C. Drinkle was appointed by the Gov- 
ernor as his successor and assumed his duties 
as Judge, Jan. 7, 1899, and served to Nov. 11, 
1899, when he was succeeded by George Cim- 
ningham, who was elected to fill the vacancy 
and who served to Feb. 8, 1909. 

A. B. Kiefaber served from 1900 to 1906. 

E. F. Holland from 1906 and whose term 
will expire Feb. 9, 191 3. The terms of all the 
above commenced on Feb. 9 with the excep- 
tions above noted. 

CLERKS OF COURTS 

Lancaster, O., June 19, 191 1. 

I have searched the Court records of Fair- 
field county, Ohio, back to the year 1803 and 
I find that the following named men have 
served as clerk of courts : 

Hugh Boyd, 18 10 or 12 to 1830. 

M. Z. Kreider, 1830 to 1840. 

Joel Radebaugh, 1840 to 1858 as clerk and 
clerk pro tem. 

Jno. C. Rainey, 1858 to 1870. 

J. F. Vandermark, 1870 to 1876. 

Chas. Rainey, 1876 to 1882. 

Wm. H. Wolf, 1882 to 1888. 

W. B. Henry, 1888 to 1894. 

Edson L. Shaw, 1894 to 1898. 

Clay Shaw, unexpired term 1898 to 1900. 

W. J. Fritz, 1900 to 1906. 

Geo. M. Morris. 1906 to 191 1. 

Daniel Fauble, 191 1, Aug. ist, Monday, to 
19 — . Geo. M. Morris. 

school examiners 

Lancaster, Ohio, July 24th, 1911. 
Hon. C. C. Miller, 
My Dear Sir: — 

I enclose you a list of the School Examiners 
of Fairfield County as disclosed by the rec- 
ords. I have submitted the list to several of 



the older teachers of the county, as well as 
carefully examining the records in the office, 
and believe it is practically correct. 
Respectfully, 

E. F. HOLL.\ND. 

April 20th, 1853, Newton Schleich, Dr. John 
M. Bigelow and Virgil E. Shaw were ap- 
pointed. 

June 2nd, 1853, Dr. Bigelow resigned and 
Rev. John M. Lowrie was appointed. 

Oct. 20th, 1854, Virgil E. Shaw resigned 
and Martin Kagay was appointed. 

Oct. i8th, 1856, Rev. Lowrie resigned and 
Rev. John B. Sackett was appointed. 

May 1st, 1858, Rev. J. F. Reinmund was ap- 
pointed for 2 years. Mr. Reinmund was again 
appointed Sept. 9th, 1865, for 2 years. 

Aug. 6th, 1859, Rev. Sackett resigned and 
William Whitney was appointed for 2 years. 

May 2ist, i860, Uriah C. Rutter was ap- 
pointed and served until Nov. 20, 1865, when 
he resigned. 

July 22nd, 1 86 1, John Williams was ap- 
pointed for 2 years. 

Aug. 15th. 1861, Joseph Feeman was 
appointed for 2 years. 

Oct. 14th, 1863, J. C. Harper was appointed 
for 2 years. 

Oct. 22nd. 1863, J. C. Hartzler was ap- 
pointed and served until Sept. 3, 1866, when he 
resigned. 

Sept. 3rd, 1866, Isaac Roose was appointed 
and served until Sept. 5. 1869. 

Dec. 27th, 1866, Levi Hartzler was ap- 
pointed for 2 years. Mr. Hartzler was again 
appointed to succeed Isaac Roose. 

Nov. 20th, 1865, Rev. John I. Swander was 
appointed for 2 years. 

Sept. 9th, 1867, C. Wilkinson was appointed 
for 2 years. 

Oct. 26th, 1867. David Cole was appointed 
for 2 years. 



98 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Nov. 1 6th, 1868, D. J. Snyder was appointed 
for 2 years, but resigned Aug. 10, 1869. 

August loth, i86g, J. J. Wagner was ap- 
pointed and served until July 23, 1879. 

July 14th, 1874, A. Freed was appointed for 
3 years and on the same day Geo. W. Welsh 
was appointed for i year. Freed resigned 
Aug. 26th, 1875. Mr. Welsh served until 
July 23rd, 1879, when he resigned. 

Aug. 26th, 1875, S. S. Knabenshue was ap- 
pointed to fill the unexpired term of A. Freed, 
resigned. 

July 14th, 1877, William H. Wolfe was ap- 
pointed and served until Feb. 4th, 1882, when 
he resigned. 

July 23rd, 1879, James M. Stewart was ap- 
pointed and served 9 years. 

July 15th, 1881, William G. Henry was ap- 
pointed and served 6 years. 

Feb. 4th, 1882, James C. Barr was appointed 
and served until Aug. 31, 1886. 

July 2 1st, 1886, Frank P. Schisler was 
appointed and served 6 years. 

Aug. 15th, 1887, A. B. Kiefaber was 
appointed and served 6 years. 

Aug. 31st, 1888, D. B. Kumler was ap- 
pointed and served 3 years. 

Aug. 27th, 1 89 1, D. C. Arnold was ap- 
pointed and served until his death, March 3rd, 
1896. 

Aug. 25th, 1892, L. L. Wagner was 
appointed and served until March 2, 1895. 

Aug. 25th, 1893, Geo. M. Morris was 
appointed and served 6 years. 

March 2nd, 1895, William J. Dum was 
appointed and served until Aug. 31, 1901. 

March 3rd, 1896, Samuel J. Wolfe was 
appointed and served until Aug. 31, 1903. 

Aug. 5th, 1899, H. C. Bailey was appointed 
and served 3 years. 

Aug., 1 90 1, William Walter was appointed 
and served 6 years. 



Aug., 1902, J. H. Horton was appointed and 
served 6 years. 

Aug., 1903, Isaac R. Hewetson was ap- 
pointed and served until Nov. 30, 1907, when 
he resigned. 

Aug., 1907, Perry W. Fattig was appointed 
and served 3 years. 

Nov. 30th, 1907, Nelson W. Frasure was 
appointed and served until Aug. 31, 1909. 

Aug., 1908, M. E. Osbourne was appointed. 

Aug., 1909, Ed. S. Ruffner was appointed. 

Aug., 1910, Allen D. Groves was appointed. 

THE BO.-VRD TOD.W, I9I2 

M. E. Osbourne, clerk, Thurston, Aug. 31, 
1912. 
A. D. Groves, Lancaster, Aug. 31, 19 13. 
E. C. Dilger, Carroll, Aug. 31, 1914. 

NAMES AND POST-OFFICE ADDRESSES OF CLERKS 

OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION IN FAIRFIELD 

COUNTY, OHIO, FOR I912 

(All Township Clerks are, by law, the 
Clerks of the Township Boards of Education.) 

City Districts 

Lancaster — Robert M. Miller, Lancaster. 

Village Districts 

Amanda — Chas. R. Lewis, Amanda. 

Baltimore — Jos. L. Montgomery, Balti- 
more. 

Basil — J. ^^'. Buchanan, Basil. 

Bremen — J. H. Leonard, Bremen. 

Carroll — Chas. E. Kistler, Carroll. 

Lithopolis — .\. I. Crumley. Lithopolis. 

Pleasantville — D. E. Sites, Pleasantville. 

Rushville — Chas. R. Turner, Rushville. 

Sugar Grove — Henry Cooney, Sugar 
Grove. 

West Rushville — C. A. Johnston, West 
Rushville. 



) 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



99 



Township Districts. 

Amanda — Bert Borchers, Amanda. 
Berne — Tal Baumgardner, Lancaster. 
Bloom — Geo. R. Weiser, Lithopolis. 
Clercreek — C. O. Barr, Stoutsville. 
Greenfield — O. C. Moore, Carroll. 
Hocking — C. D. Hoffman, Lancaster. 
Liberty — \Vm. L. Macklin, Basil. 
Madison — O. P. Shaeffer, Amanda. 
Pleasant — Fred A. Hampson, Pleasantville. 
Richland— R. W. Hyde, Rushville. 
Rushcreek — John W. McCullough, Bremen. 
Violet — P. A. Kraner, Pickerington. 
Walnut — L. H. Soliday, Thurston. 

CORONERS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY ELECTED 
SINCE 1826, WITH YE.\R OF ELECTION 

Gotleib Steinman, August i, 1826; John U. 
Geisey, 1832; Maris Levering, 1838; James 
Brown, 1840; Jacob Sites, 1846; William Le- 
fever, 1848; E. A. Richards, 1858; William 
Bush, 1866; William Halderman, 1874; 
Thomas R. Tarpy, 1878; Simpson Sturgeon, 
1882; William Jeffries, 1886; Samuel Cly, 
1888; Joseph McNeil, 1903; Thomas J. Keir- 
nan. 1905; Peter Bugh, 1908 and 1910. 

SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES 

The following is a list of all the members of 
the General Assembly of Ohio from 1808 to 
1912, inclusive, who were citizens of Fairfield 
County. The date shows the year of their 
election. 

REPRESENTATIVES 

1808, Patrick Owings and Elijah B. Mer- 
win. 

1809, Thomas Swearingen and Thomas 
I jams. 

1810, Thomas Swearingen and Thomas 
I jams. 

181T, Thomas Ijams and Richard Hooker. 



1812, Richard Hooker, Nathaniel Wilson, 
Sr., George Nye, Sr. 

18 13, Emanuel Carpenter, John Leist and 
Benj. Smith. 

1814, Benj. Smith, Richard Hooker and 
John Leist. 

1815, Benj. Smith, Richard Hooker and 
John Leist. 

1816, John Leist, Jacob Claypool, Jacob 
Catherlin. 

181 7, Daniel Smith, Robert F. Slaughter, 
John Leist. 

1818, Daniel Smith, Jacob Claypool, John 
Leist. 

1819, Robert F. Slaughter and John Leist. 

1820, William Trimble and Valentine Reber. 

1 82 1, Robert F. Slaughter and George 
Sanderson. 

1822, George Sanderson and Jacob Clay- 
pool. 

1823, George Sanderson and Robert F. 
Slaughter. 

1824, John Leist and Robert F. Slaughter. 

1825, George Sanderson and ^^'illiam W. 
Irvin. 

1826, William W. Irvin and Samuel 
Spangler. 

1827, \\'illiam \\'. Tr\in and Samuel 
Spangler. 

1828, Samuel Spangler and John Chaney. 

1829, John Chaney and David Ewing. 

1830, Da\id Ewing and John Chaney. 

183 1, David Ewing and Samuel Spangler. 

1832, David Ewing and M. Z. Kreider. 

1833, Jos. Stukey and John M. Creed. 

1834, Jos. Stukey and John M. Creed. 

1835, William Medill and John M. Creed. 

1836, William Medill and John Grabill. 

1837, William Medill and John Grabill. 

1838, John Brough. 

1839, Louis Hite. 

1840, Charles Brough. 



100 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1 84 1, William McClung. 

1842, John Chaney and William McClung. 

1843, Jacob Green and Joseph Sharp. 

1844, David H. Swartz and Andrew Foust. 

1845, Andrew P'oust and David H. Sharp. 

1846, Salmon Shaw and David Lyle. 

1847, David Lyle and Salmon Shaw. 

1848, Daniel Keller. 

1849, Daniel Keller. 

1850, Christian Baker. 

Here the rule changes by the new Constitu- 
tion under which the legislature is elected every 
two years, the first General Assembly under it 
being chosen in 1852 and thereafter every 
other year. The following dates refer to the 
meeting of the legislature instead of, as pre- 
viously, the year of choosing the members. 
1852, Christian Baker. 
1854, Samuel H. Porter. 
1856, John Chaney and David Lyle. 
1858, B. W. Carlisle and T. W. Bigory. 
i860, B. W. Carlisle. 
1862, J. C. Jeffries. 
1864, Edson B. Olds. 
1866, U. C. Butler. 
1868, U. C. Butler. 

1870, Geo. S. Baker and Jesse Leohner. 
1872, Jesse Leohner. 

1874, George S. Baker. 

1876, Adam Seifert. 

1878, Abram Seifert. 

1880, Robert L. Sharp. 

1882, Robert L. Sharp. 

1884, William A. Schultz. 

1886, William A. Schultz. 

1888, Thos. H. Dill. 

1890, Thos. H. Dill. 

1892, Jas. H. Farrell. 

1894. Jas. H. Farrell. 

1896, Geo. W. Lamb. 

1898, Geo. W. Lamb. 

1900, Robert H. Sharp. 



1902, Robert H. Sharp. 
1906, J. M. Steward. 
1909, Albert F. Turner. 
191 1, Albert F. Turner. 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 

Frank P. Miller, Lancaster, O., delegate for 
Fairfield County. 

SENATORS 

1808, Elnathan Scofield. 

1809, Jacob Burton and Elnathan Sco- 
field. 

18 10, William Trimble and Robert F. 
Slaughter. 

181 1, Robert F. Slaughter and WiUiam 
Trimble. 

181 2, William Trimble. 

1813, William Trimble. 

1814, William Trimble. 

1815, William Trimble. 

1816, William Trimble. 

181 7, William Trimble. 

1 81 8, Richard Hooker. 

1819, Richard Hooker. 

1820, Elnathan Scofield. 

1 82 1, Elnathan Scofield. 

1822, Elnathan Scofield. 

1823, John Creed. 

1824, Jacob Claypool. 

1825, Jacob Claypool. 

1826, Robert F. Slaughter. 

1827, Robert F. Slaughter. 

1828, Robert F. Slaughter. 

1830, Robert F. Slaughter. 

1 83 1, Robert F. Slaughter. 

1832, Samuel Spangler. 

1833, Samuel Spangler. 

1834, Samuel Spangler. 

1835, Samuel Spangler. 

1836, Samuel Spangler. 

1837, Samuel Spangler. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



101 



1838, Samuel Spangler. 

1839, Samuel Spangler. 

1840, Samuel Spangler. 

1 84 1, Samuel Spangler. 

1844, John Chaney. 

1845, John Chaney. 

1848, Henry C. Whitman. 

1849, Henry C. Whitman. 

1850, Andrew Foust. 
1856, John T. Brazee. 
1858, Newton Schleich. 
i860, Newton Schleich. 
1862, Alfred McVeigh. 
1864, John M. Connell. 
1870, Michael A. Daugherty. 
1872, Michael A. Daugherty. 
1874, Robert E. Reese. 
1876, Robert E. Reese. 
1878, Basil W. Carlisle. 



1880, Basil W. Carlisle. 
1882, C. S. Foresman. 
1884, Calvin S. Welch. 
1886, Calvin S. Welch. 
1888, Charles Townsend. 
1890, V. C. Lowrey. 
1892, John O. Abbot. 
1894, John O. Abbot. 
1896, Charles S. Dana. 
1898, Charles A. Cable. 
1900, Samuel H. Bright. ' 
1902, David H. Moore. 
1904, David H. Moore. 
1906, Joseph S. Sites. 

1908, Joseph S. Sites. 

1909, Edward M. Gillette. 

1910, Christ McKee (Noble County). 

191 1, Christ McKee (Noble County). 



CHAPTER V 

LANCASTER— THE COUNTY SEAT 

The Beginning of Things — History of Location, A'aiiie, and Sale of Lots by Ebenezer Zane 
— First Born — First Schools and Teachers — Mail Routes, Post Office and Postmasters 
— Commercial Lancaster — Board of Trade — Monbers of Public Boards — Water Works 
— Fire Department — The Famous Lancaster Bar — An Historic Structure — Pictures on 
Memory's ITalls — Remarks on Hocking H. Hunter by John T. Brasec, Sr. — Lancaster's 
Distinguished Visitors — Lancaster Public Library — Municipal Officers — List of Mayors 
from iS^i to 1912 — Lancaster Country Club — Lancaster — The City Beautiful. 



THE BEGINNING OF THINGS. 

We are all interested in first things — in 
the oldest things — whether they be the work 
of man or of nature. In the founding of a 
great state, a county or a city, the interest 
is just as intense, and we of today love to 
read the names and recall the deeds of those 
who felled the primeval forest, bridged the 
stream, and made the valley blossom like the 
rose. We are interested in them because they 
made possible the comforts and refinements 
of today. It is, therefore, not only a duty, 
but a very great pleasure to begin this chap- 
ter on Lancaster with the names and deeds 
of those who were truly pioneers. 

"Ebenezer Zane was the owner of a section 
of land, one mile square, upon which Lan- 
caster was built. He acquired this section 
from the Government, as part compensation 
for opening "Zane's Trace," from Wheeling, 



West Virginia, to Limestone, (Maysville), 
Kentucky, in 1797. 

His article of agreement, with the first pur- 
chasers of lots, is as follows: 

Article of agreement, made and entered into 
by and between Ebenezer Zane, of Ohio 
county. Virginia, and the purchasers of lots 
in the town of Lancaster, county of Fairfield, 
territory northwest of the Ohio river, now 
for sale in lots, on the east side of the Hock- 
ing river, by Ebenezer Zane. 

Section I. — The lots to be numbered in 
squares, beginning at the northwest corner 
of the town, and thence alternately from north 
to south, and from south to north, agreeable 
to the general draft of the town. 

Section II.- — One-fourth of the purchase 
money will be required to be paid two weeks 
from the date of this article. The residue 
of three-fourths will be required on or be- 
fore the fourteenth dav of November, one 



102 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



103 



thousand eight hundred and two, to be ap- 
proved by secured notes, bearing lawful in- 
terest, from the fourteenth day of November, 
one thousand eight hundred. 

Section III. — Square number sixteen, in- 
cluding five lots situated in the southeast cor- 
ner of the town, was thereafter to be held 
in trust, for the use of a graveyard, the erec- 
tion of a schoolhouse, a house of worship, 
and such other buildings as may be found 
necessary, all of which to be under the direc- 
tion of trustees for the time being. 

Also, four lots at the intersection of the 
two main streets, running east and west, north 
and south, known by appellation of the center 
square, are given for the purpose of erecting 
public buildings not heretofore specified, but 
under the supervision of the trustees. 

Section IV. — Possession will be given im- 
mediately to purchasers complying with Sec- 
tion II of this article; when fully complied 
with, the said Ebenezer Zane and heirs bind 
themselves to make a deed to the purchasers, 
their heirs and assigns. If the terms be not 
fully complied with, the lot shall be considered 
forfeited, and returned again to the original 
holder. 

Section V. — For the convenience of the 
town, one-fourth part of an acre, lying west 
of the lot numbered two, in the square num- 
bered three, including two springs, will be, 
and are hereby given for the use of its in- 
habitants, as the trustees of the town may 
think proper. 

Section VI. — In consideration of the ad- 
vantages that arise from the early settlement 
of mechanics in a town, and the encourage- 
ment of those who may first settle, lot num- 
ber three, in the twentieth square; number 
six, in the fifteenth square; number six, in 
the twelfth square; will be given, one to a 



blacksmith, one to a house carpenter and 
joiner, and one to a tanner, all of whom are 

to settle, and continue in the town, pursuing 
their respective trades, for the term of four 
years, at which time the aforesaid Zane binds 
himself to make them a free deed. 

In testimony of all and singular, the prem- 
ises, the said Ebenezer Zane, by his attorneys, 
Noah and John Zane, hath hereunto set his 
hand and fixed his seal, this fourteenth day 
of November, in the year of our Lord 1800. 

Ebenezer Zane. 

A full list of the names of the first settlers 
of Lancaster are here given, the last one dy- 
ing more than forty years ago. They pur- 
chased their lots during the years 18001-2: 

Emanuel Carpenter, Noah McCullough, 
Jacob Taylor, Ralph Duddleston. Ebenezer 
Marten, Peter Reber, John Barr, John Reed, 
J. Denny, Benjamin Allen, Nathaniel Willes, 
Thomas Worthington, Thomas Terree, Noah 
Zane, John Zane, Jeremiah Conaway, Jacob 
Teller, Peter Teller, Philip Teller, B. Teller. 
Abraham Reeger, Nathaniel Johnston, Wil- 
liam Trimble. William Stoops. Thomas 
Barr, Joseph Beard, Nathaniel Wilson, 
James Denny, Kerp Grubb. and Hampson, 
Michael Skoag. Joseph McMullen, John Mc- 
Mullen, Thomas Sturgeon, John Overdear, 
Rudolph Pitcher, Ralph Morris, Joseph Hun- 
ter, Jacob Woolford. Henry Meison. James 
Converse, George Coffenberry, James Hanson, 
John Williamson, Samuel Coats, William 
Harper, Mary Pastor, John Vanmeter. Solo- 
mon Reese, James Hardy, William Rabb. John 
Lynch. John Jups, John Carson, Amasa De- 
lano. Henry Westwine. 

Lancaster, the county seat of Fairfield 
County, received its name as complimentary to 
Lancaster. Pennsylvania, many of its first 



104 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



citizens being former residents of that town 
and county. 

It was first called New Lancaster, but it 
soon became obvious that confusion would 
arise in the mail service between New Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania, and New Lancaster, 
Ohio. To avoid this, the Legislature of 1805 
changed the name to that of Lancaster. 

The place continued, however, to be called 



line of Berne township, where Maple street 
is now located, running due north and south, 
so that citizens residing east of that line, and 
all of East Lancaster, were in Berne town- 
ship. By an act of the Legislature, East Lan- 
caster was annexed to Lancaster, and con- 
stituted the Fifth ward. By the same act, 
the boundaries of Lancaster were extended 
one mile each way, making a square of two 



M - J-Its^ StT&e.t: 



JV. 



t 



? 

«. 



ft 



^^^ Sen. J,h^ ^cofii^ii 

Bra.$ee . 






of £^-ura,-rcl l/yet-x-Ur, ^ 
e.3.it<fr of "Tht £^^1e< 



a,lZe.y iJhz.ch ^r tfe.e'tcar? Li?it, 

PLAN OF A HALF BLOCIv IN LANCASTER, 0., SHOWING 

FAMOUS MEN AND 



Jfame of Tho^jMriTig* 

ff&n'Zhujh 

./ ThoS' 

2fa.ut. SZUn m*d 

Sen I. She rm tin. 



^'^ \ I 

cL <vu.t. of Ch. tf. T-Ze ^. 
J/a,^ tan Col . Tl eese, 

Ha»ve trfC};<L$ \ \ 






X 

) 



THE LOCATION OF RESIDENCES OF SOME 
WOMEN. 



New Lancaster for years afterwards, and 
mistakes in sending letters continued to oc- 
cur, until 1840, Pennsylvania mail being re- 
ceived at Lancaster, Ohio, and letters intended 
for the latter place, were carried to the former. 
Lancaster is situated on the east bank of 
the Hocking river, and in the northeast cor- 
ner of Hocking township. In 1877, its east- 
ern boundary was parallel with the western 



miles, which territory was by law annexed 
to Lancaster township, with a municipal or- 
ganization independent of the city proper." — 
Graham's History of Fairfield County. 



FIRST BORN. 



This is a question rather difficult to settle 
at this late date, and we shall, therefore, not 
attempt to decide it. In Chapter IV we have 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



105 



given quite a lengthy discussion of the rela- 
tive claims of Hocking H. Hunter who is 
generally regarded by the people of Lancas- 
ter as the first white child born within the 
limits of the county, and Allen Green, son 
of John Green and his wife, Mrs. Ruhama 
Bilderback Green. 

Hocking H. Hunter was born August i, 
1 80 1, and it is claimed that in the year 1798 
Allen Green was born. Still another claimant 
for this honor is Delilah Shaeffer, who was 
the daughter of Isaac Shaeffer and was born 
in 1800. Mr. Levi Stewart, for many years 
a resident of Lancaster and still living when 
Dr. Scott wrote his History of Fairfield 
County, claimed to be 13 months older than 
Hocking H. Hunter. We have great respect 
for the writings of Dr. Scott on historical 
matters. His "History of Fairfield County" 
was the editor's "boy's own book" and the 
first history of its kind he had ever seen. 
These statements are entitled to attention. 
Dr. Henry Howe is also a writer of authority, 
as is A. A. Graham, and for this reason we 
have, in this book, quoted the three authori- 
ties upon the question of the first white child 
born in Lancaster and Fairfield County. 

EARLY SCHOOLS OF LANCASTER 

There were private schools in log cabin 
days, near Columbus street, taught by James 
Hunter, and one on Main Street, taught by 
Miss Flora Butler as early as 181 2. In 1820, 
a two-story brick building was erected on 
Wheeling street for an academy. Gen. P. 
Beecher, Elnathan Scofield, William W. Ir- 
win, Robert F. Slaughter, John Noble, 
Thomas Ewing, Charles R. Sherman, Gotlieb 
Steinman, John Creed, Hugh Boyle were the 
promoters. John T. Brasee was principal for 
Howe took charge of it between 1825 and 
1830. This first academy, called Lancaster 



six months in 1825. Samuel L. and Mark 
Academy, was discontinued and the Howes 
erected a large frame building on MuU^erry 
street, where they conducted an academy of 
their own. They educated many young men. 
Senator Sherman says of them: "I entered 
(1835) the academy of Mark and Matthew 
Howe, then well established and of good 
reputation and deservedly so. 

"The schoolrooms were large and furnished 
with desks and chairs, an improvement on the 
old benches with boards in front. Latin was 
taught but little. From the first, arithmetic, 
algebra and surveying were my favorite stud- 
ies and in those I became proficient. We had 
an improvised theatre in which we acted plays 
and made speeches. Matthew Howe was the 
regulator, teacher and dominie. All the boys 
respected him, for he certainly was a good 
teacher. Some time in the forties the Howes 
left Lancaster." 

The public schools of Lancaster opened 
May 30, 1830, on Columbus street, south of 
Main street in a building then known as the 
"Old Reformed Church." William Charles 
was the teacher and Samuel Carpenter, 
George Sanderson, Henry Dubble were the 
trustees. Another school was opened on Wal- 
nut street, with Louis A. Blair as teacher. In 
1838 two more schools were opened, 1842 
another, but because the public school fund 
was small, these schools could run only four 
months a year. This fact created a demand 
for private schools and filled Howe's Acad- 
emy. Henry M. Booth, the father of the 
distinguished attorney, H. J. Booth, of Co- 
lumbus, came to Lancaster in 1843 ^"^ con- 
ducted a private school. Later he entered the 
public schools, and taught until his death in 

1853. 

In 1847 a public meeting of citizens was 
held at the courthouse to devise some way 



106 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to improve the efficiency of tlie schools. As 
a result the Legislature passed an act (1848) 
for the support and regulation of the schools 
of Lancaster, known as the Union School 
Law. This divided the town into two dis- 
tricts, North and South. The North District 
built a two-story brick building in 1849. John 
S. Whitnell was the first superintendent and 
teacher of the high school. He received $600 
per year and his assistant, M. M. Barker, $300. 
Lancaster became a common school district 
in 1850 and John Reber, John D. Martin, 
Robert Reed, John L. Tuthill, Jacob Hite and 
J. C. Rainey became the first board of edu- 
cation. 

So much for the beginnings of education 
in Lancaster ; further information will be 
found in Chapter XIV. 

FIRST MAIL ROUTE AND POSTMASTERS 

"In 1799, the government established a mail 
route from Wheeling, Virginia, to Limestone, 
Ky., to be carried on horseback over Zane's 
Trace, once a week each way, the whole dis- 
tance being 226 miles. With the exception 
of a few cabins at the crossing of the Mus- 
kingum, Hocking and Scioto rivers, almost the 
entire distance was an unbroken wilderness. 
The line was divided into three routes. The 
first extended from Wheeling to Muskingum, 
the second from the Muskingum to the Scioto, 
and the third from that to the Ohio at Lime- 
stone. This was the first mail route in the 
'Northwest Territory.' " 

Lancaster was not long without a postoffice 
and a postmaster, for in 1799 Samuel Coates, 
Sr., was appointed postmaster and kept the 
office in his cabin and, like Lincoln, carried 
the letters around in his hat. Upon his death 
his son served in his stead. As the village 
grew into a town and the town into a city, 
better buildings were used for postoffices and 



better equipment was obtained. Perhaps one 
of the most noted carriers in the history of 
the Lancaster postoffice was Gen. George 
Sanderson. He was the carrier between Lan- 
caster and Chillicothe when a lad of fifteen 
years of age. He was faithful, earnest and 
honest, knowing no danger and with a loyalty 
to his task that knew no bounds. His route 
was over the old Zane's Trace. 

In a few years after the opening of this 
"Star Route" over the old Zane Trace, the 
government introduced wagons for the mail 
service, which were to be used six months 
in the year; the other six months the mail 
was to be carried on horseback. Rates of 
postage in those early days differed greatly 
from those of today. They were regulated 
by distance and not by weight. The charge 
was 514 cents for 50 miles or less; 12^ cents 
for from 50 to 150 miles; 18% cents up to 
300 miles and 25 cents to any part of the 
United States. Today a letter may be sent 
from Lancaster to London, England, for two 
cents, and to the ends of the earth for five 
cents. 

The old fashioned letters were written on 
iL single sheet and so folded as to form the 
envelope. This was sealed with wax and thus 
made secure. If two sheets were used the 
postage was doubled. 

POSTMASTERS OF LANCASTER 

Early in the history of Lancaster the post- 
office was in a cabin at the west end of Wheel- 
ing street and remained there until about i860, 
when it was removed to the City Hall, where 
it remained until it was removed to the beau- 
tiful new federal building on South Broad 
street. The following postmasters have served 
the people of Lancaster since 1799: Samuel 
Coates, Sr., Samuel Coates, Jr., Jacob D. Dit- 
rich, E. Scofield, H. Drumm, Thomas N. 





> 

2 










I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 109 

White, Daniel Sifford, Henry Miers, James District, Gen. Grosvenor quickly got the mat- 

Cranmer, John C. Castle, Benjamin Connell, ter in hand and one of the best systems of 

J. L. Tuthill, C. M. L. Wiseman, John M. county service in the state was established 

Sutphen, Charles H. Williams, Jonas M. under the management of rural agent, Charles 

Shallenbarger, Charles B. Martin, William E. Swayne, with 41 carriers, covering 1,025 

Newman, James T. Pickering and H. C. miles of territory. The splendid rural sys- 

Drinkle, appointed April 25, 1910. tem from the Lancaster postoffice consists of 

12 carriers covering 320 miles of territory 
RURAL ROUTES FROM LANCASTER jaily, cxccpt Suudays and legal holidays, and 
During Postmaster Pickering's first term serving about 8,000 country people, who now 
(about 1898) he took hold of the rural de- claim Lancaster as their postoffice. The sal- 
livery work with a vigorous hand and was ary of the rural carriers at the Lancaster office 
one of the first postmasters in Ohio to start is about $11,000 annually, 
the service. The first route was established 

, ^, ... , POSTOFFICE REPORT FOR lOI I 

through Pleasant township and was started 

Oct. 2, 1899, with Royal Wolfe, a carrier, Gross receipts for 191 1 $ 29,246.00 

and it was called the Royal Rural Route from Amount 

Lancaster, Ohio. On the same day that Money orders issued .15.431 $103,681.30 

Route No. I was established, Postmaster Money orders issued, 

Pickering went with special agent W. B. foreign 125 i, 937-38 

Gaitree to Amanda and met several of the Registered letters, 

most enterprising men of the county, among Mailed 4>042 

them, Zeno Glick, Felix Snope, Jesse Allen, Registered letters. 

and Charles Sunderman, the postmaster, and Received 4-5 '6 

while there Mr. Gaitree instituted the second 

route in Fairfield County at Amanda. Within The new Federal Building was begun in 
two years, twenty-seven routes were estab- January, 19 10, and was occupied on May 30, 
lished in Fairfield County and thereupon 191 1- The total cost of building and grounds 
Postmaster Pickering filed an application with was $78,500— $75,000 paid by the Govern- 
the postoffice department through Congress- ment and $3,500 paid by private subscription, 
man Emmitt Tompkins, for the establishment Furniture and fixtures $6,700 in addition to 
of complete county service in Fairfield County, above. The Lancaster postoffice is second 
this being the first application for complete class. Salary of Postmaster $2,700. We 
county service filed in Ohio. Owing to a con- have twelve rural carrier routes out of Lan- 
templated change of Fairfield County from the caster— the largest number perhaps of any 
Twelfth to the Eleventh Congressional Dis- second class office in Ohio. The following is 
trict, Mr. Tompkins lost sight of the matter, the list of employees— not counting rural car- 
and a few other counties whose claims were riers : Miss Gretchen Silbaugh, assistant post- 
more vigorously pushed by their congress- master; Miss Frances H. Smith, money order 
men, came into complete county service be- and register clerk; Miss Florence McCutcheon, 
fore Fairfield. But after Fairfield County general delivery and stamp clerk; Michael Ef- 
was settled into the Eleventh Congressional finger, chief mailing clerk; Byron L. Cave, 



110 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



mailing clerk; Thomas W. Denton, chief 
distributing clerk; Frank J. Dilger, distribut- 
ing Clerk; W. F. Hood, mail messenger. 

H. C. Drinkle, P. M. 

COMMERCIAL LANCASTER 

"In commercialism Lancaster has made 
great progress in the last twenty years, as is 
shown by the large increase in the number of 
the employees of the different transportation 
companies entering this city. The two steam 
railroads, the Hocking Valley and the Penn- 
sylvania lines, have doubled their forces in 
the last few years, while the addition of the 
Scioto Valley Traction Company, operating 
between here and Columbus gives cheap and 
quick facilities from Lancaster to the Capital 
City. 

This city prides itself upon having the best 
equipped and up-to-date stores of any city in 
Southern Ohio, with the same population. 
Only a few years ago the travel of buyers 
from here to Columbus was enormous, but 
our business men are wide awake and instead, 
Lancaster is the trading point for many miles 
around, the electric line making this possible, 
and also better service on the steam lines. 

We have four banks — The Hocking Valley 
National, The Fairfield National, The Lan- 
caster National and Farmers and Citizens, all 
as sound as old Mt. Pleasant. 

Lancaster's fame as a merchant tailoring 
center is known all over the South and West, 
thousands of dollars worth of made-to-order 
clothing being shipped from here during the 
spring and fall months each season. W. H. 
Radebaugh & Son are the heavy shippers of 
clothing in the far Southern States, having a 
representative in that part of the country the 
year round. H. G. Trout, Harry Vorys, Ger- 
hard Miller & Co. are also large shippers of 
clothing to other states. 



This city has also several up-to-date ready- 
to-wear clothing establishments, which enjoy 
a large patronage, foremost being Joe Mat- 
tox, Al Wittekind, Highland & Fricker, Ger- 
hard Miller & Co., Peter Miller Sons, H. G. 
Trout and John Miller. All carry stocks that 
are equal to those of large city stores. 

The dry goods stores have made wonderful 
progress in the last ten years. C. W. Woodin 
& Co. have one of the finest rooms in the 
southern part of the State. Foremost in their 
line is their carpet department in which they 
are one of the largest wholesalers in the State. 
They make shipments to the largest cities in 
Ohio and many other States, this being a cen- 
tral point for a branch of the large carpet in- 
dustries. George M. Hickle and McFee & 
Miller also do a thriving business in the dry 
goods and ready-to-wear lines. 

The manufacturing interests have made 
wonderful advancement in this city in the last 
twenty years, when the Hocking Valley Manu- 
facturing Company and the Eagle Machine 
Company were the only plants of any conse- 
quence here. They have both enlarged their 
plants in recent years and now turn out large 
quantities of farm implements. 

Foremost along the manufacturing line are 
the shoe factories controlled by H. C. God- 
man of Columbus. The first shoe factory was 
established in this city during the gas boom 
back in 1889 — the Getz factory — which has 
grown largely and now occupies a two-story 
building on Forest Rose avenue. Three other 
plants belonging to the Godman interests — 
The Fairfield Shoe Company, The Ohio Shoe 
Company and The Lancaster Shoe Company 
— are immense concerns situated on North 
Columbus street. These factories are the 
mainstay of Lancaster's manufacturing in- 
terests, giving employment to twelve hundred 
people the year round, including men, women. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



111 



boys and girls. These factories when run- 
ning full time, which they do the greater part 
of the year, turn out twelve thousand pairs of 
shoes a day. Mr. John Schmidt is the efficient 
superintendent, while Mr. Charles Hutchison 
looks after the business affairs. 

The glass factories furnish employment for 
hundreds of our laboring people. We have 
two factories that turn out several car loads 
of table glassware per day and there are also 
two window glass plants. They are The Cole 
Glass Company, The Columbus Plate and Win- 
dow Glass Company, The Hocking Glass Com- 
pany and the Lancaster Glass Company, the 
former two being the window glass plants. An- 
other feature of the window glass business is 
that glass is now made at the Columbus Plate 
and Window Glass plant by machines, the 
first concern of this kind in Ohio making win- 
dow glass exclusively by machines. 

Other manufacturing interests in this city 
are the Carbon Works, Leather Board Works, 
Pennsylvania Railroad shops, Lancaster Lens 
Company and the Pyrometer Works, all of 
which give employment to a large number of 
men. 

The several Building and Loan Associa- 
tions that we have, have made it possible for 
Lancaster people to own their own homes in 
great numbers, and it is authentically stated 
that at least seventy-five per cent, of our peo- 
ple are possessed of a home that they can call 
their own. 

Lancaster has three hardware firms that 
have no superior in any city of her size. The 
Martens Hardware Company and The Frank 
Winter Hardware Company are the pioneers, 
with also J. H. Goldcamp & Company, who 
entered the field some years ago. They all 
enjoy a large patronage in this and adjoining 
counties. 

Business men of Lancaster who deserve 



mention in a history of this kind, not hereto- 
fore mentioned, who are always working for 
the best interests of their home town are E. H. 
Bininger & Sons, Chris Keller, Charles Tow- 
son, E. P. Schleicher, George Zink, C. F. Kirn, 
A. J. Kesinger, John Mayer, James Davidson, 
James McManamy, John Gardner, A. Bau- 
man, George Matt, H. R. Boving, Edward 
and Will Bletzacker, Sexauer Bros, and B. F. 
Antill." (W. D. Nothacker). 

THE BOARD OF TRADE 

The Board of Trade has assisted very 
largely in the growth and prosperity of Lan- 
caster. The object of the Board of Trade is 
to foster and encourage and develop the mer- 
cantile and manufacturing interests of Lan- 
caster and its suburbs; to inculcate just and 
equitable principles in trade; to establish and 
maintain uniformity in commercial usages; 
to collect, preserve and circulate useful infor- 
mation concerning the city, its trade, indus- 
tries and advantages; to study the workings 
of the great system of transportation, upon 
which our commercial and industrial prosper- 
ity so much depends, and to endeavor to rem- 
edy by all proper means the defects and abuses 
therein, so far as they injuriously affect our 
interests ; to obtain fair and equable rates of 
freight to and from Lancaster, and prevent, if 
possible, discriminations in favor of other cit- 
ies; to secure the abatement of unjust charges 
and insure prompt settlement of damages on 
goods shipped ; to encourage wise and needful 
legislation and oppose the enactment of laws 
which might injuriously affect our manufac- 
turing and commercial interests ; to forward 
the improvement of Lancaster by the erection 
of needful public buildings; and generally to 
strive with united effort to increase the wealth, 
industries, influence trade and population of 
the city of Lancaster and suburbs. 



112 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Their efforts along these lines have been 
uniformly successful, as is shown by the num- 
ber of new industries secured directly by their 
efforts. Four glass factories, four shoe fac- 
tories, a carbon works, a cement works, a new 
government building and many small indus- 
tries have been added to Lancaster because of 
the systematic efforts of this body. The or- 
ganization of this board was effected through 
the zealous efforts of Mr. Gust A. Kraemer, 
who canvassed the town and secured the co- 
operation of the leading business men. The 
first officers and board of directors were Gen. 
J. G. Reeves, president; B. F. Dum, vice presi- 
dent; James Griswold, secretary; F. C. 
Whiley, treasurer. \V. B. Maccracken, A. 
Bauman, Peter Miler, P. Rising, J. B. Orman, 
Gust A. Kraemer, S. J. Wright, Samuel 
Whiley, Theo. Mithoff, Sr., E. L. Slocom 
were the board of directors. 

MEMBERS OF PUBLIC BOARDS 

Officers of Board of Trade — Chris. Keller, 
president, and D. B. Tidd, secretary. There 
are about fifty members, among whom are the 
following: George Matt, E. H. Bininger, J. G. 
Reeves, H. B. Peters, J. A. Davidson, Frank 
Raitze, George Rising, C. H. Towson and 
others. 

All cities the size of Lancaster are under 
what is known as a Board of Control. This 
board is made up of three members. The 
Mayor who is the president and has the power 
to appoint two other members. C. H. Sexaur 
is the president, R. F. Brown director of serv- 
ice, Ira B. Bumgardner is director of safety. 

The members of the Board of Health are 
W. S. Eckert, C. L. Fultz, G. M. Bell, C. H. 
Towson and F. P. Welty, of which the Mayor 
is the president, W. S. Eckert, vice president, 
George Cunningham, secretary, and Dr. J. P. 
Hershberger, health officer. 



The Lancaster Water Works is owned by 
the city and comes under the management of 
the director of service. D. E. Hoffman, su- 
perintendent; George Cunningham, secretary. 

Lancaster owns her Natural Gas Plant 
which is managed by the director of service. 
C. M. Rowlee is superintendent; E. W. Moss- 
man, secretary, and Wenzel Helwig, assistant 
secretary. 

The Lancaster Electric Light Plant is 
owned by a company of which George Matt is 
the president and treasurer. Mr. Ed. Matt is 
secretary. 

THE COMMERCIAL CLUB 

This organization now takes the place of 
the Board of Trade and does the work usually 
done by that organization. The officers and 
executive committee are as follows: Dr. F. P. 
Barr, president; J. L. Denny, ist vice presi- 
dent ; C. H. Sexauer, 2d vice president ; J. H. 
Littrell, secretary; W. E. Joos, treasurer; J. 
H. Goldcamp, E. R. Bletzacker, J. T. Ober- 
derfer, O. L. Ballinger, J. H. Tobias and B. 
F. Antill. The above named eleven compose 
the executive committee that performs the 
same duties that would devolve on a board of 
directors. 

WATER WORKS 

The Water Works plant is owned by the 
City of Lancaster, and the system is under 
good supervision and well managed. It. is 
operated under the direction of Superintend- 
ent of Water Works, D. E. Hoffman, a com- 
petent official who has served in his present 
capacity since 1903. The water works come 
under the management of the director of serv- 
ice, who is R. F. Brinn. The secretary of the 
Water Works is George Cunningham. 
. The original installation was made in 1878; 
the cost to date is $136,976.58. The cost of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



113 



operation in 1909 was $5,880.25; receipts 
$16,128.90, of which $6,000 was for the sale 
of the West Side Pump House. 

In 1878 a pumping station was erected on 
West Chestnut street near the Hocking Canal 
and a stand-pipe constructed at the corner of 
East Chestnut and High streets. Water was 
used for fire purposes only, being drawn from 
the canal. This water supply was abandoned 
in 1882 when the present pump-house on West 
Wheeling street was erected and a spring at 
the station was enlarged to make a well fed by 
a tributary infiltration gallery, which was ex- 
tended north to West Fifth avenue in 1894. 
In 1898 the present reservoir, a 2,500,000 
gallon storage basin, size 100 feet by 210 feet 
with a maximum depth of 19 feet located on 
Walter's Hill one and one-third miles north- 
east of the pump-house and congested district, 
was constructed, and at this time the stand- 
pipe was abandoned. The city owns a tract 
of three acres on this hill, which is about as 
high as Mount Pleasant and here is the reser- 
voir and a keeper's dwelling. The basin is 
very substantial, being of heavy masonry and 
concrete in sand rock excavation. A four- 
foot-nine fence, to keep out small animals, 
surrounds it. The reservoir is connected to 
the distributing system by a 16-inch water- 
pipe on Xorth High street. The reservoir is 
connected with the system at all times, e-xcept 
when being cleansed, which is done once in 
four years ; it was cleaned in 1909. The res- 
ervoir has no overflow pipe, the keeper being 
paid to care for it and to notify the engineer 
at the pumping-station when it is full. 

Water from the infiltration gallery was 
used for both fire and domestic purposes until 
1903, when for sanitary reasons fourteen si.x- 
inch wells were drilled in a tract of land north- 
west of the western corporation line and a 
pumping-station built near the site of these 



wells. The new supply being inadequate 
water from the infiltration gallery was also 
used both pumping stations being used. In 
1906, appreciating the need of an adequate 
supply of pure water, a systematic search was 
instituted and after numerous test wells had 
been drilled at different points in and about 
the city, it was determined to sink wells in the 
city's property near the Wheeling Street sta- 
tion. This was done and the present supply 
opened up in 1907. After having been proved 
adequate, other sources of supply were aban- 
doned and the West Side Station dismantled 
and sold in 1909. 

There are six eight-inch wells drilled to a 
depth of 90 feet located in an acre of ground 
owned by the city at the corner of West 
Wheeling and Front streets, the latter being 
on the filled-in bed of the old Hocking Canal. 
The Harris Air Lift System is used, with an 
Ingersoll-Rand duplex air compresser with a 
capacity to lift 2,000,000 gallons a day. The 
combined capacity of the wells is 3,000,000 
gallons daily and it is considered adequate for 
all present and future demands. There are 
159 public fire hydrants. The system as a 
whole is considered much above that ordi- 
narily found in the smaller cities. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT 

The Fire Department is full paid and under 
the control of the chief, subject to the general 
supervision of the Director of Public Safety 
and the Board of Control. The first organiza- 
tion was a volunteer organization, which was 
formed about 1853; it was changed to a paid 
department in 1899. Charles A. Landefelt, 
the chief, has been identified with the depart- 
ment since 1896 and has been Chief since 
1900. He is assisted by six men. The ex- 
pense of the department and the maintaining 
of the fire alarm system was in 1909, 



114 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



$7,471.26. The greatest need of the Fire De- 
partment is more stations, more men and more 
apparatus, for the entire department is inade- 
quate for a large conflagration. 

THE FAMOUS LANCASTER BAR 

The old Bar of Lancaster had no equal west 
of the Allegheny Mountains. In fact there 
was not to be found in all the courts of this 
country a Bar of equal numbers that could 
stand in comparison with that of Lancaster. 
These nine great names fall naturally into 
two great divisions, or groups, according to 
the time in which they were prominent. 

First Group 

Gen. Philomen Beecher, born at Litchfield, 
Connecticut; came to Lancaster in 1801; died 

1839- 
Judge William W. Irvin, born in Virginia; 

came to Lancaster 1801 ; died 1842. 

Judge Charles R. Sherman, born in 1788 at 

Norwalk, Connecticut; came to Lancaster in 

181 1 ; admitted to bar 1810; died 1829. 

Second Group 

Thomas Ewing, born 1789, near West Lib- 
erty, Ohio County, Virginia; came to Lan- 
caster from Athens County, Ohio, in 1815; 
admitted to the bar in 181 6; died in 1871. 

Henry Stanbery, born in 1803 in New York 
City; came to Lancaster from Zanesville in 
1824; admitted to the bar in 1824; moved 
to Cincinnati in 1851; died in 1881. 

John Trafford Brasee, born in 1800 at 
Hillsdale, New York; admitted to the Bar at 
Gallipolis, 1826; came to Lancaster from Gal- 
lipolis in 1833; died in 1880. 

Hocking H. Hunter, born in 180 1 in Lan- 
caster, being the first white man born in the 
county; admitted to the Bar in 1824; died in 
1872. 



John Scofield Brasee, born August 19, 1832, 
at Gallipolis, Ohio ; came to Lancaster in 
1833 ; admitted to the Bar in September, 1854; 
died February 23, 1905. 

Charles D. Martin, born August 5, 1829, at 
Mount Vernon, Ohio ; came to Lancaster, 
1850; admitted to the Bar in 1850; died in 
191 1. 

(See Chapter 11, Bench & Bar.) 

AN HISTORIC STRUCTURE 

(Taken from the Lancaster Gazette, 
March 23, 1905.) 

The old law office of Judge Brasee was the 
first brick structure erected in Lancaster. It 
was built by Judge Elnathan Scofield and has 
been occupied by five generations of the Bra- 
see family. Attorney Charles D. Brasee is 
moving his law office from the building on 
Main street formerly occupied by his father, 
Judge John S. Brasee, to the Maccracken 
Block. The building that is being vacated has 
been occupied as a law office by four genera- 
tions of the Brasee family. It was erected by 
Judge Elnathan Scofield and was the first brick 
building in Lancaster. It was at first occu- 
pied by Judge Scofield as a dwelling, and his 
daughter, Mrs. John Trafford Brasee, was 
born there. Later he built on the corner of 
Main and Columbus streets and lived there for 
years. The small brick structure has been 
used for a law office by Judge Scofield, Judge 
John Trafford Brasee, Judge John Scofield 
Brasee, and by John T. Brasee and Charles D. 
Brasee. 

At one time the late T. W. Tallmadge was 
associated with Judge Trafford Brasee in busi- 
ness and occupied this office. The building 
has been occupied by the Brasee family con- 
tinuously since it was erected, except for a 
short time when Judge John S. Brasee had 
offices in the Hocking Valley Bank building. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



115 



During this time the building was used as a 
gunshop by Herman Peter, who shot and 
killed Philip Betz directly in front of the 
building. Peter is serving a life sentence in 
the penitentiary for the crime. The building 
is now owned by Rev. Smith, who purchased 
the property from Mrs. James Stanberry, a 
daughter of Judge Scofield. 

"pictures on memory's walls " 

"Lancaster's 'Hall of Fame' bears on its 
portals many honored names. Gen. Beecher 
was in Congress for a decade. W. W. Irwin 
also served his state in a similar capacity, and 
later was judge of the Supreme Court. 
Charles R. Sherman was elected to the Su- 
preme Bench in 1823. Willia m Medill was 
repeatedly honored by his friends aliH neigh- 
bors at Lancaster, not only being a Member of 
Congress, but as Governor of Ohio, and 
Comptroller of the U. S. Treasury. 

"Dr. T. O. Edwards served in Congress 
from this district, also C. D. Martin, who 
later went to the Supreme Bench. H. H. 
Hunter declined the honor of Judge of the 
Supreme Court, even after he had been elected 
to that position. Charles T. Sherman served 
as U. S. District Judge for Northern Ohio; 
Ed. F. Hunter, Common Pleas Judge of the 
State of Washington, and John Hunter was 
Chief Justice of Utah Territory. Robert F. 
Slaughter served in the Legislature of Ohio 
in an early day and was afterwards Common 
Pleas Judge. The Ewings and the Shermans, 
of world wide reputation, claim Lancaster as 
their home. Thomas Ewing, Sr., was twice 
a United States Senator, besides holding cabi- 
net portfolios, first secretary of the Treasury 
under President Harrison and again Secre- 
tary of the Interior under President Taylor. 
Gen. Thos. Ewing, Jr., was a most eminent 
lawyer of New York and one of the founders 
of the Ohio Society of New York. 



"Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was a 
Lancaster boy, and old residents recall with 
what fervor his townsmen applauded his 
"March to the Sea" and his countless other 
deeds of daring during the Civil War. To 
the nation he was the conquering hero, the 
Great General; to Lancaster he was all this 
and more, for he was 'born there.' 

"John Sherman served his country in al- 
most every capacity. For a long series of 
years he was Senator from Ohio and reflected 
honor on the State, and on his loved Lancaster 
as well, for he never forgot the friends of his 
youth. He was twice in the cabinet, was Sec- 
retary of the Treasury under President Hayes 
and again Secretary of State under President 
McKinley. 

"The United States Government called for 
another of Lancaster's sons when John W. 
Noble was asked into President Harrison's 
cabinet as Secretary of the Interior; and 
Henry Stanberry, as Attorney General of 
Ohio, and later filling the same position for 
the United States when Johnson was Presi- 
dent, reflected credit on himself and his office 
by reason of his distinguished services. 

"Colonel Moore was chosen Governor 
of Washington Territory. Gen. Hugh 
Ewing was sent by the United States Gov- 
ernment to represent this country at the 
Hague. 

"Henry J. Reinmund was Insurance 
Commissioner of Ohio under Gov. Hoad- 
ley, C. C. Miller was State School Commis- 
sioner when President McKinley was Gov- 
ernor of Ohio. Governor Nash appointed 
A. I. Vorys Insurance Commissioner as 
Governor Bushnell had previously hon- 
ored George Ewing with a seat on the 
Board of Pardons. 

"The lamented State Librarian, John C. 
Tuthill, who died when in ofiice, was a 
Lancaster boy. 



116 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



"Richard Outcalt, the "Yellow Kid" car- 
toonist of New York, was born at Lancas- 
ter and his memories of old times and the 
quaint elders of his boyhood are more than 
hinted at in some of his best work. 

"Judge Sherman's daughter married 
Gov. Thomas W. Hartley, his granddaugh- 
ter became the wife of Senator Don Cam- 
eron of Pennsylvania, and still another 
granddaughter is Mrs. General Nelson A. 
Miles, U. S. A. ; another married Judge 
Samuel Reber of St. Louis, while a fifth is 
Mrs. Judge Granger of Zanesville. 

"Others of whom Lancaster is justly 
proud are John C. Kinkead, governor of 
Idaho ; Charles F. Rainey, Land Commis- 
sioner of California ; A. R. Keller, Indian 
Agent under President Hayes at Helena, 
Mont. ; Hon. Thomas Ewing, Jr., Governor 
of Kansas in the days of reconstruction ; 
Lieut. George Hunter in the Philippines; 
Capt. Albert D. King, of the Third Cav- 
alry; Capt. L. H. Palmer, of Company I, 
Fourteenth Regiment, O. V. I., U. S. A., 
who distinguished himself at Porto Rico; 
Thomas King of the U. S. Treasury De- 
partment; and Theodore Tallmadge, Pen- 
sion Agent at Washington, D. C. 

"Lancaster and Fairfield County have 
sent out not a few missionaries and minis- 
ters of the Gospel in almost every denomi- 
nation. Bishops Merril, Foster and Mor- 
ris of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
Bishop Young of the Catholic Church were 
once residents of Lancaster. Rev. Abra- 
ham Reck established the First English 
Lutheran Church sixty years ago. Jacob 
Reinmund, Samuel H. Giesy, Martin Wil- 
helm, George and William Smith, W. W. 
Trout, Andrew F. Berry, J. M. Work, of 
Cincinnati ; William Harrison, missionary' 
to Liberia; Miss Mary Shockley, who was 



at Tien Tsien, China, during the Boxer up- 
rising; Judson H. Lamb, Jacob H. Hensel, 
Geo. W. Miesse, Frank J. Reinhold, 
Andrew Swartz, Eli B. Shumaker, John M. 
Turner, Emmanuel Turner, Frank W. 
Bope. Charles H. Boving and William 
Spybey." 

LANCASTER 

(Published by Board of Trade.) 

In addition to the above there should be 
mentioned H. J. Booth, the distinguished 
attorney of the city of Columbus ; T. C. 
O'Kane, the sweet song writer; Prof. J. A. 
Bownocker, Prof, of Geology O. S. U. and 
State Geologist; Prof. Earl Hyde, the dis- 
tinguished young geologist; Prof. Keller- 
man, the noted botanist; Prof. Miller, grad- 
uated from Yale in 1910 with Ph. D., now 
engaged as a professor in the State Agri- 
cultural College, Manhattan, Kansas. 

James J. Jeffries one-time champion of the 
athletic ring, was born near Carroll, Ohio. 

REMARKS OF JOHN TRAFFORD BRASEE^ SR., 
UPON THE OCCASION OF THE MEMORIAL EX- 
ERCISES HELD BY THE LANCASTER BAR; 
CLOSELY FOLLOWING UPON THE DEATH OF 
THEIR ASSOCIATE, THE LATE HOCKING H. 
HUNTER (march 4, 1872.) 

HOCKING H. HUNTER 

"May it Please Your Honor : 

"I was long acquainted with Mr. Hunter. 
Our acquaintance commenced in the early part 
of the year 1824, prior to his admission to 
the bar, and was continued to his death. From 
1833 to i860 inclusive we practiced mostly 
in the same courts and were frequently en- 
gaged in the same cases. I may therefore with 
propriety say that I not only knew him long, 
but I knew him well. 

"Mr. Hunter's advent to the bar was at- 
tended by circumstances calculated to retard 
his early advancement in the profession. His 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



117 



education was unfinished; his means were 
limited ; he then or soon after had a family 
dependent upon him for support. But these 
were not all; there was no opening for him 
or any other young man at this bar, it was al- 
ready full, if not crowded. It was filled with 
men of great ability and experience. First 
among them in age was Philemon Beecher, 
one of Nature's great men — a man who pos- 
sessed a round philosophical knowledge of the 
law. Next was William W. Irwin, a good 
lawyer, a man of pleasing and courteous man- 
ners, who had been upon the bench of the 
Supreme Court, and who had a widespread 
reputation. Next was Charles R. Sherman, 
a man of great legal learning and fine ability, 
and who as an advocate had no superior west 
of the Allegheny mountains. Last was 
Thomas Ewing, a man of profound compre- 
hensive intellect, of varied and great energy 
of character, who, although the junior of the 
others named, if not their superior, was at 
least the peer of the ablest of them. These 
four distinguished men had the good will 
of the important legal business of this and 
surrounding counties, and it was obvious that 
they would possess and enjoy it as long as 
they desired to do so. 

"This remained the condition of things, 
with varying circumstances from time to 
time, until 1832. Then there was not only 
a change, but a revolution in the Lancaster 
bar. General Beecher, by reason of bodily 
infirmity, had placed himself upon the re- 
tired list. Judge Irwin had served a term in 
Congress, lost his practice thereby and was 
never able to regain it. Judge Sherman went 
upon the bench of the Supreme Court and 
died in that service. Mr. Ewing went to the 
Senate of the United States, which was in 
efifect a withdrawal from domestic business 
on his part. 

"Then there was an opening for Hunter, 
for which he had been preparing and waiting 
for eight years. He was well prepared to 
fill that opening and in his turn he soon be- 
came master of the situation. 

"From 1832 forward he was never want- 
ing in clients; he was crowded and weighted 



down with business in disposing of which he 
labored and toiled as few men have the phys- 
ical ability to do. 

"I have said that at this time Mr. Hunter 
was well prepared to assume the onerous du- 
ties of the profession and to conduct busi- 
ness with credit to himself and advantage to 
his clients. How and by what means he be- 
came so under the circumstances surround- 
ing him, forms the most interesting and in- 
structive part of his professional life. 

"He engaged extensively in the clerical 
labor of the profession — he drew deeds, mort- 
gages, wills and codicils, agreements and con- 
tracts; prepared and settled the accounts of 
executors and administrators; attended to liti- 
gated causes before justices of the peace and 
to the taking of depositions for senior mem- 
bers of the bar in their pending cases. He 
also attended carefully to all business in the 
courts that was committed to his care. The 
sum total of his business was large, as much 
as any young man ought to have done, but it 
was laborious and poorly paid. 

"His student life was extended over this 
period of time; he revised his elementary 
studies and extended his legal reading through 
all the departments of the law. He was a 
constant attendant on the courts; while in 
session a careful observer of causes on trial 
and of the professional conflicts of those who 
tried them. This was the best law school 
that he could have attended; he here wit- 
nessed the practical application of the prin- 
ciples of the law to the rights of men and 
learned from great masters in the profession 
how causes great and small were lost and 
won. 

"It was during this time and by these means 
that Mr. Hunter became so well rooted and 
grounded in the law and upon the foundation 
thus laid he built. Without such a founda- 
tion or its equivalent no man need hope to 
attain to that eminence in the profession to 
which he attained. 

"Mr. Hunter's whole professional life, 
properly interpreted, speaks to his sorrow- 
ing brethren, who are aiding in the adminis- 
tration of justice, in this language: 'Re- 



118 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



member that no man is born a lawyer; that 
the law is an artificial and progressive science, 
and that he who would become and continue 
to be a lawyer in the proper acceptation of 
the term can effect his purpose only by labori- 
ous and continuous industry and study.' 

"And now here in this court, where our 
departed brother began and ended his pro- 
fessional life, and while his voice is still 
lingering in our ears, we again ask that the 
proceedings read be entered upon the endur- 
ing records of the court, in order that his 
name and memory be thereby the better per- 
petuated." 

Hocking H. Hunter departed this life at 
his home in Lancaster on the 4th day of 
February, 1872, in the 71st year of his age. 
He was born near this city in 1801, was 
educated here and lived here during his 
whole life. 

Mr. Hunter read law with the late Wil- 
liam W. Irwin and was admitted to the bar 
in 1824. From that time to his death he 
devoted himself to the practice of his pro- 
fession of nearly half a century, when he 
died in the midst of his labors and briefs. 

"Mr. Hunter's mind was eminently judi- 
cial, strong, discriminating and energetic. 
He was devoted to labor and very careful 
in the preparation of his cases. His argu- 
ments, whether upon questions of law or 
tact, were clear, strong, direct and ex- 
haustive. He sought to gain his causes 
upon their substantial merits and practiced 
no art to delude court or jury. There was 
nothing precocious pertaining to his mind ; 
it developed and expanded during the most 
of his professional life ; so that as he 
emerged from each successive conflict he 
appeared stronger and better prepared for 
the next. 

"During the last half of his professional 
life, he was in the front rank of the bar, not 



.only in the state courts, h\it in those of the 
United States, where he labored among his 
peers for the highest honors and emolu- 
ment of his profession — and he did not 
labor in vain." He was a man of the 
people, easy of access, plain in his mode of 
life, of fine mind and unsullied integrity. 

Lancaster's distinguished visitors 

"Perhaps Lancaster has been more 
highly honored than any city in the state, 
save Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, 
by the visits of distinguished men of na- 
tional and world wide reputation. 

The Duke of Saxe Weimar visited here 
in 1825 and carved his name upon the 
rocks of historic Mt. Pleasant, the "Stand- 
ing Stone of the Aborgines." Gov. De 
Witt Clinton, whose name will always be 
remembered in history as the father of the 
canal system of the United States, visited 
Lancaster in 1825, and was the guest of 
Judge Sherman, then one of the foremost 
men of the state of Ohio. Daniel Webster 
spent two weeks in Lancaster in 1833, the 
guest of Thomas Ewing, then Senator 
from Ohio. While here, with Mr. Ewing, 
he called upon Colonel Worthington, liv- 
ing three miles south of town, and upon 
Nathaniel Wilson, living three miles west 
of town at the Historic Locust Grove. 
During this visit, Mr. Webster and Mr. 
Ewing drove to Chillicothe. On the way 
they entered a considerable forest, and 
found their way blocked by a fallen tree. 
Mr. Ewing procured an axe with the use 
of which he was familiar, and soon cut off 
a log of the proper length, and he and 
Webster rolled it off the road. Dr. Wad- 
dell, late of Chillicothe, is the authority for 
this incident. Mr. Ewing always had a 
warm spot in his heart for Chillicothe, and 



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>ui ,i:ld county girl 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



121 



when the great fire of 1852 devastated that 
city, he made a very handsome contribu- 
tion for the rehef of the sufiferers. 

Henry Clay was entertained by the citi- 
zens of Lancaster with an elaborate dinner 
in the year 1825. Frederick A. Shafifer 
was always proud of the fact that he once 
conveyed Henry Clay in his carriage to 
Wheeling, W. Va. 

General Jackson was more than once a 
guest at Lancaster hotels. Gen. William 
H. Harrison was the guest of Lancaster 
in 1836 and again in 1840. In 1836 he was 
entertained at the country home of David 
Rokohl on the Columbus road. 

James G. Blaine spent the summer of 
1840 as the guest of Thomas Ewing's fam- 
ily in Lancaster, and was here on two or 
three occasions during his public career, 
the guest of Judge P. B. Ewing. His last 
memorable visit was made when a can- 
didate for the presidency. 

Thomas Corwin, Governor Metcalf, 
General Leslie Coombs, and Cassius M. 
Clay have been guests of Lancaster. Later 
President Garfield, General Sheridan, Co- 
lumbus Delano, Governor McKinley and 
W. J. Bryan have honored Lancaster with 
their presence." 

Wiseman's Centennial History of Lan- 
caster, 1898. , • 

LANCASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 

"Of the making of books there is no end." 
The world cannot get on without good books. 
They are the silent instructors of the race, 
and the good book, as well as its author, en- 
dures through the ages. Long ago, old Rich- 
ard De Bury said in his "Book about Books," 
"Towers crumble to earth ; but he whose book 
lives can never die." 

"The records show that as early as 1834, 



a good library was in existence at Lancaster 
and with such a board of directors as Thomas 
Ewing, William J. Reese, Robert McNeill, 
John T. Brasee, Hocking H. Hunter, M. Z. 
Krieder, George Reber, P. Van Trump, Henry 
Stanberry, \Villiam Medill and Samuel F. 
MacCracken, the only wonder is that so meri- 
torious an undertaking was ever allowed to 
lapse. But it did. Just when and how we do 
not know, but for a considerable period and 
up to the year 1878, little other besides recog- 
nizing the need, had been done toward secur- 
ing the funds for the re-establishment of a 
library in Lancaster. In Jutie, 1878, Mr. Kin- 
nis Fritter called a citizens' meeting at the 
City Hall, and after full discussion a commit- 
tee was appointed to solicit books and money. 

Later this committee appeared before the 
City Council reporting subscriptions of $2,- 
000, whereupon the City Fathers arose to the 
occasion, ordered a tax levy for the support 
of a free library for Lancaster and appointed 
a board of trustees to serve for two years. 
This first board consisted of Dr. Elmer Jack- 
son, Hon. Silas Wright, Prof. E. B. Andrews, 
Kinnis Fritter with ex-of!icio members Mayor 
John McCormick, president of City Council; 
F. C. Whiley, president of the School Board 
and John Gravett, all of whom evinced great 
interest in the matter, and soon the library 
was in a most flourishing condition, and from 
the date of its formal opening in September, 
1878, was much appreciated by the citizens at 
large. In June, 1878, Miss Lavina Busby was 
appointed librarian and in 1898 Miss Ella 
Hite was made assistant librarian and both 
are ably filling those positions (1912). 

The library has very comfortable quarters 
on the second floor of the City Hall. The 
present trustees are H. G. Trout, president; 
James A. Tobin, secretary; James T. Picker- 
ing, John Graham, Dr. George O. Beery and 



122 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Judge J. G. Reeves. The annual report which this report will show more clearly than words 

follows gives an estimate of the value of this the conditions of the various departments, 

library to Lancaster. Number of volumes now in the library. 

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LANCASTER PUBLIC HlStOry 87O 

LIBRARY, YEAR ENDING DEC. 3I, I9II Poctry 256 

Biography 270 

To the honorable Board of Library Trustees. Humor 88 

Gentlemen, ^^^^^-^ .........".'...'.'.." 39 

The thirteenth Annual Report of the Li- ^^^ ^^ 

brarians of the Public Library, together with Rdio-ion 281; 

statistical tables, is herewith respectfully sub- poUt'lcal and' Social' "sci- 

™"ed. g„^,g jg^ 

The library is in excellent shape and classi- ^^.^^^^ ^^^ Education . . 472 

ned accordmg to the most approved plan of t r ] 

the A. L. A. Association. The shelves are „ , t ■/ \ 

, „ , , , , , 1- r General Literature 595 

over full, but we hope to shortly have relief „ ^ r k 

when the proposed improvements are exe- BounrMaga^z^inL ' ^ ! ! ! ! ! 838 

cuted. In comparison with other institutions „ . j r-- i . r. 1 

'^,., , , ., Boys and Girls Books .. 2,01s 

of its class, our library stands equal with any „. . _ "^ 

and many of our books are beyond the average „. ^ . j r-'- /■ 

•' .... Historical Fiction 313 

of much larger libraries. d ir ^-^ ^ 

° , . Public Documents 1,071 

The circulation is still increasing and is 

much greater than that in many other libraries t- ^ , o 

"^ r , • • rj., . ■ , ■ Total 10,987 

in towns of this size. This is perhaps owing 

to the number of new books purchased during ^^^ Books 

the year. We registered quite a number of Purchased by Trustees . . 492 
new names and only 122 persons have moved Purchased by Lecture- 
away. Course Com 70 

The Reference Department is worked Purchased by Librarians. 41 

harder than any other part of the library, es- Bound Magazines 28 

pecially by clubs and the schools. We also Donated 42 

have numerous calls from debaters and school ' 

teachers from the county. ■'• °^^^ ^73 

The reading room is exceedingly well pat- Number of Books worn 

ronized, the number of readers is great, al- out 356 

though not so many in any one day. The Number of Names reg- 

magazines, newspapers and illustrated papers istered 434 

are read continually. People who wish a Number of Names with- 

quiet place to read do not find the stairs a drawn 122 

hindrance. Number of Persons now 

The tabulated statement which accompanies registered 5,785 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 128 

Number of books circu- true. Under Chapter IV the reader will 

lated 52,275 find the roster of County Officials from the 

Increase over last year . . 1,937 organization of each office — and below is 

Greatest number in one given a list of present-day Municipal Offi- 

day 390 cers of Lancaster, with fuil list of mayors 

Average circulation 172.5 of the city. 

Number of Magazines and The members of the Lancaster City 

Newspapers received.. 46 Council for 1912 are as follows : President, 

H. R. Roley; president pro tem, Jacob 

MUNICIPAL OFFICERS T .. i i t^ n .,.• , , %,. 

Lutz; clerk, D. B. fidd ; Charles Miller, 

The government of a city is a very im- R. F. Henry, Henry G. Miller, Max A. Mil- 

portant factor in the lives of the inhab- ler, Charles Motsch, Jacob Lutz and W. B. 

itants, and therefore, in the growth and Showalter. 

prosperity of the community. Municipal The present city officers are as follows: 
government has enlisted the attention of Mayor, C. H. Sexauer; auditor, W. D. 
the greatest minds of the Old as well as of Nothacker; solicitor, Van A. Snider; treas- 
the New World. Volumes have been writ- urer, Frank H. Beck; engineer, John 
ten upon the subject and yet there are N. Wolfe; public service, R. F. Brown; 
many unsolved ' problems. public safety, Ira Bumgardner; chief of 
The great cities of the world have police, Henry Wallace; chief of fire depart- 
always been the centers of culture, art, re- ment, Charles Landerfelt; park commis- 
finement and knowledge, as well as of vice sioners — M. A. Daugherty, Geo. P. Rising 
and corruption. To such an extent has this and C. F. Kirn; sinking fund trustees — A. 
been true that we have come to think of B. Kiefaber, C. P. Cole, H. K. Beck and 
Greece as Athens ; of France as Paris ; of Jacob DeMuth. 
Austria as Vienna ; of England as London ; 

J r xu TT -^ J c-^ i r-i • A MAYORS OF LANCASTER FROM l8^I-IQI2 

and of the United States as Chicago and '■ ^"J^ ^^^^ 

New York. Likewise when we think of 1831 — ^Joseph Grubb. 

Fairfield County we naturally think of 1832 — William Ingmond. 

Lancaster, her leading city and the county 1833 — George Sanderson. 

seat. The government of any city, or 1834 — William J. Reese. 

country, never rises above the average in- 1835 — George Sanderson. 

telligence of its people. Fairfield County 1836-37 — William J. Reese. 

and Lancaster have always had a high de- 1838 — George Sanderson. 

gree of intellectuality of good strong com- 1839 — ^John Creed. 

mon sense. Her officers, city and county, 1840-41 — William J. Reese. 

have been men of that type, and their work 1842-43 — George Ring. 

has kept pace with the increasing demands 1844 — George Sanderson. 

of the age. No county of the eighty-eight 1845 — Henry Miers. 

counties of Ohio has a better record of gov- 1846 — Daniel SifTord. 

ernment than Fairfield. Her officers have 1847-48 — George Sanderson. 

been faithful to the people — honest and 1849-50 — John D. Martin. 



124 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1851-54 — William P. Creed. 

1855-56 — S. A. Hedges. 

1857-58— A. McVeigh. 

1859-62 — Kinnis Fritter. 

1863-66— Samuel Ewing. 

1867-74— Tall Slough. 

1857-76 — P. C. Benadum. 

1877-78 — John D. McCormick. 

1879-80 — William Vorys. 

1881-84— S. W. Rainey. 

1885-86— H. C. Drinkle. 

1887-90 — H. Cannon (died in office). 

1890-92 — C. VV. Parido. 

1893-94 — H. W. Carpenter. 

1895 — A. M. Beery (died in office). 

1895— C. W. Parido. 

1896-98— J. F. Willock. 

1 899- 1 900 — George Cunningham. 

1901-02 — L. G. Silbaugh. 

1903-05 — S. W. Rainey. 

1906-07 — L. H. Pur sell. 

1908-1913 — C. H. Sexauer. 

LANC.'XSTER COUNTRY CLUB 

On the third of February, 1909, the Lan- 
caster Country Club was organized and in- 
corporated under the laws of Ohio. Fol- 
lowing its organization, the Country Club 
acquired a beautiful tract of sixty-one acres 
of rolling land, situated two- miles south of 
Lancaster along the line of the Lancaster 
Traction & Power Company, B. I. S. Divi- 
sion. 

A club house was built during the sum- 
mer of 1909 and the grounds put in shape 
for a golf course. Two excellent tennis 
courts occupy the part of the grounds im- 
mediately in front of the broad porch which 
extends the full length of the house. 

The interior of the club house is 
equipped with all the modern conveniences. 
A kitchen and dining room, cloak rooms, 



a living room and large dance hall occupy 
the main floor, while the locker rooms and 
shower baths are in the basement. 

The Country Club was organized for 
"social recreation, and the promotion of 
out-door games and amusements." 

The resident membership is limited to 
one hundred and is now complete. There 
are (in 1912) in addition to the resident 
members, thirty-three women members, 
six junior members and four out-of-town 
members. 

The Board of Governors for 19 12 com- 
prises McClellan Martens, president; Chris 
Keller, vice president; P. R. Peters, secre- 
tary; W. E. Thimmes, treasurer; C. S. 
Hutchinson, E. C. Rutter, A. S. Thomas, 
C. F. VonStein and Samuel Whiley. 

LANCASTER THE CITY BEAUTIFUL 

The location of Lancaster is ideal. 
Originally on the east bank of the Hock- 
hocking, she now spreads her area on both 
sides of that historic stream, covering more 
territory than was once the council town 
of the famous Tarhe and Wyandot braves. 
Part of the city rests in the fertile valley, 
and another part sits like a queen upon the 
hill-tops, reminding the student of ancient 
Rome. Still another part nestles at the 
foot of grand old Mount Pleasant, from 
the summit of which a most wonderful 
view of the city and valley can be gained. 
Within the very heart of the city, and ex- 
tending to the gates of the beautiful Forest 
Rose Cemetery, are the Fairfield County 
Fair Grounds — so widely known for their 
beauty and great crowds of people at "Fair 
Time." 

Around these grounds — now worth a 
hundred thousand dollars — cling the ro- 
mantic story of "Forest Rose" and "Cold 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



125 



Spring Rescue ;" of the valiant scouts and 
Indian fighters, Wetzel and Maywood, a 
story so full of interest, sympathy, action 
and power, that it was put into lasting form 
by the genius of Emerson Bennett. Lan- 
caster is well planned ; she has many miles 
of broad streets, lined with neat and com- 
fortable houses, and in some places 
adorned by stately old mansions, recently 
built and beautiful residences, schools, 
churches and public buildings. 

The spacious Public Square — the gift of 
Ebenezer Zane — now adorned by the im- 
posing City Hall Building, commands the 
attention and admiration of every visitor. 
The New High School Building, the stately 
edifices of St. Mary's Catholic Congrega- 
tion and the new and beautiful Protestant 
Churches of the City — all add to the fame 
of Lancaster, once the home of the great- 
est Bar west of the Alleghenies ; of great 
generals, orators and statesmen. And the 
Lancaster of today strives to maintain the 
glories of that former day. 

In 1831 Lancaster was incorporated with 
the following municipal officers, one mayor, 
one marshal, one recorder, one treasurer, 



and a board of trustees. The following 
interesting item from the "Ohio Eagle" of 
June, 1827, shows the finances for the vil- 
lage of Lancaster for two years from April 
20, 1825 to April 23, 1827. 

"Amount of income from all sources for 
two years, $888.14^/4; total disbursements for 
all purposes for two years, $932,883/2 ; show- 
mg a balance against the treasurer of 
$44.74% ; signed, Benjamin Connell, treas- 
urer; attested, Gottlieb Steinman, recorder." 

No records are to be found between 
1831 and 1851. In the year 1851, Lancas- 
ter was made a city of the third class. 
The last ten years Lancaster has had a 
most steady and healthy growth, as is at- 
tested by the United States census returns 
— not a guess at population but knowledge. 

The census of 1890, the returns were 7,555 
The census of 1900, the returns were 8,991 
The census of 1910, the returns were 13,093 

This growth includes people who, at- 
tracted by employment, have decided to 
make Lancaster their home, and they have 
bought property and are among the best 
citizens. 



CHAPTER VI 



TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS 



History of Each Toivnship — Schools — Teachers — Churches — Noted Incidents and Events- 
Local Industries — Historical and Descriptive Sketches of the Various Towns and Villages. 



AMANDA TOWNSHIP one of the first taverns in the township. It 

was located on the old Chillicothe road. 

Amanda Township lies in the southwest This tavern was sold to Isaac Griffith and 

part of Fairfield County. It is bounded on in 1858 it burned. 

the north by Bloom Township, on the east In 1800 Andrew Barr and five sons came 
by Hocking, on the south by Clear Creek, from Chester County, Penn., and settled 
and on the west by Pickaway County. The two miles west of Amanda. Their descend- 
land is rolling. Clear Creek traverses the ants still live in the township, 
township from north to south. Walnut Only one railroad crosses Amanda town- 
Creek and Turkey Run flow west and drain ship and that crosses the southeast corner 
the western part of the township. with the only station in Amanda. 

"Muddy Prairie," about one half mile by The first telephone company seeking a fran- 

three-fourths, in the southeast corner of chise was the Central Union Telephone Com- 

the township, was a tract of country, which, pany, they came here in 1883 and constructed 

in early days could be shaken perceptibly an exchange and operated from that time up 

for rods around by treading heavily on the to the present. 

ground. It was low and marshy and cov- The Lancaster Telephone Company obtained 

ered with peat. It has been drained and is a franchise in 1900 and installed a telephone 

very fertile soil. Another portion — about exchange and at first met with great encour- 

60 acres in the southwest corner of Section agement from the people of the town and lo- 

20, was called "Shaking Prairie." It also calities to which they built in the county, but 

has been drained by improved methods and the development of farm companies and free 

raises excellent crops. The soil of the county service retarded their growth and has 

township is rich, consisting of clay and a practically left their business in a condition 

rich black loam. which will limit their opportunities to exist. 

In the southern part of the township "I am unable to obtain any information as 

Frederick Leathers is considered the first to the time the Western Union telegraph com- 

settler. He settled near Amanda and kept pany installed their office at Lancaster; all I 

126 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



127 



know is that I learned the business with A. Y. 
Barks, who had taken the place of George 
Clark, a Lancaster boy, who had been pro- 
moted to a better office. This occurred in 
1868 when I was attending the grammar room 
taught then by Samuel Knabenshue, father of 
Roy Knabenshue, the noted aeronaut. In 
connection with this, it may be well enough to 
mention that no part of the country turned 
out more expert operators than did Lancaster; 
among the stars were Geo. Clark, Newt Fos- 
ter, John Flood, Albert Bowser, Jim Blair and 
Will (Buck) Scott, who is now copying the 
L^nited Press in Detroit." 

ROYALTON 

Royalton was the first village in the 
township and was laid out in 1810 by Lem- 
uel and Jedediah Allen. The Aliens named 
the place Royalton in honor of the county 
from which they came. It has never 
grown, as have some. of the villages in the 
county. 

Cedar Hill is a little village in the w^est- 
ern part of the township. 

AMANDA 

Amanda was named by William Hamil- 
ton, the first surveyor of Fairfield County. 
Its beginning dates back to about 1830, 
when Samuel Kester is recorded as a pro- 
prietor of the "Village of Amanda," which 
was nothing more than a couple of build- 
ings at the crossing of Main and Maple 
Streets, which marked its location as ten 
miles west of Lancaster. Its substantial 
growth began in the year 1850, when the 
Z. F. C. Railroad was completed, placing 
it upon a direct route of commerce between 
Zanesville and Cincinnati. In the first days 
of the Zanesville and Cincinnati Railroad it 
is said that 400,000 bushels of grain were 



annually shipped from .\manda. Being a 
level country, the grain within a radius of 
nine miles was all brought to this point. 

It is thought that it was about this time 
that the first schoolhouse was completed, upon 
the site of the present Adam Nye residence. 
It was crudely constructed of mortar and 
brick, with long interior benches for recita- 
tion and the study of the only text-book, the 
Testament. The present school building site 
was deeded for school purposes by Miss Anna 
Griffith. The present school building has been 
just completed at an approximate cost of $25,- 
000. It contains a seating capacity of 350 
pupils, in addition to one playroom and one 
spacious laboratory well equipped for physics, 
botany and agriculture, one splendid library 
room containing 500 volumes, and a superin- 
tendent's office. At present the teachers are 
all college trained. O. C. Minnich is the 
present superintendent. 

There are at present three churches and 
four parsonages in the village limits. The 
Methodists, organized in 1S34, held their first 
services in the present Lutheran Church. In 
1884 the present brick structure was erected 
and dedicated. The present pastor is Rev. 
J. H. Redmon. The Presbyterian Church was 
organized in 1838 by Rev. Dr. Hogue of Co- 
lumbus, O. Rev. William Jones was the first 
pastor, and services were first held in what is 
now the A. H. S. Gymnasium. In 1873 the 
present brick building was erected and dedi- 
cated. Rev. W. A. Sears is the present pastor. 

The Lutheran Church was organized in 
1884 by Rev. Fishburn. The church was re- 
built in 1892. Rev. Dittmar is the present pas- 
tor. Sunday school was inaugurated in 
Amanda in the year i860 by the Rev. Mr. 
Thorn. The United Brethren Church main- 
tain a parsonage in the village also. The 
charge lies outside the corporation limits. 



128 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Amanda's commercial and mercantile prog- 
ress has been of an enduring and substantial 
nature. There are at present seven general 
stores, two drug stores, two meat markets, 
one hardware, one large furniture store, one 
jew'elry store, one farm implement store, two 
grain elevators, one flouring-mill, one large 
canning factory, a glove factory, two harness 
shops, two hotels, and a new and modernly 
constructed bank, property valuation $15,000. 
The bank was organized in 1904 to meet the 
growing demands of the business interests of 
Amanda. Amanda is a splendid shipping 
point. The village has a total population of 
about five hundred. 

THE NOBLE F.\MILV 

John Sweyer was born in Wurtemberg, 
Germany, and coming to this country with his 
parents first settled in Hagerstown, Md., 
thence to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1812. He was 
married to Margaret McDill, of Scotch de- 
scent. He and his brother-in-law. Col. John 
Noble (father of John W. Noble, late Secre- 
tary of the Interior under Harrison) were 
among the first to keep what was known as the 
better class of hotels, John Sweyer being 
spoken of as the famous hotel man. He 
afterwards located on his farm south of 
Amanda and built a large hotel, well remem- 
bered for the entertainment of its guests, and 
this being the direct stage line from points 
west to Washington, D. C, many personages 
of early history — Henry Clay, Santa Anna and 
others — were entertained at the inn. John 
Sweyer was also the brother-in-law of Henry 
Duble, a pioneer of this county. Of the ten 
children of John Sweyer, only one survives, 
this being H. McDill Sweyer, now living in 
Circleville. at the advanced age of ninety-one 
years. 



The late Samuel Sweyer, son of John 
Sweyer, was born in Lancaster in 181 6, was 
married to Anna Catherine Lowrie, of Mifflin 
County, Pa., and located upon his farm west 
of Amanda, living there until the time of his 
death in 1898. His children are John C. 
Elizabeth M., Delia C, Charles R, Clara L. 
and Mary F. Clara L. died Sept. 18, 1906. 
John C. was married to Nora Barr. in 1908 
and lives on the home farm west of Amanda. 
There are two children by this union, namely : 
Anna Katherine and Richard B. 

The present township officers of Amanda 
are as follows : Geo. W. Blue, C. W. Griffith, 
Meinhard Palm, trustees; C. A. Barr, treas- 
urer; Bert Borchers, clerk. The members of 
the school board are F. S. Barr, Milton Wil- 
liamson, Clint. Reigher, Charles Rufif, G. O. 
Noecker. The churches are as follows (out- 
side of the village) : Israel's Church, Geo. F. 
Ditmer, pastor; Evangelical Church at Trinity 
and at Cedar Hill, Dubbs Division, C. W. 
Ruhlman; Evangelical, at Cedar Hill, Esher 
Division, E. F. Marchland; M. E. Church at 
Royalton, Amos Turner. 

BERNE TOWNSHIP 

Berne Township is bounded on the north 
by Pleasant Township, on the east by Rush 
Creek Township and by Hocking County, on 
the south by Hocking County, and on the 
west by Madison and Hocking townships. 
This township was christened Berne by Sam- 
uel Carpenter, one of its earliest settlers, in 
honor of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, 
the home of his ancestry. It is one of the 
largest townships of Fairfield County, com- 
prising all of Township 14, Range 18, except 
one and one-half sections from the northwest 
comer, which belongs to Lancaster township, 
and two tiers of sections, from i to 12, inclu- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



129 



sive, from Township 13, Range 18. Its en- 
tire territory embraces over forty-seven square 
miles. 

The township Hes in the southeastern part 
of the county. Hocking River enters from 
the northwest, and, passing through the en- 
tire length of the township, flows into Hock- 
ing County on the south. Its principal tribu- 
taries are Rush Creek and Pleasant Run. The 
surface is rough and hilly, except in the nar- 
row valleys which skirt the streams. Most of 
the soil is rather poor, being of a gravelly na- 
ture. 

The Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad 
and the Hocking Canal cross the township 
along the Hocking River valley. The Cincin- 
nati & Muskingum Valley Road passes east 
and west through the northern part of the 
township. 

The Carpenters are credited with being the 
earliest settlers in the township. The first 
land entered was that in the Hocking valley 
nearest Lancaster. Succeeding pioneers occu- 
pied the lands down the stream until they were 
all appropriated. Then the valleys of the trib- 
utaries were settled, and finally the hills. 

It was in 1798 that William, David, Samuel 
and John Carpenter, with their father, emi- 
grated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 
and settled in Sections 7 and 8, in the Hocking 
valley, just below Lancaster. Below them 
were the Shellenberger boys, Samuel and 
Henry. Their father, Henry, traveled here 
from Pennsylvania, and entered the land. He 
returned to his old home and left the boys in 
possession here, George Eckert, another Penn- 
sylvanian, being next and below them. Abra- 
ham Ream came also from Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1798, and entered Sections 
27, 28, 33, 34 and part of 35, on Rush Creek, 
becoming the most extensive resident land- 



holder in the township. Joseph Stukey en- 
tered still further down the river. 

Among the earliest settlers on Rush Creek 
were Peter Stinespring, Henry Inesell, Henry 
Swartz, from Pennsylvania, and Christian 
and John Beery, from Virginia. Most of the 
first settlers came from Pennsylvania, chiefly 
from Lancaster and Berks counties. Some 
few emigrated from Virginia. William Col- 
lins, the father of John A. Collins, an early 
squire' and prominent citizen, Daniel and 
Abraham Moyer, Felta Pratz, and others, set- 
tled in the northeast part of the township. 
Walter Applegate, from Virginia, also set- 
tled very early in the northeastern corner of 
the township. John Baldwin, a bachelor, who 
lived and died here, and Peter Sturgeon, from 
the same state ; John Bibler and Michael Han- 
sel, from Pennsylvania, and William Bryan, 
were early figures in the township's history. 

William Jackson, from Frederick County, 
Maryland, in 1805 came to the township. He 
found an empty cabin on Pleasant Run with 
twelve acres of cleared land surrounding it, 
and moved in it in December, remaining two 
years. He afterwards leased and purchased 
other lands in the township, and died here in 
1850. William Cook, from Henry County, 
Virginia, in 1805, settled about two miles 
southeast of Lancaster. He was probably the 
first justice of the township. He served in the 
war of 1 812 as major, was sheriff of the 
county and died in this township about 1855. 
His six brothers, and his father, Ephraim, 
preceded him here a short time, all living in 
the same neighborhood. Jacob Iric, from 
Maryland, and George See, settled in the 
township about 1805. John Pennebaker came 
in 1806 from Berks County, Pennsylvania. 
It is impossible to even mention the names of 
all the early settlers. During the first years of 



130 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the century they entered very rapidly, and in 
1806 there were 112 tax-payers in the town- 
ship. 

Sugar Grove is the only town of note. It 
is situated in the Southern part of the town- 
ship at junction of the Hocking River and 
Rush Creek. It received its name from a 
heavy growth of sugar timber which had occu- 
pied its site. An Indian encampment had 
formerly stood at this place, and a large bury- 
ing-ground close by. Numerous skeletons 
have been unearthed and many other evidences 
of savage occupation have been revealed. The 
village was laid out by Mrs. Elizabeth Ru- 
dolph. It was incorporated more than fifty 
years ago. Its population is nearly four hun- 
dred. 

The first house in Sugar Grove was built 
about 1835, by Samuel White. It was a log 
cabin long since removed. It stood on the lot 
opposite Dennis's hotel. The first store com- 
prised a small stock of goods, brought to the 
place by Christian Krebs, and Jefferson Meeks. 
It was located in the upper end of town where 
the tanyard now stands. 

SUGAR GROVE 

One of Ohio's interesting and prosperous 
villages is Sugar Grove, located in the south- 
eastern part of the county. This village is so 
situated that both nature and human enter- 
prise contribute their utmost to its beauty, sci- 
entific interest and prosperity. Located ex- 
actly in the glacial gap through which the 
romantic Hocking flows, the changing sea- 
sons present most beautiful and contrasted pic- 
tures. In summer the landscape is mostly 
made up of beautiful, dome-shaped hills of 
most regular contour; but when the frost has 
plucked away the green covering from the 
hills, majestic clififs of rock usurp the prospect, 
and in the presence of their stern beauty, the 



denuded trees that had so lately ridden them 
away seem to sink into the background, leav- 
ing scattered here and there the spruce and 
pine trees, like great green banners waving 
over a gigantic fortress. 

In former ages a glacial spur must have 
plowed its way through this gap, leaving its 
sides so abrupt that the rocks still stand bare 
to a perpendicular height of many feet above 
the talus that has formed over half way to 
their summit. On either side the smaller 
streams have eroded deep and abrupt glens, 
which, being newer, are surrounded by more 
lofty ledges than those along the main valley. 
One of these has been reserved as a national 
park under the name of Crystal Springs, to 
which hundreds of excursionists come every 
year, particularly in the summer. Just north- 
east of the village stands "The Round 
Knob," the most wonderful of the many nat- 
ural formations to be found in the vicinity. 
This is a hill of equal altitude with the 
others, but has been cut from the other 
elevations apparently in opposition to all 
the laws of nature. It was originally a 
spur extending from a chain of hills that 
followed the left bank of Rus Creek. This 
stream was forced to change its course by 
an ice dam and has cut a narrow channel 
through the heart of the hill and it now 
preversely leaves its older and wider val- 
ley and follows its narrow course through 
the hill. 

Aside from the business furnished by the 
agricultural interests immediately surround- 
ing the village, the chief industrial life is con- 
nected with the transportation of fuel. The 
immense quantities of coal handled by the 
Hocking Valley Railroad contributes moder- 
ately to the prosperity of the place, but it is 
situated in the centre of gas transportation for 
a great portion of the state. Just outside the 






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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



131 



village are the "Northwestern" and the Logan 
Natural Gas and Fuel Co.'s pumping stations; 
within a radius of three miles are three other 
such compression plants. These stations by 
the use of ponderous engines, place the gas 
under pressure ranging from 200 to 300 
pounds per square inch in order to transport 
it to the various cities supplied by them. This 
extensive industry is the outgrowth of the 
rich gas field which was here a few years ago. 
According to the statements of the oldest 
residents of the vicinity, the first settlement 
was made about 1792. About that time Daniel 
Stuckey took a claim of 1200 acres; on this 
allotment the village has been built. The vil- 
lage was incorporated by a special act of the 
legislature in 185 1, and was organized March 
25, 185 1, with William Fisher, mayor. The 
following is a list of the citizens who have 
officiated as mayor since that time: 1852, Dan- 
iel Rudolph; 1853, I. A. Ream; 1854-55, E. A. 
McFadden; 1856, D. R. Elder; 1857, A. J. 
Schrader; 1858-59 and 1S61-63, James Sharp; 
i860, J. E. Wonn; 1864-71 and 1875-76, E. 
R. Brown; 1872-73 and 1884, Eli Dennis; 
1885, W. W. Kraft; 1886-93, G. R. Wachter; 
1894-95, J. H. Sharp; 1896-97, S. D. Hansley; 
1898-99, S. Fulton; 1900, J. V. Sharp; 1902, 
1906-07, G. W. Johnston; 1903-04, E. V. 
Crampton ; 1908, L. S. Sharp; 1909, H. T. 
Holland; 1910-11, B. F. Snyder. 

CHURCHES 

Methodist Episcopal — Membership 88; pas- 
tor, Rev. T. T. Buell. Bethel Reformed- 
Membership 80; pastor. Rev. M. Loncks, D. 
D. Lutheran — Membership 200; pastor, Rev. 
Amos Kohler. Catholic — Membership — ; 
pastor. Father P. F. Rouane. 

FRATERNAL ORDERS 

Chickamauga Post, No. 583, G. A. R., was 
organized in 1889 with the following charter 



members: J. H. Arney, James Foster, S. W. 
Solinberger, James Solinberger, William H. 
Elder, William Hamilton, Peter Daubenmyer, 
W. M. Rudolph, E. P. Jackson, J. S. Matheny, 
Daniel Snider, G. F. Hummel, S. Renshaw, 
J. W. Ricketts, Sam Byerley. Of these, J. H. 
Arney, the two Solinbergers, W. H. Elder, 
Peter Daubenmyer and J. W. Ricketts are still 
living, though not all members of this post at 
present. 

The lodge of the Modern Brotherhood of 
America was organized July 3, 191 1, with a 
charter membership of sixteen. The present 
membership is eighteen. 

PHYSICIANS 

The village and vicinity are served by two 
efficient physicians. Dr. C. H. Hamilton and 
Dr. F. O. Hunt. 

Dr. C. H. Hamilton was born at Yellow 
Springs, Ohio, and was graduated from the 
high school there in 190 1. He attended An- 
tioch College for three years — 1901 to 1904, 
and was graduated from Starling (Ohio) 
Medical College in May, 1908. He served as 
interne at the Protestant Hospital at Colum- 
bus, O., from May, 1908 to May, 1909 and 
located at Sugar Grove, Ohio, May 4, 1909, 
where he has practiced his profession ever 
since. He was married July 29, 191 1, to Miss 
Claire Miller, of Sugar Grove, O.. 

Dr. F. O. Hunt was born in Sidney, la., in 
1869 and graduated from Northwestern Med- 
ical College in 1891. He afterwards prac- 
ticed medicine in Toledo, Ohio, and was dem- 
onstrator of anatomy in the Toledo Medical 
College from 1894 to 1896. Dr. Hunt was 
married in 1892 to Miss Mary Lehman. To 
this union have been born four sons and two 
daughters. Dr. Hunt came to Sugar Grove 
in October, 1910, and has been enjoying a very 
successful practice since that time. 



132 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



BANK OF SUGAR GROVE 

The Bank of Sugar Grove, with Mr. John 
R. Bowen as cashier, is a very prosperous in- 
stitution and adds much to the business con- 
venience of the village. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

The records of the school show that Miss 
Anna Seidner taught for fourteen years ; Miss 
Rebeckah Robinson taught the Primary De- 
partment six years. In the Grammar Depart- 
ment, Miss Mabel Mason taught two years 
and was succeeded by Garence Hughes, who 
served one year, and E. L. Fauble, the present 
incumbent, now teaching his second year. 

Mr. Charles T. Buell was the first principal 
of the High School, beginning in January, 
1910, and serving until the present year, when 
he was succeeded by the present principal, E. 
C. A\^ilker. 

The schools have an enrollment of 120, in- 
cluding the high school, which is a recognized 
high school of the second grade. The superin- 
tendents who have served the schools in the 
past are Bruce Rowe, William Walter, Mere- 
dith Kindler, Otis Garner, H. E. Kuhn and 
G. E. Wagner. 

The present corps of teachers (19 12) are: 
G. E. Wagner, superintendent of schools; E. 
C. Wilker, principal of high school; E. L. 
F'auble. grammar school; Rita Rossman, in- 
termediate school; Catherine Bumgardner, 
primary department. 

Berne postoffice is a station on the Cin- 
cinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad. 
It is situated in the northeast corner of the 
township and contains a store, two or three 
shops and about five or six houses. 

Cranfis Collegiate Institute, which is also 
called Berne Township High School, is sit- 
uated in Berne Township and is described 
in Chapter XIV. 



BLOOM TOWNSHIP 

Bloom township is in the western tier of 
townships. It is bounded on the north by 
Violet, on the east by Greenfield, on the 
south by Amanda and on the west by Pick- 
away County. It is laid out regularly six 
sections each direction. There are no large 
streams in this township, though the Hocking 
river rises near the center of the township. 
The Hocking Valley crosses this township 
across Section i, in the extreme northeastern 
part, there are four good pikes running in 
nearly every direction. The Scioto Valley 
Traction line and the Ohio Canal pass through 
sections one and two. 

The township was laid off in 1805; the 
early settlers were the Hushors, Meyers, 
Clicks. Clarks, Hoys, Courtrights, Scotts, 
Crites, Williamsons and others. Abraham 
Van Courtright came from Pennsylvania in 
1 80 1. He married Miss McFarland of Green- 
field Township and settled two miles south of 
Lockville near the Betzer Church. Jesse D. 
Courtright laid out Greencastle in 1810 and 
had it surveyed by John Hamilton. Samuel 
Weisser came from Pennsylvania in 1818 and 
kept a blacksmith shop for forty years. He 
was justice of the peace for. thirty-five years 
and an official member of the church fifty 
years. 

The Presbyterian Church was built in 1861. 
Names that are connected with this church are 
Abraham, John and Jacob Courtright, J. A. 
Whitzel, Samuel Weiner, H. R. Roller, L. C. 
Friebley. William Swayer. The present 
(1912) pastor is B. F. Munson who also 
serves the church at Lithopolis. 

The Rock Mill was built in 1799 and was 
the first of its kind in the township. The 
building was low down among the rocks and 
the grists were taken in at the gable window 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



133 



and let down to the hopper with ropes. The 
first still-house was at the Stump Spring and 
was owned by J. D. Courtright. The Als- 
paughs, Williamsons, Granels, Blenbaughs all 
have left large numbers of descendants in 
Bloom township. Among prominent farmers 
today we note the names of A. V. Courtright, 
Reuben Faler, W. R. Coffman, C. C. Crist, S. 
P. Mathias, ^^^illiam Sitterly, C. E. Berry, 
Austin Smith, J. C. Hummell, Ed. j\I. Heister, 
Albert Runkle, Peter Dotson, Frank Zwayer, 
Irwin Solt. 

LITHOPOLIS 

Lithopolis is the principal town in Bloom 
township. It has about 500 inhabitants. It 
was laid out in 181 5 by Frederick Baugher. 
It was first called Centerville, but in 1836 it 
was chartered and called Lithopolis. Elias 
Perry was the first mayor and Isaac Cade the 
first clerk. 

One of the early settlers was Dr. E. L. 
Miner. He first removed to Royalton in 1820 
and to Centerville (afterwar<ls Lithopolis) 
and there spent forty-five years of his pro- 
fessional life. 

Dr. Miner, with George Custer, Mr. Brown 
and a dozen others, founded the Presbyterian 
Church in 1834. Rev. Leonard was the first 
pastor, succeeded by Rev. S. M. Wilson. Rev. 
B. F. Munson is the present pastor. The 
Methodist and Lutheran churches were built 
about 1840. Rev. B. F. Jackson is pastor of 
the Methodist Church and Rev. C. A. Rhiel. 
pastor of the Lutheran Church. 

The old Betzer Church, two miles south of 
Lockville, has had an interesting history. It is 
one of the oldest churches in the township, is 
union in character, having been German Re- 
formed. Lutheran and Presbyterian. It was 
built of hewed log in 1809. The present build- 
ing was built in 1882. The Fellers Hill, upon 



which this church is built, commands one of 
the most picturescjue views to be seen in the 
county. From this point with the naked eye 
can be seen fields and streams, \alley, hill, and 
woodland until Newark and the hills of Gran- 
ville skirt the horizon twenty miles away. 
The country is gently undulating and very 
fertile. 

Lithopolis has the following business 
houses : E. E. Mason's general store. Weiser 
& Lisle, hardware ; William Kiser, grocery ; 
Geo. \\'. Coffman. grocery, Geo. W. Zang- 
meister, Charles Fiskhorn, G. W. Lehman and 
John Klamfath, blacksmith shop; Thaddeus 
Wade, barljcr shop; Joseph Benner. shoe 
shop, L. S. Bennett, drug and book store. 

Dr. Geo. M. Courtright, Dr. E. B. Roller 
and Dr. J. A. Kershner are physicians now 
at Lithopolis. The Masonic Lodge, chartered 
in 1848. has a flourishing lodge. There are 
also lodges of the Eastern Star and Modern 
Brotherhood of America. There are thir- 
teen school districts in the county and the fol- 
lowing are the teachers: Lithopolis High 
School, Jesse Kinner. superintendent; Mrs. 
Jesse Kinner, principal ; Grace M. Souders. in- 
termediate; Rose B. Dutton, primary. The 
district schools are taught by Dan Cohayen. 
A. J. Kiger. Carl P. Zangmeister, Vernon 
Cormany, Arlie Foos, J. E. Croff. Walter R. 
Peer, Maggie Laney, H. C. Smith. Bud Thush, 
Ralph Harris and Goldie Hickle. 

In Lithopolis there are four churches all 
supplied with pastors except the Nazarene ; 
outside of Lithopolis there are six churches — 
Presbyterian of Green Castle with Rev. B. 1". 
Munson. pastor; United Brethren, Salem, 
Rev. Wright, pastor; Reform Church, Rev. 
Heffley ; Bloom Chapel, Rew Rulman; Wes- 
ley Chapel on the Royalton circuit with Rev. 
Cunningham as pastor; and Betzer Church. 

The village officers of Lithopolis are : 



134 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Mayor, John Farrand ; clerk, William Wilder- 
muth; treasurer, E. S. Bennett; councilmen, 
Sanford Foor, G. W. Lehman, Geo. Zang- 
meister, A. E. Stephenson, C. E. Williams ; 
Board of Education, Peter Dotson, A. I. 
Crumley, Thurman Lisle, Thaddeus Wade 
and W. D. Cassidy. The township officers of 
Bloom township are : Trustees, Thomas Roller, 
W. R. Coffman, Isaac G. Hay; board of edu- 
cation — T. H. Courtright, president; M. M. 
Barnhart, Geo. W. Calvert, J. L. Moore, F. J. 
Boving; C. W. Wiser is township treasurer; 
and George R. Wiser, township clerk. J. E. 
Cross and Emerson Foor are justices of the 
peace and T. E. Markwood, constable. 

GREENCASTLE 

Greencastle is a small village laid out in 
1810 at the center of the township. Jefferson, 
in the northern part of the township, was 
laid out in 1812 and was on the military road 
from Wheeling to the lakes — and in an early 
day was a village of some importance. C. W. 
Wiser conducts a general store. 

LOCKVILLE 

Lockville was laid out in the extreme north- 
ern part of Bloom Township shortly after 
the building of the Ohio Canal. It was named 
from the number of locks at this place. It 
was of some importance when the canal was 
used as a thoroughfare but now is a collection 
of houses only. 

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 

Clear Creek Township constitutes the ex- 
treme southwest of Fairfield County. It is 
bounded on the north by Amanda Township, 
on the east by Madison and on the south and 
west by Pickaway County. Clear Creek for- 
merly embraced parts of Madison and 
Amanda Townships but they were organized 



as townships, leaving Clear Creek a township 
of 36 sections. The principal streams are 
Salt Creek, which enters the township at the 
northwest and flows southeasterly: Sippo 
Creek, which flows south through the western 
sections; Dunkle Run, which rises in Section 
5, flows east into Clear Creek, and which is a 
stream of some size which flows through the 
northeastern sections of the county, and from 
which the township is named. The surface of 
the township is undulating, growing hilly to 
the north ; the soil is fertile and the farms 
small and well cultivated. 

The history of Clear Creek Township be- 
gins with the settlement of Jacob Shumaker 
in 1797. George Stout came from Bucks 
County, Penn., and settled one mile north of 
Stoutsville in 1804. George Dellsaver, Adam 
Fossnaught, John Leist, Benjamin Stout, 
Charles Friend, Peter Wolf, John Mooney, 
and John Stepleton all came to Clear Creek 
Township before 1810. John Leist was a 
member of the Legislature eight years, and a 
commissioner to adjust damages from con- 
structing canals for 22 years. He was at De- 
troit and Ft. Meigs, served under Gen. Harri- 
son, and voted for ten presidents as a member 
of the Old Whig party. 

The settlers of Clear Creek Township did 
their trading at Zanesville and when they 
needed salt, nails and many other necessities 
they were compelled to drive there a distance 
of 50 miles — and a week's time was taken go- 
ing and coming. 

There are six churches in the township St. 
John's Evangelical, Rev. E. A. Torrey, pastor; 
Reformed, Rev. E. E. Zecheil, pastor; Luth- 
eran, Rev. Shoffer, pastor — all located at 
Stoutsville: Brethren at Sixteen, with Rev. 
Belshure, pastor; Methodist at Oakland, John 
H. Redmon, pastor, and Lutheran, at Dutch 
Hollow, with Rev. Ditamore as pastor. This 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



135 



last church was the first organized in the town- 
ship and Jacob Leist was the preacher. 

STOUTSVILLE 

Stoutsville is a village of about 300 popu- 
lation, situated west of the center of the 
township. It was laid out in 1854 by Ben- 
jamin Stout. 

The Fairfield-Pickaway News, of Stouts- 
ville, O., was founded by H. O. Hardin, Au- 
gust 25, 1888. It is an eight-page paper. It 
has never changed hands, and is in a home of 
its own. The circulation is 600, subscriptions 
paid in advance. It is non-political, but inde- 
pendent in politics. 

The township officers of Clear Creek Town- 
ship are : Township trustees — John Groves, 
Frank Hedges, Nicholas Fossnaugh. Town- 
ship clerk — C. O. Barr. Township superin- 
tendent of schools^ — C. E. Valentine. 

The doctors are G. P. Huddle and C. A. 
Kefauer. 

The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Stouts- 
ville enjoys the patronage and confidence of 
the people. Its president is E. V. Barr and 
cashier W. A. Myers. 

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP 

Greenfield township is bounded on the 
north by Liberty, on the east by Pleasant, 
on the south by Hocking, and on the west 
by Bloom. Its surface is level and it was 
settled early, as its green fields attracted 
the settlers who had come to New Lan- 
caster, as Lancaster was first called. 

Settlements were made as early as 1798 
and in 1799 numerous families had settled 
on the Hockhocking, in the Claypool neigh- 
borhood, then called Yankeetown. Among 
the early settlers we find the rjames of Isaac 
Meason, Capt. Joseph Steward, William 



McFarland, Ralph Bright, Jacob Dumont, 
Henry Abrams, John Bailar, Adam and John 
Westenberger, John McArthur, John 
Morgan, and Alexander Sanderson. Capt. 
Joseph Steward settled in 1799 on the Co- 
lumbus pike, two miles south of Lancaster. 
His son, Levi Steward, was born in 1800 
and was the first white child born in the 
township. James Wells settled on the pres- 
ent Hooker land in 1799. Alexander San- 
derson came in 1798. The first school was 
erected in 1802 on the Shufif farm and was 
taught by Mr. May. 

Greenfield township was laid out in 1805. 
Prominent men in this vicinity were Colonel 
Crook, Jacob Claypool, Solomon Smith, 
Henry Holmes, Samuel Cofifman, D. C. 
Keller, and Isaac Meason. Jacob Claypool 
built the Academy, which was built for 
school and church purposes, the date of 
erection being 1830. The buildings are still 
standing on the Claypool farm five miles 
from Lancaster. A further account of this 
noted academy will be found in Chapter 14. 
There are four villages in Greenfield 
township — Carroll, Havensport, Dumont- 
ville and Hooker. 

The Hocking Valley railroad enters the 
township at Carroll in the northwest cor- 
ner and traverses the township diagonally. 
It has a station at Carroll and at Hookers. 
The Scioto Vliey Traction Company fol- 
lows the general direction of the Hocking 
Valley. The Ohio Canal passes through 
the northwest corner of Greenfield town- 
ship, and Carroll was the town where the 
Ohio and Hocking canals united. There 
are two pikes across the township, one from 
Lancaster through Dumontville to Balti- 
more and one from Lancaster throusrh 
Hooker to Carroll. 



136 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



HOOKER AND DUMONTVILLE 

Hooker is a town of about 300 people, lo- 
cated on the Hocking Valley and the Scioto 
Valley Traction Company. 

HAVENSPORT 

Havensport, one and a half miles north- 
east of Carroll, was platted by Isaac Havens 
at the time of the completion of the canal in 
1 83 1. Dumontville was named from James 
Dumont. Both these towns now are a mere 
collection of houses. 

CARROLL 

Carroll was laid out by William Long after 
the completion of the canal. For a good 
many years it was a thriving little town, be- 
cause of the grain market. At present (1912) 
it is in a flourishing condition. In Carroll 
the following carry on a good business: M. 
J. Blackstone and Harry Brandt, general 
stores; J. C. Bowman, hardware; J- H. Ruff 
and W. J. Green, meat markets; F. O. Par- 
rish and A. Bender (who has been in busi- 
ness 40 years in the same place) have well 
equipped blacksmith shops. 

The following are the township officers 
(1912) : E. W. Kull, William White and F. 
S. Carnes, trustees; J. C. Bowman, treasurer; 
S. C. Moore, clerk; G. W. Lamb, William 
White, S. W. Courtright, M. P. Fisher and 
L. A. Miller, Board of Education; William 
Metzger and D. W. Miller, constables. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank does a 
general banking business. 

Carroll has a new $25,000 High School and 
employs six teachers. E. C. Dilger, superin- 
tendent; Leroy Soliday, principal of the High 
School ; E. A. Schmidt, assistant principal ; 
O. C. Moore, grammar department; Miss 
Bertha Macklin, intermediate department; 
Miss Mayrue Kester, primary department. 



The High School is a first grade High School. 
There are two churches at Carroll — the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Rev. 
J. C. Peitsmeyer is pastor, and the United 
Brethren Church, with Rev. O. A. Wright, 
pastor. 

The town has three physicians. Dr. H. A. 
Brown has practiced medicine in Carroll for 
thirty years and with his son, Dr. A. A. 
Brown, is still practicing. Dr. C. A. Barrow 
is also located at Carroll. 

H. A. Brown, M. D., of Carroll, Ohio, was 
born March 15, 1854, at Sugar Grove, Fair- 
field County, son of R. H. Brown, M. D. He 
is a grandson of Benjamin Brown, a native 
of Maryland and of English extraction. He 
graduated from Starling Medical College of 
Columbus, Ohio, in 1875; practiced one year 
at Sugar Grove, Ohio, and came to Carroll, 
Ohio, in 1876, where he has remained ever 
since. He belongs to the County, State and 
National medical societies, and fraternally is 
an active member of Mount Pleasant Lodge, 
No. 48, F. & A. M., of Lancaster; the 
Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of 
Carroll. He is a member of the local school 
board, now serving as president, and is a mem- 
ber also of the village council. He married 
Emma E. Ackers, daughter of Ephraim .Ack- 
ers, once auditor of Fairfield County. Two 
sons were born to Dr. and Mrs. Brown — Rob- 
ert H. and Archie A., of whom the fomier is 
now deceased. The latter is a practicing phy- 
sician associated with his father. Dr. and 
Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist 
Church. 

Archie A. Brown, M. D., of Carroll, Ohio, 
was born December 31, 1888, at Carroll, Fair- 
field County, Ohio, a son of H. A. Brown, 
M. D., and grandson of R. H. Brown, M. D. 
He was graduated from Stirling-Ohio-Med- 
ical College, at Columbus, Ohio, in 1909, and 




s^r*'^^??? 






o 




AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



13U 



has been associated in practice with his father 
ever since. He is a member of the village 
council, of the Ijoard of health and the County, 
State and National medical societies. While 
attending the medical school he was a mem- 
ber of the Phi Delta Medical Fraternity, the 
Starling Loving Society, and Alumni Asso- 
ciation. He is still single. 

C. A. Barrow, M. D., of Carroll, Ohio, was 
born in England, March 21, 1865, and re- 
ceived a common school education before en- 
tering medical school. He was graduated 
June 21, 1893. He practiced medicine in New 
Straitsville, Ohio, for eighteen years, and for 
fourteen years he was also engaged there in 
mining coal. He has been president of The 
Martin Bank Company for the past three 
years. 

The Carroll Village Public School, formerly 
sub-district No. 4, of Greenfield township, be- 
came a separate school in April, 1863, soon 
after there was added to the village district 
territory from Violet, Liberty, Greenfield and 
Bloom townships. It became a High School 
in 1886. In 1 90 1 it was advanced to a sec- 
ond grade by the State Department of Educa- 
tion. In 1906 it received a charter as a high 
school of the first grade. It has a great list 
of teachers and superintendents, beginning 
back in 1874-5, as follows: G. W. Laub. two 
years; R. F. Brown, one year; W. H. Hart- 
sough, six years; Charles I. Blosser, two years; 
H. C. Bailey, three years; M. C. Smith, two 
years ; D. C. Arnold, two years ; A. D. Groves, 
two years ; F. P. Schisler, one year ; T. Frank- 
lin Johnson, one year; Perry R. Wolfe, one 
year ; Clarence Balthaser, two years ; William 
F. Brandt, four years; W. H. Ackers, five 
years; and the present superintendent, E. 
C. Dilger, six years. 

In 1910-11 a new High School building was 
constructed at a cost of $26,000. It has eight 



class rooms, two laboratories, library room, 
superintendent's office, teachers' consultation 
room and a large auditorium, which will seat 
over 400 people. There is a school library of 
about 600 volumes, a well equipped physical 
laboratory and also a well equipped chemical 
laboratory. 

This school is recognized as a school of the 
first grade by the Ohio State University and 
all other colleges of the state and by the State 
Department of Education. The present board 
of education is as follows ; Arthur A. Cof- 
man, president; C. E. Kistler, clerk; Dr. H. 
A. Brown, Dr. J. G. Nau, and G. J. Metzger. 
The present corps of teachers is as follows : E. 
C. Dilger, superintendent; Leroy M. Soliday, 
principal ; E. M. Schmidt, assistant principal 
and eighth grade; O. C. Moore, sixth and 
seventh grades ; Miss Bertha Macklin, third, 
fourth and fifth grades ; Miss Mayme Kester, 
first and second grades. 

The following is a list of the graduates of 
the Carroll High School : 1887, Mrs. Jessie 
Gundy (nee Wilson), Grace Martindale (de- 
ceased), Geo. Touill, now teacher of Colum- 
bus schools ; W. C. Bates, of Columbus ; Belle 
Carpenter (nee Lewallyn now of Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania; Wallace Kistler, of Columbus, 
Ohio; Harry Justice, of Columbus, Ohio; 
Frank E. Willson, of Lancaster. 1904 — Orin 
Shank ( deceased), Ralph Claypool (de- 
ceased), Mary Coffman (nee Lewis), Faye 
Wildermuth, now superintendent of Kingston 
schools ; Russell McFarland, now a senior in 
O. S. U. ; Mary Jordan, of Carroll. 1905 — ■ 
Harold Nau, now principal of schools of 
Plain City, Ohio; .Archie A. Brown, now doc- 
tor at Carroll. 1906 — Mayme Kester, 
primary teacher afCarroll; Dora Cooper, (nee 
Cofman). 1908 — Russell McFarland, senior 
at O. S. U. ; O. W. Schaefer, freshman at O. 
S. U. ; E. M. Schmidt, assistant principal at 



140 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Carroll; Scot W. Courtright, Jr., junior at O. 
S. U. ; Archie Ridgway, Muncie, Ind. ; Effie 
Kester, teacher in Greenfield township; Esthel 
Kester, nurse in Columbus. 1909 — Harry 
Kindler, farmer; Jay Holmes, mail clerk, 
Akron ; Clarence Kaffits, painter, Groveport ; 
Nellie Courtright; Grover C. Raver, attorney. 
Canal Winchester; Heber B. Nau, Junior, 
Starling Medical College. 19 10 — Eva B. 
Dilger, teacher, Greenfield township; Verla L. 
Dilger, teacher. Pleasant township; George 
Schmidt, teacher, Greenfield township; Emma 
Schaefer, teacher, Thurston, Ohio; Clarence 
Metzger, miller, Carroll ; Robert Schaefer, 
optician, Carroll; Ray D. Blackstone, book- 
keeper, Columbus, Ohio; Nancy Coakley, Jane 
Coakley, Mary Carnes, Florence Ranch, 
Adrian Knight, Painter, Columbus, Ohio. 
191 1 — Dorothy Nau, Training school, Co- 
lumbus ; Helen Garaghty, Training school, Co- 
lumbus ; Hazel Newman, freshman. Alliance 
College ; Robert Sherrick, farmer ; Frank 
Coflfman, farmer; Harold Benson, farmer; 
Leroy M. Soliday, principal Carroll Schools. 
Graduating class of 1912: Paul M. Winter, 
Alvin Gibbony, McK. Jordan, Nial H. Carnes, 
Anna Cooper, Mary Kistler, Goldie Sherrick 
and Fern Gundy. 

The business firms of Carroll are the fol- 
lowing : Harry Brandt's general store ; Black- 
stone & Son, general store ; J. C. Bowman, 
hardware and implements; J. H. Ruff, meat 
market; Wm. J. Green, meat market; H. L, 
Gierhart, harness shop; M. O. Young 
restaurant ; Bishop & Miller, undertakers ; J 
P. Gundy, flour mill and grain elevator; J 
C. Shaeffer, grain elevator; Anthony Bender 
general blacksmith ; T. O. Parrish, general 
blacksmith; J. H. Smith, barber; Charles Ash, 
barber; Carroll Manufacturing Co., manu- 
facturers of dust pans and cuspidor holders ; 
The Farmers & Merchants Bank Co. (L. T. 



Martin, Pres., C. E. Kistler, cashier; C. E. 
Kistler, assistant cashier) ; J. M. Winter, post- 
master. There are two churches : The M. E. 
Church, Rev. I. C. Peitsmeyer, pastor; U. B. 
Church, Rev. O. C. Wright, pastor. 

A new town hall has just been finished in 
Carroll at a cost of about $10,000 and was 
opened to the public on February 16, 1912. 

HON. JOHN GRAYBILL 

John Graybill was born in Lancaster Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, January 22, A. D. 1785, and 
emigrated with his father to Fairfield County 
Ohio in 1800. They settled on a large tract 
of land purchased by the father, Samuel Gray- 
bill, located in Greenfield Township, about one 
and a half miles northwest of the present 
corporate limits, of the City of Lancaster, and 
where Judge Graybill continued to reside until 
August 29, 1867, when he fell asleep, full of 
years, loved, honored, and respected by the 
entire community. 

During the early years of his residence in 
Fairfield County Mr. Graybill was engaged in 
the business of hauling produce, and merchan- 
dise to and from Philadelphia, Pa. to Lancas- 
ter, Ohio — in "Conestoga wagons," having 
several wagons with teams of four and six 
horses, employed in that service, and making 
the trips over the mountains at frequent in- 
tervals. Fairfield County, at that time, con- 
sidered as the "far west," was largely settled 
by emigrants from Lancaster County, Pa., and 
the village, or town, of Lancaster, Ohio — was 
named b\' them after the City of Lancaster, 
Pa. — and in those days was known as "New 
Lancaster" which name it retained for a num- 
ber of years, when the "New" was dropped. 

Mr. Graybill served as a private in the War 
of 1812, and took an active interest in the 
State Militia for many years after the close 
of the war. His commissions as ensign of the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



141 



first Company, Second Battallion of Fourth 
Regiment, Third Brigade, dated August i, 
1 813, signed by Return J. Meigs, Governor, 
and as first Heutenant of the same Company, 
dated January i, A. D. 181 6, signed by Thom- 
as Worthington, Governor, still occupy a place 
on the walls of the library of his grandson. 
Judge J. G. Reeves. 

He served as Justice of the Peace in Green- 
field Township over twenty-five years, and a 
number of his commissions signed by Jere- 
miah Morrow, Allen Trimble, Duncan Mc- 
Arthur, and a long line of the early Governors 
of Ohio, are still preserved as relics. He 
served two tenns as commissioner of Fairfield 
County, and 1836 and 1837, with William 
Medill, (afterwards Governor of Ohio), rep- 
resented Fairfield County in the Ohio Legis- 
lature. In the spring of 1838 he was elected 
by the Legislature, Associate Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield County 
for the term of seven years, his commission 
dated March 9, 1838 signed by Joseph Vance, 
Governor, is still preserved by his grandson, 
J. G. Reeves, whose commissions as Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas are dated No- 
vember, 1900, 1 90 1, and 1906, the first over 
sixty-two years thereafter. 

Judge Graybill was a Democrat of the 
Jacksonian type, and took an active part in 
the politics of his County and State. He was 
the warm personal and political friend of 
Governors William Medill, and William Al- 
len and of David Tod, and John Brough dur- 
ing their adherence to the Democratic Party. 

On May 19. 1818, in Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, John Graybill was married to 
Susanna Lightner Eckert, and a few days 
thereafter they bid adieu to their friends in 
Lancaster County and started on their bridal 
tour across the mountains, in a Conestoga 
wagon, for his home in Fairfield County Ohio 



— then the "far west." As a memento of this 
trip their grandson still possesses one of the 
bridal presents, an old fashioned china tea set, 
consisting of tea pot, sugar bowl, cream 
pitcher, and twelve cups and saucers, all per- 
fect, without a nick or crack therein, notwith- 
standing their long journey in the Conestoga 
wagon, neatly packed in a brand new feather 
bed, another present from the mother of the 
bride ; and their subsequent usage on "state 
occasions." 

From its earliest history the City of Lancas- 
ter and vicinity has been noted for the high 
social standing, intelligence, and hospitality of 
its citizens, and in this favored community 
Mrs. Graybill soon took a prominent social 
position, which she maintained during her en- 
tire life, all recognizing her high social, intel- 
lectual, and Christian character. She was an 
earnest and consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, having united with the old 
Leacock Church near Lancaster, Pennsyl- 
vania, when only sixteen years old, and con- 
tinued in that faith. She was the orphan's 
friend, many of whom reared under her care, 
lived to call her blessed, and with her many 
friends mourn her loss, when on March 19, 
1876, she was laid to rest. 

This union was blessed with only one child, 
Martha S. Graybill, who married Josiah 
Reeves, both of whom died leaving their sur- 
viving children, John G. Reeves, and Samuel 
L. Reeves, to the tender care, and Christian 
guidance of their grandparents, who nobly 
fulfilled the sacred trust reposed in them. 

HOCKING TOWNSHIP 

Hocking township is bounded on the north 
by Greenfield, on the east by Berne, on the 
south by Madison and on the west by Amanda. 
The northwestern part of the township is 
somewhat undulating and rich in soil, but the 



142 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



whole of the southeastern portion is made np 
of hills and \alleys with a shallow, sandy soil. 
On the ridges of the hills there will scarcely 
anything grow except ferns, mountain laurel 
and a few hardy shrubs. 

In the extreme southeastern part of this 
township is the State Reform Farm for boys. 
It contains 1,210 acres and for the most part 
poor land, but the scenery from the ele\ation 
upon which tlie buildings are placed is most 
beautiful. The site for this farm was orig- 
inally owned by Mr. Reber who used it for 
raising tobacco, but Henry Myers owned it 
at the time the State bought it (1857) for $13 
an acre. A description of the Reform Farm 
or Boys' Industrial School will be found in 
Chapter 15. 

Just north of the State Reform Farm is a 
natural curiosity which is visited by hundreds 
of sightseers every year. It is a large rock — 
an acre in area, — and is situated on the sum- 
mit of the old Stump Hill. The hill is near 
the old Lancaster and State Farm pike and 
just south of the Uhl farm; the hill is about 
150 feet high. The rock on this hill is from 
45 to 75 feet high and it is called Christmas 
Rock or River Rock. There is. an interesting 
legend which tells how, at the time of the 
great earthquake at the crucifixion of Christ, 
this rock was cleft. The rock has been cleft, 
from end to end and from top to bottom, later- 
ally and lengthwise into fissures — some of 
them one foot wide, others four or five feet 
wide, but in all cases they rise perpendicularly 
from 40 to 70 feet in height, some of them 
from end to end being 300 feet. From the top 
of this rock there is the finest view to be seen 
for miles, with the valleys and hills and fer- 
tile fields lying about, and Lancaster six miles 
away. 

The pioneers of this township were the first 



settlers in the county. Among these may be 
mentioned Joseph Hunter, the Greens, Shaf- 
fers, Spurgeons, Woodrings, Reeces, Wilson, 
Converse and others. Some of these were 
early on the ground — those coming from the 
east, loading their goods in flat boats at Pitts- 
burg, floating down the Ohio to the mouth 
of the Hocking and from there taking their 
goods by canoe uji the Hocking to New Lan- 
caster as Lancaster was first called. 

Capt. Joseph Hunter, father of Hocking H. 
Hunter, was the first settler of Hocking town- 
ship. He came from Kentucky and settled 
on Zane's Trace, where Hunter's Settlement 
afterwards was. He came in 1798 and for a 
time was the only white man in the county. 
Hocking H. Hunter was born August i, 1801, 
and is claimed to be the first white child born 
in the county: other authorities say Delilah 
Shaffer was born in 1800. 

Samuel Coates, Jr. was postmaster in 1800, 
the mail coming once a week via Zane's Trace 
from Wheeling to Maysville, and here we see 
the changes 100 years have wrought. The 
rural routes from Lancaster bring practically 
every farmer in Hocking township his mail 
every day. There are only two small villages 
in the township : Del Mount, a station on the 
Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley R. R. ; and 
Hamburg in the southern part of the town- 
ship. 

In an early day Hamburg was a stopping 
place on Zane's Trace. It was laid out by 
William Medill about 1812. During Gen. Har- 
rison's time, he and other noted passengers 
frequently stopped here. 

The churches of the township are (1912) : 
The Hamburg English Lutheran (no pastor 
for several years) ; the Brick Lutheran, Rev. 
A. Kohler (of Sugar Grove) ; Trinity 
Evangelical Lutheran, Rev. Geo. Dittmar ; 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



143 



East Union United Brethren, Rev. Wm. 
Belcher; Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal, Rev. 
Turner. 

The following are the township officers : 
Trustees, Henry M. Jackson, Pres. ; Charles 
M. Smith, Frank Erick, clerk ; C. D. Hoffman, 
treasurer. T. G. Rufif. Justice of the Peace, 
John Lysinger; constables, Dill Lysinger, and 
George C. Gettz ; ditch supervisor, John C. 
Ritchie; board of education: Noah Dickson, 
Pres. ; Ed. M. Walter, Vice Pres. ; J. T. Darl- 
ing, S. J. McAuliffe and Will S. Crumley. 

The ta.x duplicate of Hocking township is 
$17,293.14. 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP 

Liberty township is bounded on the north 
by Licking County, on the east by Walnut 
township, on the south by Greenfield and on 
the west by Violet. It is a regular township 
of 36 sections. It v.as named Liberty at the 
request of the first settlers who were from 
Switzerland. They had emigrated from a land 
where their liberties had been much restricted 
and they desired to perpetuate the change to 
. freedom, hence the name Liberty. 

The surface of Liberty township, formerly 
covered with a dense forest, is generally flat, 
being slightly rolling al)out Baltimore and Basil. 
Walnut Creek is the principal stream in the 
township and crosses the southern part of the 
township. Poplar Creek is its principal tribu- 
tary. The Ohio Canal crosses the southwest- 
ern part of the township. A portion of the 
Refugee tract of land is situated in the north- 
em part of the township. The roads through 
Liberty follow the cardinal points. 

Among the first settlers were Christian 
Gundy, who came from Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1809, and settled in the south- 
ern part of the township, David Brumbach 
who came in 1803, and the early Swiss set- 
tlers were Nicholas Bader, Joseph Alt and 



Jacob Showley, all of whom settled in Liberty 
prior to 1806. The first tavern was kept by 
Michael Allen. 

Rev. Henry Leonard furnished this list of 
settlers and families who lived in Liberty town- 
ship prior to 181 1, viz : The Ebersoles, Cooks, 
Campbells, Zirkles, Hiesers, Alts, Heistands, 
Apt. Finkbone, Kemerer, Paff, Bolenbaugh, 
Rouch, Newell, Blauser, Brown, Shriner, 
Knepper, Moorehead, Olinger, Wright, Tus- 
ing, Gromilers, McCalla, Switzer, Amspach, 
Heyle, Farmers, Leonard, Sann, Rouch, 
Sagers and Wilsons. 

Liberty township is a fertile township and 
large quantities of grain are grown. In an 
early day ginseng grew in large quantities in 
the woods and the settlers depended on the 
sale of this root to pay their taxes. 

BALTIMORE 

There are two prosperous villages in Liberty 
township, Baltimore and Basil, both on the 
Toledo and Ohio Central Railway, and only 
one mile apart. Baltimore is the older of the 
two villages, dating back to 1824. In the early 
days of the Ohio Canal, Baltimore was a great 
market for grain, which was shipped via the 
canal. Wing and Atwood built the first grain 
warehouse ; Amos Sweazy built another soon 
afterward. Wing Ruffner and Coulson built 
the first grist-mill in 1835. 

Baltimore was laid out by Henry Hilde- 
brand in 1824 and in honor of his native 
villaee named New Market, from his na- 
five town of New Market, Va. This name 
was subsequently changed to Baltimore 
and was incorporated by act of legislature 
February 19, 1833. 

An Act to Incorporate the Town of Baltimore 
in Fairfield County, Ohio. 

"Sec. 1. — Be it enacted by this State of 
Ohio, that so much of the township of Lib- 
erty in the county of Fairfield as is compre- 



144 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



hended in the plat (which is on file) of the 
town of Baltimore, with such plats as have 
been or may hereafter be recorded as ad- 
ditions thereto, be and the same is hereby 
erected into and constituted a town corporate 
by the name of Baltimore." 

Section 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 appertain to 
the election, appointment and qualification 
of town officers. 

Sections 2 and 9 provide for the mak- 
ing and repealing- of ordinances (which 
have been done from time to time to con- 
form to the general laws) for the levying 
of taxes, assessing fines, working the 
streets, etc. 

Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 pre- 
scribe for the duties of the president (now 
mayor), recorder (now clerk), marshal and 
treasurer, etc. 

There have been more general changes 
in reference to the government of villages 
and towns, such as changing the time and 
mode of elections and names of officers, 
to which our town has conformed. 

Sections 16 provides "that this act shall 
be taken and received in all courts and by 
all public officers as a public act, and all 
copies of it printed under the authority 
of the General Assembly shall be admitted 
as good and conclusive evidence thereof. 

Section 17 provides "that the sheriff of 
Fairfield County is hereby required to re- 
ceive any person in the jail of said county 
who may be ordered to be imprisoned in 
pursuance to the provisions of this act or 
any ordinances under it, and he shall re- 
ceive the same fees for his services as he 
is entitled to in like cases. 

Section provides "that any future legis- 
lature shall have power to alter, amend or 
repeal this act (This act has been amended 
by general laws, but has never been re- 
pealed). 

Passed February 19, 1833. 



Baltimore has at this date — January, 
1912 — a population of 675, which is grad- 
ually increasing. For several years after 
the completion of the Ohio Canal, 1832, 
Baltimore was a place of considerable im- 
portance, large quantities of wheat and 
corn and other produce were purchased by 
the business men of the village and shipped 
via the canal to eastern markets. The vil- 
lage has one hotel, three dry goods stores, 
two groceries, one bank, one restaurant, 
one planing-mill, one undertaking establish- 
ment and furniture store, one drug store, 
one butcher shop, one paper-mill, one box 
factory and three churches — the Alethodist 
Episcopal, United Brethren and United 
Evangelical. 

At an early date in its history the vil- 
lage sustained a newspaper called the 
"Baltimore Times." It originated in 1832 
and existed about four years. A. D. Raw- 
lings was the publisher. At this date the 
village and the surrounding country sup- 
ports a newspaper, called the "Twin City 
News," of which E. O. Weist is the editor 
and proprietor. 

The following are the officers of the vil- 
lage : Mayor, S. S. Weist ; Clerk, Frank 
Good; marshal!, I. D. Lines; treasurer, 
John Fenstermaker. Councilmen — J. R. 
Johnson, I. N. Carnes, A. Hansberger, 
Charles Betz, H. Hanna and L. R. Davis. 

Industries 

One of the chief manufactories of Balti- 
more is the paper mill. In 1893 the Fair- 
field Paper Company built this mill. It 
was built to make paper out of straw. 
After it had run three or four years, there 
was an injunction served on them for pol- 
luting the water in the creek. As a re- 
sult, the mill was turned into an old paper 
and wood pulp mill. In 1909, a company 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



145 



was formed, which took the mill and in 
1910, this company built one of the largest 
corrugated paper factories in the country. 
It is now running and so is the paper mill. 
Joseph Smart built the paper mill. Local 
and foreign capital built the corrugated 
box factory. C. M. Wagner, A. Hans- 
barger and N. H. Carpenter of Baltimore 
are members of this company and the re- 
maining stock is held by Coshocton, Ohio, 
people. 

The following stores and places of busi- 
ness are found in Baltimore (1912): W. 
C. and E. E. Hansbarger, general mer- 
chandise; C. J. Betz and \V. R. Osburn, 
groceries and dry goods; J. A. Kumler, 
druggist; A. E. Johnson and Co., furniture 
and undertaking; Baltimore Hardware Co., 
George H. Lohr and W. W. Fultz; C. A. 
Thomas, bakery; J. W. Jones, grocery and 
postmaster; G. E. Miller, restaurant; W. 
L. Buchanan, hotel; J. H. Gierhart, meat 
market; H. E. Johnson and H. C. Swarner. 
tailors; Harvey Swarner, jewelry store; 
store; and the Buckeye Planing Mill Co., 
A. J. Keller, president and manager. 

The following tailors have plied their 
trade in Baltimore the last 70 years: Mr. 
Burkey, Isaac Smurr, James Black, James 
Horn, Frank Littlejohn, Henry Schaertzer, 
Joseph Trovinger, James Terrence, Jacob 
Kaiser, Frank Gibson, H. Brown, Frank 
Gehring, William Luby, Pete Bitlich, H. 
E. Johnson, H. C. Swarner. 

Physicians 

From an authentic source we have been 
able to get the names of the following 
doctors who have served the people of 
Baltimore: Drs. Sprague, Hore (son-in- 
law of Sprague), Fisher, J. E. Miller, Her- 
man Heston, J. W. Whittier, J. Peters, C. 



W. Dreisbach (the son of Prof. Herr Dreis- 
bach, the lion tamer). 

Among the very early physicians of 
Baltimore were Dr. S. S. Gohegan, Dr. 
William Ouinn and Dr. Helmick, later Dr. 
Hummell and Thomen. Dr. Helmick Jr. is 
now a successful practitioner at Commer- 
cial Point, Ohio. 

Dr. H. I. Hummell was born near Car- 
roll in 1839. While quite a young man 
he read medicine, and settled in Baltimore 
in 1859. He attended lectures for two 
years after he came to Baltimore and at 
the end of that time, March 28, 1861, he 
was married to Mary Holmes who was 
born at Carroll, October 6, 1838. To them 
were born two children, a boy and a girl, 
both of whom died in infancy. He was a 
candidate for representative two different 
times. He was a life-long Democrat, and 
a recognized leader of his party. Mrs. 
Hummell died May 13, 1904, aged 66 years, 
seven months and seven days. Her hus- 
band, the doctor, died June 18, 1904, and 
was buried at the old Betzer cemetery west 
of Carroll. Dr. Hummell enjoyed a large 
and lucrative practice for many years. He 
always had hosts of friends, to whom he 
was generous to a fault. He was a con- 
stant reader of current events, as well as 
along professional lines. There are hun- 
dreds of people living today who were made 
to feel his ability in the sickroom, and who 
remember him as a generous-hearted friend. 
In the busy days of his practice he was 
always neat, clean and correctly attired, 
with a cheerful greeting for every one. 

Dr. Benjamin K. Thomen was born in 
1831 and graduated in i860 from the Cin- 
cinnati Medical College. He practiced 
medicine for 40 years, a faithful, earnest 
worker and a fine Christian gentleman. 



146 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Dr. Thomen has a wide influence for good. 
He was a leader among his people, in 
church and in the daily walks of life, dur- 
ing his long practice. On account of ad- 
vancing years he has retired from active 
practice, and is living in Cleveland with his 
son, Dr. A. A. Thomen. He has ever been 
a faithful, consistent member of the Method- 
ist church. 

The doctors and dentists practicing to- 
day (1912). 

Dr. Charles M. Alt was born December 
16, 1868 and graduated from Starling Med- 
ical College, April 7, 1895. 

Dr. John W. Whittus was born in April, 
1875, graduated from Ohio Medical Col- 
lege. 

Dr. Hanley i\shton was born in 1881, 
graduated in 1906 from Starling Medical 
College and is located at Basil, Ohio. 

Dr. P. P. Sperry, D. D. S., graduated from 
Ohio Medical College in April, 1902. 

Edward P. Sparks graduated from Ohio 
Medical College in 1898. 

The Dry Dock 

One of the interesting features of Balti- 
more in the early days was the Dry Dock. 
The Canal was completed in 1829 and in 
the early '40s, James Thorn built the first 
Dry Dock. The first boat built at this dock 
was the Truro and the last one was the 
Star which was built by J. W. Whitely. 
James Thorn had charge of the dock for 
five or six years when he sold it to Mr. 
Beaty who kept it less than two years. 
J. W. Whitely was the next owner and 
he had charge of it till about 1870 when he 
sold it to Samuel Rader. After running 
the dock two years he sold it to R. C. Soli- 
day who owned it when the last boat went 
through the locks. 



This Dry Dock was considered the best 
one between Cleveland and Portsmouth 
and, very often, from five to thirty boats 
could be seen in the dock waiting for re- 
])airs. Sometimes from 30 to 50 boats 
were in this dock over the winter to be 
painted and repaired. 

I'Vom 1840 to 1875 Baltimore was a great 
grain shipping point. There were five large 
warehouses owned by Wing & Coulson, 
iVlspach, Reed, Cohegan and Brown & 
Glazer. Frequently, at sunrise, wagons 
loaded with grain could be seen standing, 
waiting their chance to unload, one-fourth 
mile in each direction, north, south and 
east and west. 

Tlie boats took the grain to Cleveland 
and brought back loads of lumber and gro- 
ceries so they had loads each way, and made 
plenty of money. 

The only one living who worked on the 
Dock is A. L. Gierhart, now of Tiffin, Ohio. 
The following who worked there in the 6o's 
are all gone: J. W. Whitely, J. N. Hol- 
land, Christ Barclew, Samuel Rader, Samuel 
Weller, R. C. Soliday, Wm. Culp, E. H. 
Wright, Joseph Codner, Jonathan McCalis- 
ter. 

The information about the Dry Dock 
was given to the editor by B. B. Holland 
and he learned many of the facts from his 
father. 

The F'irst National Bank of Baltimore, 
Ohio. — A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. 
Carnes, vice president; C. M. Wagner, cash- 
ier; J. W. Fenstermaker, assistant cash- 
ier. This bank was organized under the 
National Banking laws in the year 1905 
with paid up capital of $25,000. Its doors 
were open to the public for business April 
1, 1905, with the following ofificers and di- 
rectors: A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



147 



Carnes, vice president; C. M. Wagner, 
cashier; John Bright, T. D. Ketner, E. B. 
Wagner. Due to the growing business in the 
year 1908, the directorate was increased 
to seven in number, electing W. C. Hans- 
barger apd J. R. Johnson, and employing 
J. W. Fenstermaker, son of James Fenster- 
maker as assistant cashier. This bank is 
a strong financial factor in the community, 
the capital stock being owned by some of 
the most influential people in the com- 
munity. 

The following compose present board of 
directors and officers : A. Hansbarger, 
president; I. N. Carnes, vice president; E. 
B. Wagner, J. R. Johnson, T. D. Ketner, 
W. C. Hansbarger, John Bright, C. M. 
Wagner, cashier ; J. W. Fenstermaker, as- 
sistant cashier. The cashiers are home 
boys reared on the farm and have the push 
and energy that knows no defeat. They 
have the able support of a board of di- 
rectors, business men and farmers; as their 
financial records will show, their cry has 
been no defeat but on to victory. 

Lamb Brothers — Stock Dealers, Balti- 
more, Ohio. — The firm of Lamb Brothers 
was organized in 1894 by Charles F. and 
William H. Lamb for the purpose of buy- 
ing and shipping- fat stock. They soon be- 
came the leading sliippers of Fairfield 
County. In 1896 they added to their busi- 
ness. Their monthly stock sales were a suc- 
cess from the beginning, the amount sold 
running from fifteen to thirty thousand dol- 
lars. The sales were held on the home 
farm, two miles east of Baltimore, up to 
igo2, when they built their large barns and 
stockyards at the rear of the Toledo & 
Ohio Central depot in Baltimore. In 1905 
F. M. Lamb, the younger brother was taken 
into the firm and in that year they handled 



1,365 horses alone. In 1907 they added real 
estate to their business and have made a 
success of it. They handle lots of southern 
land in Texas and Oklahoma, also in and 
around Columbus, as well as in Fairfield 
County. Their business has exceeded a 
million dollars a year for several years. The 
firm consists of Charles F., William H. and 
Floyd M. Lamb, sons of Worthington M. 
Lamb. 

THE "messenger." 

The first newspaper published in Balti- 
more was called "The Messenger," and its 
first issue came out on Thursday, Novem- 
ber 18, 1886, the work upon this first issue 
being done by Mr. B. B. Holland. It was 
first owned by William L. Mains. Mr. 
Mains sold to P. G. Evans in 1887; he kept 
it only a very short time, selling to George 
Sull, who in 1888 moved the paper to Rush- 
ville. October i, 1889. D. B. Kumler and 
William Burton started the "Fairfield 
County News" and conducted it under that 
name until June i, 1893, when Mr. E. O. 
Weist bought the paper and changed the 
name to the "Twin City News." Mr. Weist 
is still editor and proprietor and issues the 
paper weekly at Baltimore. It is a neat, 
newsy sheet, with a wide circulation and a 
good advertising department. 

Gas Companies of Baltimore and Basil. 

The first company organized was in 1886. 
A well was started in the John NefT tile yard 
lot where Prof. J. J. Wagner now lives. 
They drilled 1,500 feet, got a showing of 
gas when they lost their tools. They 
worked about eight months and then aban- 
doned the well, having spent $5,800. The 
ofticers of this company were — A. J. Mus- 
ser, president; J. M. Bowling, secretary and 
treasurer. Had they gone down 1,900 feet 



148 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



they would have gotten a good well, as 
afterwards good wells were drilled in within 
three hundred feet of the well they had. 

The next company organized was the 
South Liberty Gas and Oil Co., capital $25,- 
000, which was incorporated in July, 1908. 
They put their first well down on the old 
Bibler farm between Baltimore and Basil. 
They drilled in a 5,000,000 gas well on the 
26th of January, 1909. The first officers were 
— A. J. Weaver, president; H. L. Finkbone, 
secretary; John Bright, treasurer; A. J. 
Wagner, A. T. Keller, D. S. Cook and O. 
J. Weist, directors. They have put down ten 
wells and are furnishing Basil with gas. The 
present officers are — D. W. Alt, president; 
Jay Brown, secretary, G. W. Kumler, treas- 
urer; A. J. Weaver, H. L. Tussing, Jefif Roley 
and H. L. Finkbone, directors. 

The Baltimore Oil and Gas Co. was in- 
corporated February 8, 1909, with I. N. 
Carnes, president; W. H. Lamb, vice presi- 
dent; E. C. Wilson, secretary and C. M. 
Wagner, treasurer. The present officers are — 
W. H. Lamb, president; J. R. Johnson, vice 
president; C. M. Sands, secretary; and C. 
M. Wagner, treasurer. They have put down 
about ID wells and have never got a dry hole. 
After the first well was drilled in by the South 
Liberty Co., the old gas companies, such as the 
Columbus Natural Gas Co., The Columbus 
Light and Fuel Co., the Springfield Gas Co., 
the Logan Gas Co., all got in the field, and at 
least 125 wells have been drilled in Liberty, 
Walnut and Greenfield townships. 

The Ohio Fuel Co. have put down a num- 
ber of wells and have only drawn one — this 
is the only company that takes good care of 
their wells. 

The largest well was put down on Lige 
Holland's land at the creek bridge near the 
old tan yard by the Baltimore Co. The in- 



struments could only measure 12 million and 
this well exceeded that amount. The com- 
pany let it become salted and lost the well. 
The flow of gas after three years is much 
diminished and many wells have been pulled, 
but there are many remaining that are good 
producers. 

SOCIETIES 

Baltimore Lodge, No. 475, F. & A. M. — 
This lodge was organized early in the year 
1873 and worked under a dispensation until 
October 22, 1873, when a charter was granted 
with the following charter members : Har- 
rison Applegate, master, W. W. Lucky, Sr. 
W., D. H. Sands, Jr. W., William Myers, Wil- 
liam Cook, Daniel Albright, John H. 
Schaertzer, Thomas Smurr, Louis Shearer, J. 
R. Brant, Elias K. Grube, John Sands, G. W. 
Watson, J. W. Buchanan, E. F. Holland, Bal- 
timore Lodge is in a flourishing condition, 
with a present membership of 75 in good 
standing. The lodge owns its own home, which 
is located on the second floor on the north- 
west corner of the public square. The total 
membership of Baltimore Lodge since insti- 
tuted is 165 (Dec, 191 1 ). 

Baltimore Lodge, No. 202, L O. O. F., was 
instituted June 11, 1852. The charter mem- 
bers were Casper Fidler, A. L. Simmons, H. 
L. Nicely, William Potter, J. Bartolomew, 
William J. Smart, J. Ketner, J. Schlooser, 
James Pugh, Job McNamee, Thomas M. 
Watson, John H. Weakly, Frederick GrafT, 
William Paul, Elijah Warner. The number 
of members in July, 1882, was 92. In 1876 
the lodge erected a neat and commodious 
brick hall, at a cost of $2,000. In 191 1 there 
were 50 members. The lodge is in a flourish- 
ing condition and hold regular meetings every 
Tuesday evening of each week. 

Col. Val Cupp Post, No. 263, G. A. R.— 







^ 
a 



r 
r 




5C 




AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



151 



This Grand Army post was instituted at 
Baltimore, Ohio, October 2, 1882, with the 
following charter members : A. L. Gierhart, 
S. S. Weist, William Cook, J. W. Jones, 
James Buchanan, Geo. W. Allis, John Bright, 
W. A. Wright, A. W. Snyder, Amos Smith, 
James Outcalt, W. W. Oliver. Number of 
members since the organization has been loi ; 
deaths since the organization, 48. The post 
holds regular meetings the second Wednesday 
afternoon of each month. Col. Val Cupp 
Post, No. 263 and the Woman's Relief Corps 
of the same name, No. 232, were named in 
honor of Col. Valentine Cupp, who was killed 
at the battle of Chickamauga. 

Col. Val Cupp Woman's Relief Corps, No. 
232, was instituted at Baltimore, Ohio. June 
13, 1894, with the following charter members: 
Sarah Jones, Martha Arnold, Rebecca Rude- 
sill, Meda Buchanan, Matilda Gierhart, Hulda 
Cook, Ellen Showers, Rebecca Weist, Mary 
Outcalt, Carrie Hansbarger, Mary J. Show- 
ers, Caroline E. Montgomery and Anna C. 
Chapman. The number of members at the 
present time is 26. The corps holds regular 
meetings on the afternoon of the first Wednes- 
day of each month. 

BALTIMORE CHURCHES 

Presbyterian 

The Presbyterian church had a society here 
at an early date. History records a brick build- 
ing belonging to the congregation. The edifice 
is said to have been used in subsequent years 
for a schoolhouse. A frame church building 
belonging also to them was still standing about 
forty years ago. This building was sold to 
the Reformed Church people and was repaired 
by them, and for some years they had a fine 
congregation, as well as a flourishing Sunday 
school. At this date (1912) neither the Pres- 



byterian nor the Reformed people have an or- 
ganized congregation in Baltimore. 

Jesse Schlusser and Rev. Gardner were at 
one time pastors of the Presbyterian church, 
while Rev. Gilpin, Rev. From, Rev. H. H. 
Sands, Rev. Strassner and Rev. Christman 
were pastors in the Reformed church. Among 
the early members of the Presbyterian were 
E. J. Johnson and wife, John Outcalt, Frederic 
Outcalt, Richard Sutphen, James Outcalt and 
Jonas Messerly. Among the members of the 
Reformed church were Jacob Kellenberger, 
Daniel Geselle, John and Mary Freidley. 

Baptist 

The Baltimore Baptist church was organ- 
ized about 1832. The first building — a brick 
structure — was practically destroyed in 1835, 
the gable end of the church, during services, 
being blown in and resulting in death to three 
individuals and injury to several others. The 
pulpit being in that end of the building, the 
minister had a narrow escape from death. 

It was about that time that the building yet 
standing (see note) and now occupied by the 
United Brethren people was erected. Henry 
and Hannah Goss deeded the land for a church 
site about 1834. No services by the Baptist 
people have been held in this building since 
1885 and the last Baptist association here was 
in 1877. Among the old members were Joseph 
Stouder, John Hite, Abraham Hite, Joseph 
Hite. John Bibler, Jacob Bibler, Abraham 
Bibler, Joseph Bibler ( father-in-law to J. W. 
Chapman), William Wing, William Lamb, 
Samuel Hite, J. C. Hite, Hannah and Deborah 
Clark, W. W. and Su.san Nash, Malis.sa Gohe- 
gan, Robinet Cheney and family. 

The following are some of the pastors who 
have served the congregation : Stephen Alton, 



*Since this writing the old Baptist church has been 
replaced by a fine brick edifice. 



152 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Lewis Madden, James Brigham, J. W. 
Heistand, Nehemiah Martin, Lorenzo Kyle 
and Harvey McLaughlin. 

Methodist Episcopal 

In 1901 the Methodist people of Baltimore, 
Ohio, began to make preparation for the 
building of a new house of worship. Sun- 
day, December 20, 1903, witnessed the culmi- 
nation of their efforts. A magnificent struc- 
ture, suitable in every way for the needs of 
a large and flourishing congregation, now 
stands completed — ^the best gift Methodism 
can leave to its children. 

The elements were in a state of warfare, the 
congregation consequently small, but the spirit 
of love and loyalty, of consecration and duty, 
was present at each service. Promptly at ten 
o'clock the opening service was begun. The 
most intense interest was manifest, plainly 
proving that large congregations can not cor- 
ner the spirit of enthusiasm. Led by the choir, 
the congregation joyfully offered their praise 
to God in song and then declared their faith 
in God by repeating the Apostles' creed. The 
Rev. C. M. Prior then invoked God's bless- 
ing upon this people assembled and univers- 
ally. Professor Gordon favored the audience 
with a well rendered vocal selection. Follow- 
ing this number the Rev. R. T. Stevenson, D. 
D.. Professor of History and Literature in 
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. 
Ohio, delivered a most telling discourse, deal- 
ing with the growth and extent of God's king- 
dom. 

Immediately at the close of the sermon, the 
l)astor, J. H. \\'estervelt, announced that there 
was a debt of $3,500 to be met before the 
church could be dedicated to God's service. 
A small congregation, the most disagreeable 
sabbath of the year, an enthusiastic people — ■ 
such were the conditions, but the spirit of lib- 



erality present came off more than conqueror, 
for the total amount asked — $2,500 — was 
raised at the morning service. 

At seven o'clock the doors were opened for 
the final services of the day. Dr. Stephen- 
son preached a splendid revival sermon ; the 
remainder of the debt was raised with com- 
parative ease and, upon the suggestion of the 
pastor a fund was raised for a new organ. 
Subscriptions for over thirty-five hundred 
dollars had been handed in ; the debt was paid, 
a new organ for the Sunday school room had 
been provided for. and the people were 
enthused. How could we help breaking forth 
into "Praise God from \Vhom all blessings 

The closing feature of the day was the 
dedication of the church to the service and 
worship of Almighty God. In behalf of the 
board of trustees, Rev. J. H. Westervelt pre- 
sented the church for dedication, after which 
the prayer of consecration was read by Dr. 
Stevenson. Brothers Espy of the United 
Evangelical Association, Hopper and Mont- 
gomery of the United Brethren, and Prior, a 
former pastor of the church, were present and 
assisted in the dedication exercises. 

The church has been dedicated and w ill here- 
after be closely connected with the interests 
of our community. It is a joy to us, as well 
as a source of pride, speaking, as it does, of 
the prosperity of Methodism in Baltimore. In 
a little more than a year we have raised al- 
most $9,000 for our new church, besides meet- 
ing in full our current expense. We have been 
able to consummate our plans and desires be- 
cause of the abiding presence of our Heavenly 
Father. 

Early in the year of 1892 a strong desire 
arose in the minds and hearts of the leading 
spirits of the church for a new church build- 
ing. This was during tlie last year of the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



153 



pastorate of the late Rev. A. F. Hixon. Sev- 
eral meetings were held at which the ques- 
tion of building a new church was thoroughly 
discussed. To test the matter the pastor and 
several official members were authorized to 
take subscriptions for the object in view. 
None were able to give largely but all gave 
willingly until a total subscription of $3,200 
was secured. At this point the Senior Dorcas 
Society pledged themselves and have since 
raised the sum of $1,000. Using this sub- 
scription as a basis, a building committee of 
five was appointed to devise ways and means 
whereby a church might be built. This com- 
mittee consisted of Dr. B. K. Thomen, S. S. 
Weist, C. A. Thomas, W. R. Osbourn and S. 
T. Keller, together with the pastor as an ex- 
officio member. 

As quickly as circumstances would permit, 
plans and specifications were secured. Here 
the first hitch occurred, in the overlooking of 
the fact that the building trades were being 
crowded with work to their utmost capacity 
for execution and that prices for labor and 
material were consequently at their highest 
point. Plans were formed and matured for 
the removal of the old church from the site 
which it had occupied for almost seventy 
years during the delay incident to the neces- 
sary change in building plans. We have been 
compelled to worship in a building whose 
beauty has been marred seriously by breaks 
in the plastering, and discolored walls, to say 
nothing from the inconveniences we have suf- 
fered from uncarpeted, and consequently cold 
floors. God has been with us, however, and 
today we can rejoice in that, like the Apostle 
Paul, we have been forgetting the things of 
the past and continually looking forward unto 
those things which were before. 

In February of 1901, the committee began 
to work in earnest. Contractor W. W. 



Bope, the son of Jacob Bope who, in 1838, 
built the church which we have discarded, was 
secured, and in April we began the work of 
excavation. Too much cannot be said in honor 
of those of the building committee, church 
membership, and friends, who so generously 
gave of their labor in order that we might be 
saved the cost of excavation. The spirit of 
earnest devotion has characterized the entire 
work. Especially is S. S. Weist to be honored 
for the careful oversight which he has given 
throughout the entire time consumed in the 
erection of the church. 

Dr. B. K. Thomen, I. N. Carnes, and the 
members of the building committee have a 
warm place in our hearts by their close at- 
tention to the decoration and detailed matters 
relating to the thorough completion of our 
church. The building completed is generously 
commended by visiting ministers and laymen 
as one of the finest to be found in any small 
Ohio town. In closing this sketch of our 
church enterprise, too much cannot be laid 
upon the generosity of our friends who so 
kindly donated our splendid art glass windows, 
the Dorcas Society, who have donated $1,000 
for the purpose of our elegant oak pews, pulpit, 
furniture and the construction of the church, 
the Junior Dorcas Society for the gift of a 
new bell. Without exception, all have labored 
earnestly and conscientiously that they might 
present to Almighty God a building suitable 
for his worship and worthy of Baltimore 
Methodism. 

Methodist 

"The most reliable authorities we have 
been able to consult in their statements 
concerning the founding of a Methodist 
church in Baltimore, agree in placing the 
date of the Society's organization as 1829. 
Seventy-four years ago, during the pastor- 



154 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ate of Rev. Zacariah Conull, the local class 
of the Methodist Episcopal church was or- 
ganized. Among the charter members ap- 
pear the names of Lyman Terell, Amos T. 
Swazy and William Taylor, together with 
the names of their wives. The pastors of 
our society in the early days were Zacariah 
Conull, Lenn White and Samuel Hamilton. 
From the records on hand nothing can be 
gathered pertaining to the growth or influ- 
ence of the church at this early period ; 
with no stated meeting-place, public wor- 
ship was observed at the homes of the sev- 
eral members. 

As the spirit of the Lord began to work 
in the hearts of men and souls were gar- 
nered for the Master, the spirit of church 
loyalty and enterprise developed. The need 
of a place set apart for the exclusive use 
of a house of God, began to be felt. Men 
began to bestir themselves. Undaunted by 
their small numbers, they united their ef- 
forts. Shoulders were willingly bent to the 
burden. Materials were gathered together, 
and within a few months after the organi- 
zation of the society, a small brick building 
was erected. It was located upon the same 
spot where for almost eighty years Balti- 
more Methodism has held sway. 

About six years after the completion of 
this crude building, the Baltimore society 
had grown so large numerically that the 
first church, which at its best (and the best 
of those days was poor, as compared to 
present-day ideals), was most illy adapted 
to the needs of a growing congregation — 
was too small to hold the people who as- 
sembled from time to time to hear the 
Gospel of Christ proclaimed from the sa- 
cred desk. A meeting of the membership 
voiced the sentiment that Baltimore needed 
a new church. Difficulties were in the way; 



finances were low; the class record con- 
tained no long list of names, as it does to- 
day, so that the few must bear the burden 
of expense. 

There were heroes in those days, how- 
ever, as there are today, and with the in- 
domitable will which the sturdy pioneer 
of those days possessed, actuated by the 
most holy of desires, our fathers and 
mothers formulated plans whereby God's 
name might be glorified and his cause ad- 
vanced by the erection of a temple suitable 
for the needs of his people. Not only did 
our parents give of their money, but they 
labored with their hands. Finances were 
at low ebb with most, but they gave of their 
little. Teams were offered that the small 
donations might not be dissipated by a use- 
less extravagance. The stone for the 
foundation and the lumber for the super- 
structure were carted most gladly by the 
membership that the class might not be un- 
duly involved in debt. They did not build 
hastily nor unsoundly, as their children and 
grandchildren can testify. Dedicating their 
second church in 1837, under the ministry 
of the Revs. C. W. Swain and W. T. Hand, 
our forefathers laid a foundation upon which 
we have builded characters which count 
largely in the civic and religious circle of 
our community. 

In this structure God's presence has been 
manifested time and time again; God has 
been in his holy temple. Souls freed from 
sin's bondage and born into a new and 
higher life, have rejoiced "with a joy un- 
speakable and full of glory." Hearts that 
have hungered have had broken unto them 
the bread of life ; sorrows have been 
soothed, burdens lifted, spiritual disease 
cleansed by the Good Shepherd, who so 
loved us that he sacrificed his life for us. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



155 



In this church of our father's the child, 
as well as the adult has experienced the 
sacrament of baptism. Here we have con- 
secrated ourselves anew, as we have par- 
taken of His blood. Here hearts have been 
united in holy matrimony. Here we have 
taken our last view of loved ones who now 
await us beyond, and here penitential tears 
have fallen and shouts of praise and joy 
have been raised as the blessed Savior has 
whispered, "Son, Daughter, thy sins be for- 
given thee." Yes, the old building has been 
most sacred to us as individuals and as a 
community, and though we move to newer 
and better quarters, our hearts go back to 
the old home in most precious memories. 

During the sixty-six years that elapsed 
since its erection, the old building has al- 
ways been kept in good repair and today, 
notwithstanding its removal from its old 
position to the site where it now stands, 
its timbers are as sound and well preserved 
as when first hewn from the tree. The 
splendid new structure into which we move 
is our only apology for parting with that 
which has been so intimately connected 
with the life and history of our organiza- 
tion. 

The society now has a membership of 
over 278, with strong auxiliaries. Our 
membership has kept pace with the growth 
and development of the town and the pres- 
ent outlook holds out strong prospect of 
future success. 

One of the most potent factors in our 
church life has been our Sunday school. 
During the years the membership has en- 
joyed a constant growth, the enrollment be- 
•"§■ 175- Superintendent W. R. Osbourn, 
with his efficient corps of officers and teach- 
ers, have labored most earnestly to promote 



a greater interest in the school, and its pres- 
ent efficiency proves that their efforts have 
not been in vain. 

The Epworth League is another factor in 
our church life. Call upon our young peo- 
ple for what you may, they will not fail 
you, and the very present hope that broader 
lines of living will soon be entered upon by 
our young people. Another strong ally of 
the church is the Dorcas Society. Many 
pleasures and comforts of the church had 
their origin in this society. The leaders of 
the Dorcas Society are appealed to on many 
occasions for the many incidental features 
which so greatly contribute to the comfort 
of the church. To this society we owe a 
great debt for their noble efforts in the 
raising of funds for the erection of our pres- 
ent structure. Closely related to the Dor- 
cas Society is the Junior Dorcas Society, 
which is composed of the young ladies and 
girls of our church. Too much cannot be 
said in their praise. Several hundred dol- 
lars have been raised and pledged as the 
result of their work during the past two 
years. 

Baltimore charge, as it is now known, 
was formed in 1842, and has continued to 
exist, with some changes in the outlying ap- 
pointments as a circuit. Baltimore charge 
has two appointments — Baltimore and Basil. 
The following are the officers of the two 
churches (191 i). 

Baltimore: Trustees — ^J. W. Jones, C. A. 
Thomas, W. R. Osbourn, C. F. Miller, Frank 
Wiseman, A. T. Keller, S. S. Weist, J. C. 
Kumler. 

Basil: Trustees— F. M. Paul, D. S. Cook, 
Ezra Smith, E. C. Outcalt, Amos Smith. 

The following pastors have served the 
charge, with parsonage at Baltimore, Ohio: 



156 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1842, Moses A. Milligan and Joseph Car- 
ter; 1843, James B. Gurley and P. P. In- 
galls; 1844, James B. Gurley and E. O. 
Bings; 1845, C. C. Lybrand; 1846, James 
Hopper; 1847, James Gilruth and B. Mark; 
1848, S. Harvey and R. Pitzer; 1849, S. 
Harvey and A. B. Lee; 1850, A. B. Lee and 
David Lewis; 1851, B. Ellis and J. S. 
Adams; 1852, R. Doughty; 1853, R. 
Doughty and A. M. Alexander; 1854, A. M. 
Alexander and Isaac Day; 1855, S. M. 
Bright and H. Gortner; 1856, S. M. Bright; 

1857, Noah Speck and E. W. Kirkham ; 

1858, W. Z. Ross and B. Ellis; 1859, W. Z. 
Ross and B. Ellis; i860, A. Fleming and 
C. C. Lybrand; 1861, A. Fleming and C. C. 
Lybrand ; 1862, J. Marten and N. Speck ; 
1863, J. W. Young and N. Speck; 1864, H. 
C. Firk and C. A. Philips; 1865, H. G. 
Fink; 1866, H. H. Ferris; 1867, William 
Beacham; 1868, H. L. Whitehead; 1869, S. 
C. Riker; 1870, F. T. Lewis and T. C. Read; 
1871, F. T. Lewis; 1872, J. W. Baker; 1873, 
J. W. Baker and L. Brooks; 1874, J. W. 
Beery and W. Z. Filler; 1875, J. H. Beery; 
1876, J. H. Beery; 1877, J. H. Beery; 1878, 
L. F. Postle; 1879, L. F. Postle; 1880, E. H. 
Heagler; 1881, E. H. Heagler; 1882. W. H. 
Sayer; 1883, T. H. Hall; 1884, T. H. Hall; 
1885, T. H. Hall; 1886, P. B. Davis; 1887, 
David Mann; 1889, G. W. Kling; 1890, G. 
W. Kling; 1891, L. B. Sparks; 1892, L. B. 
Sparks; 1893, P- L. Mark; 1894, P. L. Mark; 
1895, C. M. Prior; 1896, C. M. Prior; 1897, 

B. F. Jackson; 1898, B. F. Jackson; 1899, 
A. F. Hixson; 1900, A. F. Hixson; 1901, J. 
H. Westervelt, 1902, J. H. Wester^^elt; 1903, 
J. H. Westervelt; 1904; H. Pfaltzgraf ; 1905, 

C. H. Morrison; 1906, F. R. Crooks; 1907, 
F. R. Crooks; 1908, F. R. Crooks; 1909, G. 
E. Hughs; 1910, G. E. Hughs; 191 1, G. E. 
Hughs; 1912, J. Palford. 



United Brethren 

Baltimore United Brethren Church. — 
Steps were taken as early as 1893, toward 
organizing a United Brethren Church in 
Baltimore. Enos S. Miller, now among the 
redeemed in heaven, Prof. J. J. Wagner, C. 
M. Wagner were among the first to give 
the matter substantial consideration. In 
1894 the Baptist church was leased for a 
term of fifteen years and an organization 
was efifected. The following and others 
were charter members: Enos S. Miller, 
Rev. L. H. Montgomery, wife and daugh- 
ter, John Blauser and wife, Jacob Alt and 
C. M. Wagner. 

The first Board of Trustees was com- 
posed of the following members: Enos S. 
Miller, J. J. Wagner, C. M. Wagner, E. B. 
Wagner, L. H. Montgomery, John Blauser 
and Jacob Alt. 

The first class leader was Rev. L. H. 
Montgomery. John Blauser is the present 
leader. 

The Sunday School was organized July 
7, 1895 by the pastor. Rev. A. J. Wagner, 
with the following ofificers : C. M. Wagner, 
superintendent; E. C. Willison, assistant 
superintendent; O. O. Thomen, secretary; 
Elisha Ranch, treasurer; Bertha Born and 
Alice Snider, librarians; Josephine Willison, 
organist. 

The following have served as superin- 
tendents: C. M. Wagner, J. J. Wagner, I. 
M. Blauser, T. H. Kumler. The following 
pastors have served the church: A. J. Wag- 
ner, I. S. Snelling, J. M. Prickett, L. J. Hop- 
per, S. R. Shaw, J. S. Seaman; present pas- 
tor, W. W. Rymer. 

The church leased from the Baptist was 
improved at considerable cost and dedicated 
by Bishop N. Castle. The property was 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



157 



finally boug-ht and was in use until 1910, 
when the present splendid, modern, commo- 
dious edifice was built at a cost of $15,000, 
and dedicated June 11, 191 1, by Dr. W. R. 
Funk. 

In this beautiful up-to-date church, an in- 
telligent congregation of loyal people gather 
weekly for worship. They have before 
them an encouraging future, and behind 
them is an illustrious record of the United 
Brethren Church. Samuel Heistand, a 
former bishop of the denomination, lies 
buried at Bethel, two and one half miles dis- 
tant, and the remains of George Benedum, 
an honored minister of his day, rest in Lib- 
erty cemetery. But few churches have such 
beautiful historic associations. 

BALTIMORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

The village of Baltimore has had for the 
most part excellent schools. Good schools can 
only come from good teachers, and these 
schools have had a long line of distinguished 
superintendents and principals. Prof. J. C. 
Hartzler, for a quarter of a century the 
worthy superintendent of the Newark schools, 
was once at the head of Baltimore's school 
system. Prof. A. C. Bretz, the well known 
mathematician and surveyor ; F. P. Schisler, 
the polished grammarian and fluent speaker; 
E. C. Hedrick, the practiced teacher, and J. 
H. Horton, the faithful, quiet worker — all 
aided in bringing the schools to a high stand- 
ard. 

Among these worthy teachers none stood 
higher than Prof. J. J. Wagner, who had 
charge of the schools for many years. A 
classical graduate of Otterbein University, a 
teacher by native inclination, he brought to his 
work an unusual amount of power. The editor 
of this history recalls the scenes — the strug- 
gles and triumphs — of a busy school, in the 



old brick building, now a residence, composed 
of some of the strongest students who ever 
entered a schoolroom, among them being 
George Johnson, Charley C. Luckey, George 
Rader, Clarence Culp, Will Culp, Letitia 
Soliday, Livonia Jenkins, Arthur Thomen and 
Eli Wagner. 

The center — the very heart of the work — 
was thp enthusiasm of the teacher, Professor 
Wagner. The best books of the day were 
used, and every subject presented was thor- 
oughly studied, from systems of reading to 
astronomy and trigonometry. Nor were the 
languages neglected — Latin and Greek and 
English composition. The writer recalls a 
class in "Paradise Lost" in which the analysis 
was as keen, the construction as accurate, and 
the whole treatment of that remarkable poem 
as scholarly and as thorough, as he has ever 
heard in college halls of today. Here was real 
love for the work — the very life of the school 
and the scholar — all inspired by the power of 
the teacher. 

Teachers, 1908-09 

High School — J. H. Horton, superintend- 
ent. Mrs. J. H. Horton, primary. 

H. L. Kagay, grammar department. Nettie 
Kumler, intermediate department. Alice 
Holder, primary department. 

Teachers, 1909-10 

High School — C. W. Andrews, superin- 
tendent. H. L. Kagay, primary. 

Nettie Kumler, grammar department. 
Leota Littlejohn, intermediate department. 
Alice Holder, primary department. 

Teachers, 1 910- 11 

High School — C. W. Andrews, superin- 
tendent. H. L. Kagay, principal. Carrie 
Miller, assistant principal. 



158 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Nettie Kumler, grammar department. 
Leota Littlejohn, intermediate department. 
Alice Holder, primary department. 

BALTIMORE SCHOOLS 
PRINCIPALS BALTIMORE SCHOOLS 

1857 — W. H. Beachum. 
i860— J. C. Hartzler. 
1864— Wm. Noble. 
1865 — J. J. Wagner. 
1867— E. F. Holland. 
1869 — J. J. Wagner. 
1877— A. E. Bretz. 
1879 — J- J- Wagner. 
1885— D. B. Kumler. 
1888— W. T. Betz. 
1889— F. P. Schisler. 
1892 — L. L. Wagner. 
1895— J- J- Wagner. 
1896— E. C. Hedrick. 
1900 — L. C. Kemp. 
1901 — ^J. H. Horton. 
1909 to present — C. W. Andrews. 
1905-1906 — J. J. Wagner, Principal High 
School. 

1892-1894 — J. J. Wagner, Grammar Grade. 

Note — From Professor Wagner, who was 
for so many years at the head of the Baltimore 
Public Schools : — 

"If I am correct in the main, I have been at 
Baltimore more than one-fourth but less than 
one-third of the time since 1857. That covers 
the time since the erection of the first brick 
schoolhouse opposite News office." 

GALAXY OF PROMISE 

Among My Pupils 

Charles C. Miller, George V. Johnson, 
George Rader, Clarence M. Culp, William 
L. Culp, Charles C. Lucky, Perry W. Cook, 
Tillie Holmes, Edith L. Soliday, Lavona 



Jenkins, Arthur A. Thomen, Elias B. Wag- 
ner. Among others of that period, yet not of 
that class, are A. J. Wagner, A. J. Weaver, 
Laura Rader, A. P. Rockey, Clark Rockey, 
and many, many others. About 75 of my fam- 
ily during that "Flood Tide" entered the pro- 
fession of teaching. That was during the 
days of no janitor, low prices and plenty of 
hard work. Received $14.25 per month (24 
days from 8:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M.) and 
paid my own board for my first school. 

J. J. W. 

BASIL 

The village of Basil lies three-quarters of 
a mile w-est of Baltimore. At its naming, 
two names — Geneva and Basil — were sug- 
gested. The name Basil was agreed on by 
a majority of one vote, cast by the father of 
Henry Leonard (Sebastian). It was laid 
out in lots in 1825. Basil was incorpo- 
rated in 1905. E. J. Dilger, G. W. Kumler 
and J. M. Weaver have served as mayors. 

Lot Platting History of Basil 

Original plat of Basil by Jacob Goss, 
proprietor in 1825, lots i to 40. 

Later Goss addition to Basil, lots 41 to 64. 
Later Leonard Bros.' addition to Basil, lots 
64 to 7s. 

In 1869 Mayne's addition to Basil, lots 
74 to 147. 

In 1870 Bowling's addition to Basil, lots 
148 to 163. 

In 1879 Mayne City was platted, lots i to 

113- 

In 1895 J. W. Emch platted Highland ad- 
dition, lots I to ID. 

In 1899 John Bigerton platted addition to 
Basil, lots I to 8. 

In 1903 G. W. Kumler platted Kumler 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



159 



\' 



place, a sub-division of lots in Mayne's ad- 
dition, lots I to 15. 

In 1905 Geo. H. Leonard platted lots i to 
15 and called it an addition to Basil. 

Postal Service 

Until 1857 the people of Basil and vicin- 
ity got all their mail at the Baltimore post 
office. About the year 1850, Henry Leon- 
ard (later known as "The Fisherman"), of 
the mercantile firm of Leonard Bros., doing 

The first road in Pleasant Township was 
business in the old brick store on the cor- 
ner, and now occupied by the firm of J. M. 
Bowling & Co., at his own expense procured 
a mail pouch and employed a boy named 
Samuel Schaub — whom many of the older 
citizens recollect — to carry all mail back and 
forth between their store and Baltimore. 
This was quite an accommodation and many 
persons availed themselves of the oppor- 
tunity of getting their mail in this way. 
The boy was not overworked, as mail only 
came to the office in Baltimore three times 
a week. After a couple of years the Jolly 
Fisherman, in his enterprising way, decided 
to cheapen the service as well as add to its 
efficiency. A large Newfoundland dog was 
procured and fitted out with a pair of sad- 
dlebags as a receptacle for the mail. The 
same youth was given the job of instruct- 
ing the dog in his mail messenger duty. It 
was thought that after a few weeks of 
coaching the dog would be able to go it 
alone. But alas! "The plans of mice and 
men gang aft aglee." The dog was learn- 
ing rapidly and the boy was thinking that 
in a few days he could resume his fishing 
and swimming undisturbed. One day, as 
the two were making their way to Balti- 
more, when near the place where the tile 
mill now stands, whether for good luck or 



bad, we know not which, a rabbit crossed 
the road in front of them. As the dog was 
larger than the boy, he asked no permission 
but started post haste after the frightened 
bunny. Owing to the dog's load, he was 
not as swift as the rabbit and when he got 
near the canal he lost sight of the object of 
his pursuit. The dog, thinking, no doubt, 
that the rabbit had crossed the canal, swam 
after it. Not finding his prey on the oppo- 
site side, he swam back again. To use an 
expression now in vogue, the damage done 
to that mail "was a-plenty." The dog being 
likely to meet rabbits almost any day, the 
enterprise was abandoned and thereafter 
the boy trudged his weary way alone. Rev- 
G. H. Leonard, then a boy in his 'teens, was 
a mail messenger for several years. 

In the year 1857 a petition asking the 
Post Office Department at Washington to 
establish a post office at Basil, Ohio, was 
gotten up and forwarded to the late Hon. 
C. D. Martin, then the member of Congress 
from this district. Through his influence 
the petition was granted and the office 
placed in the Leonard store with George 
Messerly (father of our citizen, J. L. Mes- 
serly) as postmaster. After remaining in 
the store for a number of years it was moved 
to the office and residence of Dr. W. F. 
Mayne, now occupied as a residence by E. 
E. Kumler. We are unable to give the 
dates of appointment and length of service 
of the different postmasters who handled 
the mail for the good people of Basil. 

The next person who wrote P. M. after 
his name on all official documents was Dr. 
Shrader, who conducted the office in a small 
building that stood where the meat mar- 
ket of J. F. Finkbone now stands. His 
service extended to about the year 1863 
when Mrs. Luke Pearce, the widow of a 



160 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



soldier, was appointed to the office by Pres- 
ident Lincoln. ' The work was done by her 
two daughters in the building now occupied 
by the Bank of Basil. In 1868 J. H. Har- 
ner, then in partnership with his father, 
H. B. Harner, conducting a general mer- 
cantile business on the corner where J. M. 
Weaver's hardware store is now located, 
assumed the title of postmaster, conducting 
the business in the room adjoining on the 
south, with Henry May as chief clerk. This 
only lasted a year or two, when A. T. Ma- 
son, who was in the drug business, with 
Theophilus Stover, in the Banner building, 
now the general merchandise store of G. W. 
Kumler, became the one who stood the 
blame if expected mail did not arrive on 
time. Going out of business in June, 187 1, 
the office went begging for a while, but was 
again placed in the old brick room on the 
corner under the guiding hand of J. M. 
Bowling. For a while it was in the hard- 
ware store of Weaver & Mauger, with 
Bowling still looking after its supervision. 

About the year 1874 J. W. Chapman re- 
ceived his postmaster's commission and for 
eleven years licked stamps, handed out mail, 
and mended your boots and shoes, "while 
you wait," in a small building located where 
the Township House now stands. The of- 
fice becoming a political football, then 
changed hands at every different political 
administration until 1897. 

During the first Cleveland administration. 
J. K. Henry, now a lawyer of Columbus, con- 
ducted the office in his drug store on the 
corner now occupied by the hardware store 
of J. M. Weaver. From 1889 to 1893, dur- 
ing the Harrison administration, F. M. Paul 
of the firm of Paul & Holland, successors to 
the firm of Driver & Henry, assumed the 
title of P. M. and governed himself accord- 



ingly. From 1893 to 1897, during the sec- 
ond Cleveland administration the honor was 
worn by Dr. L. E. Park, who conducted the 
business in the house now occupied by Mr. 
Elmer Weaver. On September i, 1897, 
J. W. Buchanan, the present incumbent, 
took ciiarge of the office, which for eleven 
years or more was located in the Paul drug 
store in the old Harner building. The drug 
store and post office were moved to the 
Kumler block, their present location, about 
October i, 1908. 

A few words regarding the postal service 
in Basil. Like the service all over the coun- 
try it has kept pace with the demands of the 
people. Until the railroad was built in 1880, 
the mail was carried three times a week on 
horseback from Lancaster. It was what is 
known at the present time as a "star-route," 
leading from Lancaster to Dumontsville, 
Baltimore, Basil, Millersport and Hebron; 
in summer time returning the same day, in 
winter out one day and back the next. 
Monday, Wednesday and Friday were mail 
days. An ordinary-sized leather pouch held 
all the mail for the above-mentioned towns. 
One has only to look at the amount of mail 
coming to Basil five times a day to under- 
stand the growth of the postal service all 
over the country. J. W. Chapman was the 
first postmaster to install call boxes; they 
rented for five cents per quarter. In the 
year 1881 he also got the office rated as a 
money-order office. The first money order 
was purchased August 15, 1881, by John A. 
Laver. The amount was for $7.45 in favor 
of the Brooks Oil Company of Cleveland, 
Ohio. Orders 2, 3 and 4 were purchased by 
Roley & Co., payable at South Bend, Ind. 
They wished to send $130 and had to make 
it in three orders, $50 being the limit for a 
single order. Fees were as follows: from 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



161 



$1 to $15, 10 cents; from $15 to $25, 15 
cents; from $25 to $50, 25 cents. 

Rural service from Basil was established 
in the year 1900. On July ist of that year, 
John V. Good commenced to carry mail on 
Route No. I. Route No. 2 was established 
November ist of the same year. Amos 
Smith was the carrier. He resigned in a 
short time and his place was taken by Chas. 
A. Smurr. Route No. 3, with James F. 
Dumond as carrier, was established May 
15, 1905. Since the establishment of the 
ofifice in 1857, burglars have entered the 
office three times. In 1878 the ofiSce was 
broken into and robbed of some pennies, 
nickels and stamps, in value about eight 
dollars. In 1884 it was again robbed of a 
considerable quantity of stamps, stamped 
paper and a small amount of money. It was 
supposed that the first robbery was com- 
mitted by home talent. The second was 
committed by an ex-convict, who was fin- 
ally apprehended and served four years in 
the penitentiary for the act. On the night 
of April 21, 1910, the office was again en- 
tered by experts, who blew the safe into 
atoms but secured nothing for their trouble. 
The postmaster, suspecting visitors, was 
prepared for them. Several parties were 
suspected but no arrests were made. 

J. W. Buchanan. 

DR. W. F. M.JiYNE .\N1") R.MLROAD HISTORY 

Dr. W. F. Mayne, who died in 1884, was a 
prominent, successful and wealthy physician. 
During the Civil War he purchased the Bib- 
ler farm, adjoining the village of Basil. In 
1869 '^^ platted a double tier of lots on the 
south and west sides of this farm — Lots 74 
to 147 — and called it an addition to Basil. 
This act woke up Basil from its sleepy condi- 
tion for more than a score of years to one of 



activity. The village began to improve and in 
1872 the citizens were very anxious to have 
a railroad, as the shipping facilities on the 
canal were on the wane. Dr. Mayne with 
others worked for a railroad and interested 
some Columbus capitalists to survey a line 
from Columbus through Basil, and the town- 
ship would vote $50,000 in bonds to help 
construct the railroad. An election was 
called to vote bonds in September, 1872. 
The bond issue proposition was defeated, 
not having a two-thirds vote, as the law 
then was, but had a majority vote. 

The next year — 1873 — we had a money 
panic. On account of the general chaos noth- 
ing was done to get a railroad until after re- 
sumption of specie payment in 1879, when 
the Columbus and Sunday Creek Valley Rail- 
road Company surveyed a line on the Refugee 
road, four miles north of Basil to run to Mil- 
lersport, there to form a junction with the 
railroad to run north and south and already 
under construction. Then the big trio, Dr. 
W. F. Mayne, B. M. Pugh, a prominent grain 
dealer, and Solomon Bader, a prominent 
farmer, got busy and called on General Sam- 
uel Thomas, the president of the new pro- 
posed road to cut across farms and bring the 
railroad through Basil and Baltimore and from 
a junction at Bush's Corner (now Thurston). 
These three men, with others agreed to raise 
$10,000 and right of way through Liberty 
Township as a bonus. The proposition was 
accepted. Then came the hustling. The re- 
quired amount of money was raised and right 
of way secured. In April, 1879, grading of the 
road commenced and by January ist, 1880, a 
passenger car passed over the road and money 
subscription was due. 

December 2, 1879, Dr. Mayne platted a new 
town on the Bibler farm through which the 
railroad passed and called it Mayne City, lots 



162 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



running i to 113. For awhile it was thought 
that perhaps the business of Basil would drift 
to the new town on account of railroad facili- 
ties and the abandonment of the canal. When 
deeds of conveyance for lots in Mayne City 

are made, it is usually stated "In lot No. 

in Mayne City within the corporation of 
Basil." 

Mrs. Eliza J. Mayne, the widow of Dr. 
Mayne, is now 82 years old. She still retains 
the old home in Basil and lives here about 
three months every summer. 

Basil's Old Brick Store 

The large Brick Store structure on the 
west corner of Main and Market streets, is 
the oldest store room in Basil, having been 
built in the early 30s, by Henry Leonard, 
who in connection with his brother, S. D. 
Leonard, conducted a thriving general mer- 
chandise store in the building until about 
1855, when they sold out to Wildermuth 
and Miller, who conducted the business un- 
til about i860, when they failed, and having 
made an assignment, the stock was prac- 
tically closed out by auction. About the 
commencement of the Civil War, S. D. 
Leonard placed a stock of merchandise in 
the building and did a successful business 
until about 1869 or '70 when he sold the 
stock of goods to Martin Myers, of Mary- 
land, who conducted the business until 1874, 
when he sold out to Zartman, Bowling and 
Brown. Mr. Brown withdrew from the 
business within a year or two, and with his 
father-in-law, Mr. Myers, Mr. Brown re- 
moved to, or near. Polo, 111., where they 
had a store at same time they owned the 
Basil store. About 1880 Mr. Zartman with- 
drew from the business and opened a shoe 
store in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Bowling 
bought Mr. Zartman's interest in the stock 



of merchandise and conducted the business 
until 1897 — since which time it has been 
conducted by J. M. Bowling and Co. 

H. B. Harner's Store 

During the later 50s, Mr. H. B. Harner 
moved to Basil and opened a store, and 
bought grain at the foot of the hill on the 
canal, and near the commencement of the 
Civil war moved his stock of merchandise 
to the southeast corner of Main and Mar- 
ket streets. He did a thriving business dur- 
insT the Civil war and accumulated consider- 
able money by the advance of goods on 
hands. He continued in business until 1876, 
when he sold out to his son, J. H. Harner. 
In 1877, J. H. Harner sold to D. C. Sutphen, 
who in about two years removed the stock 
of goods to Pleasantville, Ohio. Since 1879 
no general merchandise business has been 
conducted in the store building. H. B. 
Harner and his wife died from erysipelas on 
January i, 1877, and both were buried in the 
same grave, in the Fairfield Cemetery just 
west of the old Basil Cemetery. 

The Bank of Basil 

The Bank of Basil was estabhshed July 
15, 1895, as a partnership or private bank, 
by Samuel S. Rickly, Ralph R. Rickly, John 
E. Martin, George W. Bright and J. S. Mor- 
ton, all of Columbus, O., with the following 
officers : Ralph R. Rickly, president ; George 
W. Bright, vice president; and William H. 
Leitnaker of Basil, O., cashier. This enter- 
prise was launched as an experiment and at 
that time was the only bank in Fairfield 
County outside of Lancaster. Notwith- 
standing the frequent comments and proph- 
ecies that no bank outside of the cities, could 
get enough business to remain open long, 
The Bank of Basil proved the fallacy of that 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 165 

argument by making a steady growth until Alt, John Doomy, Joseph Carmony, Peter 
when a few years later, the deposits of this Roshon, Israel Rushon, John Urbin, Jacob 
bank reached more than one quarter of a Giesy, and George W. Tussing. 
million dollars. Services continued to be held in St. Paul's 
About this time the adjoining towns see- Church until October, 1846, when the Trinity 
ing the success of this venture, organized Reformed congregation was debarred the 
banks also, which absorbed some of the ter- privilege of worship in the above mentioned 
ritory formerly enjoyed by The Bank ot church, the result of which was the building 
Basil. However this senior institution still of the First Trinity Reformed Church in 
holds a good share of the public confidence, Basil, in the summer of 1847, at a cost of 
as well as that of business transactions about $2,500. Henry Leonard, "The Fisher- 
reaching well into the territory now claimed man," gives the following account of this 
by adjoining banks, as is shown by their re- event in his "Allegories," pages 191, 192: 
cent statement. "The first church building here in the vil- 
lage was a Union House, although there were 

^°^"^ $120,000.00 ^^jy ^j^j.^^ Lutheran families here then. 

Cash and due from Banks 80,000.00 g^^^^^^ ^^ ^^.^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^_ ^^^^^ ^^ 

^^P°^'^^ I75-000.00 ij^troduced prayer-meetings and English 

^"•■P'"^ 10,000.00 pj-eaching and night service, about forty of 

The following are the present board of our Reformed flock, sympathized with, and 

officers : Ralph R. Rickly, president ; George cast their influence with the Lutherans. Rev. 

W. Bright, vice president; William H. Leit- Father Weisz was our pastor. 

naker, cashier; Clyde C. Leitnaker, assistant "We had two keys for the church. After 

cashier. the introduction of these 'new measures,' as 

^ ., ^ , ^. , they called them, they took the lock ofif the 

Basil Reformed Church , ^, ^u d r ^ u a ^ 1 ^ +^ 

door; then we, the Reformed, had no key to 

The first church in Basil was the St. Paul's fit. We took legal counsel and opened the 

Reformed and Lutheran church, erected some door by force. Then they brought suit, but 

time prior to 1843. "At a series of meetings before the case came up for a hearing they 

held in this church building by Rev. Henry paid the costs and withdrew the suit. They 

Williard, in February, 1843, many experi- had three charges against us, viz: English 

enced a change of heart and became praying preaching, prayer-meeting, and night service. 

men and praying women. This resulted in a VVe had no 'anxious bench' then. 

division and on Monday, July 21, 1845, Henry "The next step we took was to build a new 

Leonard circulated a call for a meeting to be house of worship, which is our present Trinity 

held at his home in Basil that evening. Thir- Reformed Church, and is now (1886) over 

teen persons were in attendance. A discus- forty years old. We had seven ministers after 

sion of the situation resulted in the organiza- Father Weisz resigned, named as follows: 

tion of the Trinity Reformed Congregation Revs. H. K. Zerbe, Jesse Schlosser, John 

of Basil, O., with the following charter mem- Pence, John Ruhl, John Vogt, D. D., Adam 

bers : Henry Leonard, John Leonard, Nicho- Kendig, and now for the last twenty-two 

las G. Messerly, Henry Switzer, Jr., Joseph years, my son, Rev. G. H. Leonard, has been 



166 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



our pastor; and I will yet add that Rev. Dr. 
Vogt, of Delaware, Ohio, and my son, are the 
only survivors of tlic eight Reformed pastors 
above mentioned.'" 

"This church building was used for over 
5 1 years when the congregation voted to build 
a new structure. At that time a church bell 
was quite a luxury, and but few churches had 
them; especially was this true in the country. 
The Trinity Reformed congregation sent 
Henry Leonard to Troy to purchase a bell. 
This bell is still in use and has become his- 
torical. The singing was then congregational, 
and such hymns as these were favorites, — 
'Am I a Soldier of the Cross?' 'When I Can 
Read My Title Clear,' 'Come Thou Fount of 
Every Blessing,' 'How Tedious and Tasteless 
the Hours.' " 

The present church was erected in 1899. 
The corner stone was laid on Sunday, July 
2, 1899, and the dedication of the new edifice 
took place December 10, 1899. Rev. Charles 
E. Miller, now president of Heidelberg Uni- 
versity, officiating. Since then the church has 
undergone some needed repairs and is in first 
class condition. In addition to the public 
preaching it supports a Bible school (Jesse 
Leonard, superintendent), and a Young Peo- 
ple's Christian Endeavor Society, all in flour- 
ishing condition. 

Rev. H. K. Zerbe was the first pastor of the 
Trinity Reformed congregation. His pastor- 
ate began in September, 1845, and was ended 
by his death, July 27, 1846, a period of about 
ten months. He is buried in the Basil ceme- 
tery. 

Rev. Jesse Schlosser became pastor in 1846, 
resigning in 1852. He preached for a time in 
the Presbyterian Church in Baltimore and 
then returned to his former home in Stark- 
County, Ohio. It was during his pastorate 
that the First Trinity Reformed Church was 



built. He was both an impressive and ef- 
fective speaker. He, in connection with Rev. 
Jacob Scholler (of the U. B. Church), con- 
ducted the funeral services of Joseph Alt, 
father of Frederic, Martin, Joseph, John, 
Elizabeth (wife of Andrew Wagner) and 
Margaret Alt. 

Rev. John Pence accepted a call in October, 
1852, and served as pastor until he resigned in 
1854. Beginning some time in January, 1855, 
J. H. Buser, pastor of Kinnikinik, took charge 
and served as supply for about nine months. 
It was while he was serving the congregation 
during a series of meetings, that one of the 
greatest religious revivals ever witnessed in 
Basil occurred. 

The next pastor was Rev. John Ruhl, of 
Defiance, Ohio, who accepted a call and be- 
came pastor in April, 1856. He resigned in 
September, 1858, but remained in Basil to 
practice medicine. 

Rev. John Vogt, of Arcanum, Ohio, the 
sixth pastor, was extended a call in May, i860, 
and served the congregation very acceptably 
until January, 1863, when he resigned to ac- 
cept a call to Delaware, Ohio. His congrega- 
tion regretted very much to give him up. 

Rev. Adam C. Kendig was tendered a call 
and became pastor of the congregation Feb- 
ruary 5, 1863. While not a fluent speaker, he 
was a man highly respected by all who knew 
him and of efficient ministerial worth. He 
died at the home of elder G. W. Tussing, Jan- 
uary 16, 1864. Funeral services were held in 
Basil Reformed Church, after which his re- 
mains were taken to West Alexandria, Ohio, 
for burial. 

Rev. G. H. Leonard, D. D., received and 
accepted a call as pastor January 15, 1865, and 
served the congregation until January i, 1894, 
a period of twenty-nine years; he was com- 
pelled to resign on account of poor health. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



167 



He was much loved and respected, not only 
by his own people, but by all who knew him. 
He served, perhaps, more funerals and wed- 
dings than any other minister ever in this 
community. Rev. Leonard died and is buried 
in Basil cemetery. See article on "Leonard 
looth anniversary." 

Rev. James Huffley, of Canal Winchester, 
served the congregation as supply from Jan- 
uary I, 1894, until June i, 1894, when Charles 
E. Stoner, of Massillon, Ohio, began the 
ninth regular pastorate. He resigned to ac- 
cept a call in Pennsylvania. He is the only 
minister now living "who served regularly in 
the Old Church. 

Rev. J. J. Gruber became pastor of the con- 
gregation after this and is still (1912) serving 
the congregation. Other ministers who were 
formerly members of Trinity Reformed con- 
gregation, of Basil, Ohio, — Rev. J. J. Escher, 
deceased, Rev. Sebastian C. Goss, Rev. Silas 
P. Mauger, Rev. Alpheus E. Baichley. Rev, 
William H. Tussing. 

Methodist Episcopal 

At a meeting held March 26, 1898, of those 
interested in building a Methodist Church in 
Basil, E. F. Holland was elected president, F. 
M. Paul secretary and Amos Smith, superin- 
tendent of erection. A lot was purchased of 
B. F. Harner for $150 and the work was com- 
menced early in April, 1898, and completed 
February, 26, 1899. This church has an audi- 
ence room, with a Sunday school room, with 
a seating capacity of four hundred, heated by 
a furnace, and lighted by gas. Dr. D. H. 
Moore, now Bishop, dedicated the church 
February 26, 1899. The first board of trus- 
tees were John ^Showers, Dr. O. P. Driver, 

E. E. Doughty, D. S. Cook, Amos Smith, Wil- 
liam Swarner, W. S. Hyde, E. F. Holland and 

F. M. Paul. The following preachers have 

11 



had charge: B. F. Jackson, two years; Hixon, 
one year; R. Stimmel, two years; L. W. Mil- 
ler, two years; N. C. Paterson, four years; 
G. N. Hughes, two years; J. P. Alford, now 
in charge. On April 2d W. S. Hyde died ; he 
was over eighty years of age, a fine man and 
one of the trustees and advisers of the new 
church. Thirty-four funerals have been held 
in the church in the fourteen years since it 
was built. Rev. Tom Hare, under B. F. Jack- 
son held the first revival. Only a few com- 
posed the first membership of the church. Af- 
ter this revival the church had a membership 
of seventy-eight. It now has one hundred and 
forty. 

Business Enterprises 

G. W. Kumler, sold to his son, Earl Kum- 
ler and Earl Sims, the first of February, 1912, 
dry goods. J. M. Bowling & Co., dry goods 
and hardware ; J. D. Brown, dry goods ; J. M. 
Weaver, hardware; A. L. Lauer. grocery, 
meat market and general store ; F. G. Basch, 
grocery, harness, and repair work; M. V. 
Mauger, furniture and undurlaking; Floyd 
Mauger, jeweler and repair work; George 
Potter, restaurant; L. O. Anderson, restau- 
rant; Shimp and Struckman, meat market; 
F. M. Paul, druggist; A. F. Poff, barber; C. 
C. Lauer, barber; John Torrence, barber; Dr. 
H. C. Ashton, physician; Dr. E. P. Sparks, 
physician; D. S. Cook, grain and lumber mer- 
chant ; Joseph Yencer, implements and bug- 
gies ; J. H. Raskins, greenhouse ; Mrs. Wm. 
Brandt, millinery; Mrs. J. F. Finkbone, mil- 
linery; Dr. J. C. Stover, dentist (just came) ; 
A. A. Miller (Colonial Badge Co.), printing; 
R. R. Carter, photographing; J. F. Finkbone, 
pump fi.xtures and general Inisiness ; J. W. 
Buchanan, postmoster (there are three routes 
out from this office), carriers — J. F. Dumond, 
Henry Roley and Verl Good. 



168 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Municipal Officers 

The municipal officers of Basil are J. F. 
Finkbone, Mayor; Joe Everhart, Condo 
Smith, William Leitnaker, Jay D. Brown, J. 

A. Lauer, Earl Kumler, councilmen; John 
Torrence, secretary or clerk ; Earl Sims, treas- 
urer; Dillon Fisher, marshal. 

A. T. Mason was a citizen of Basil for over 
thirty-five years, coming here to work in the 
dry goods store for Bosch Leonard. He was 
born in Reynoldsburg, O., and died at his home 
at Kansas City, Mo., August 19, 1896. He 
wrote for the Lancaster Gazette for over 
thirty years, weekly, under the title of "Jot- 
tings from Liberty." He was prominent in 
all public afifairs of Liberty Township; was 
proprietor of the first drug store in the town. 
He was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Kan- 
sas City. The matter he sent the Gazette, all 
told, contained 12 18 columns of eleven inches 
in length, making 13,398 inches, or 1,1 16>^ 
feet, or 372 1-3 yards, and would fill just 638 
columns of the Gazette. 

BASIL SCHOOLS 

The Basil schools were separated from the 
jurisdiction or Liberty Township in 1871, up 
to that time the district being known as Sub- 
district No. 9 in said township. It was then 
recognized as a graded school, consisting of 
two rooms or grades. G. W. Kumler was the 
first principal under the new management 
(1871), which position he held until 1875 
(four years), at which time he went into busi- 
ness and has thus continued ever since — a pe- 
riod of thirty-five years. 

In 1 88 1 the present school structure was 
built and Professor F. P. Schisler, with two 
assistants — one grammar and one primary 
teacher — had charge of the schools. Follow- 
ing him Rev. A. J. Wagner, Professors W. 

B. Henry, J. W. Stewart, J. H. Henry, Prof. 



J. J. Wagner, R. B. Bennett, G. M. Morris, 
Stanley Lawrence, A. F. Darby, D. J. F. Du- 
mond, E. J. Dilger and D. S. Lynn were at the 
head of the schools. The high school, or prin- 
cipal department, has been advanced until at 
the present time ( 1912) it is regarded as a first 
grade high school. The present corps of in- 
structors are as follows : E. E. Ray, superin- 
tendent; Miss Gussie Fleming, principal of 
high school ; Miss Adda Katzenbach, assistant 
( H. S. ) ; Miss Anna Klages, music ; Miss 
Ethel Grube, grammar; Miss Marcy Pofif, A. 
primary; Miss Francis Finks, B primary. 
Nine months school in the year are main- 
tained. 

Other teachers in the Basil schools at times 
have been C. M. Weisman, Paden, Jenkins, 
Rieniene, Solomon Weaver, Jacob Weaver, A. 
J. Weaver, Theophilus Stover, J. W. Bu- 
chanan, David Kumler, E. H. Leitnaker, E. 
Mayne, La\ina Bishop, Almeda Leitnaker and 
A. N. Leitnaker. 

The following account of the Basil schools 
is taken from the School Report of 1907. 

"The history of Basil schools dates back to 
1870. Up to that time the district was known 
as Sub-District No. 9 of Liberty township. 
Notice was given to the citizens of the district 
calling them together on the evening of the 
25th day of February, 1870, in the red brick 
schoolhouse. In due time the evening came 
and the citizens assembled according to pre- 
vious notice. Henry Leonard was called to 
the chair and A. T. Mason was chosen as sec- 
retary. After considerable friendly discussion 
it was decided that a committee be appointed 
to take a census in the district. This commit- 
tee reported a population of three hundred and 
eleven. 

"At a meeting held March 2, 1870, it was 
decided to submit the question of segregation 
to the vote of the people on the evening of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



169 



March 14, 1870, when it was unanimously de- 
cided to separate from Liberty township and 
form a special district. It continued as such 
until Basil became incorporated in the spring 
of 1906. With incorporation the district ad- 
vanced to a Village District. 

"The term Red Brick schoolhouse has been 
used. Let us consider what and where it was. 
When the district was cut ofif from the town- 
ship there were two buildings upon the pres- 
ent grounds ; one was a frame building painted 
white. This one faced the east and stood 
where the main part of the present structure 
stands. In this frame building the primary 
work of the schools was done. This building 
was moved down on Mayne street and is occu- 
pied as a dwelling by Mrs. Henry Smith. 

"The other building was a brick structure, 
known as the Red Brick. This building faced 
the west and stood on the ground where the 
east wing of the present building stands, at 
a distance of about twelve feet from the frame 
building. In 1881 the present building was 
erected. School was organized in the new 
building November 21, 1881, under the super- 
vision of F. B. Shisler. 

"The schools were directed by two teachers 
for about ten years. Mr. G. W. Kumler and 
Miss A. J. Leitnaker have the distinguished 
honor of being the first teachers in the Special 
District. In 1881 the third teacher was added 
and about 1894 the fourth. Later a special 
music teacher was employed. 

"A substantial advance has been made in 
the school work in the thirty-seven years of 
the special district. May as great an advance 
be made in efficiency and scholarship in time 
to come as in times past. 

"Patrons, let 'Onward' be our slogan ; 'Up- 
ward' our watchword, and 'Greater Efficiency 
and Better Scholarship' our motto." 



Superintendents and Principals 

G. W. Kumler, 187 1- 1875. 

D. C. Stover, 1875-1876. 
G. W. Mauk, 1 876- 1 877. 

James Buchanan, 1877- 1878 (41^ months). 
Theo. Stover, 1878- 1880. 
David Kumler, 1880-1881. 

F. P. Schisler, 1881-1882. 
A. J. Wagner, 1882- 1884. 
W. B. Henry, 1884-1886. 
J. M. Steward, 1886- 1887. 
J. H. Henry, 1887- 1888. 
J. J. Wagner, 1888- 1889. 
R. B. Bennet, 1889-1892. 

G. M. Morris, 1892-1897. 
Stanley Lawrence, 1897- 1902. 
A. F. Darby, 1902-1903. 

J. F. Dumond, 1903-1905. 

E. C. Dilger, 1905-06. 

D. S. Lynn, 1906. 

E. E. Ray, 1906 . 

Teachers 
1908-09 

D. S. Lynn, superintendent. 
Sarah Swayney, principal. 
Alf Blizzard, grammar. 
Katie Jordan, intermediate. 
Mae Johnson, primary. 

1909-10 

E. E. Ray, superintendent. 
Alf Blizzard, principal. 

Gussie Fleming, assistant principal and 
grammar department. 

Marcia Roff, intermediate. 
Edna Johnson, primary. 
Anna Klages, music. 

Note — Increased laboratory facilities added. 
Visited by school commission. Made first 
grade February 12, 1910. Course of study 
strengthened. 



170 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1910-11 

E. E. Ray, superintendent. 

Gussie Fleming, principal. 

Addie Katzenbach, assistant principal. 

Ethel Grube, grammar. 

Marcia Poff, intermediate. 

Anna Klages, music. 

Note — Increased laboratory facilities for 
the teaching of chemistry and agriculture. In- 
crease of library. Addition of third room 
of high school. Introduction of industrial 
nature work in the grades. Required sup- 
plementary reading in the grades. Visited 
by Ohio State University inspector and placed 
upon recognized list of high schools. 

1911-12 

E. E. Ray, superintendent. 
Addie Katzenbach, principal. 
Grace Cochran, assistant principal. 
Howard Dumond, grammar. 
Marcia Poff, intermediate. 
Marie Huntwork, primary. 
Anna Klages, music. 

Note — At present, sentiment is being de- 
veloped to unite the high schools of Basil and 
Baltimore in a joint school and possibly the 
township schools also. The effort to unite 
the high schools of these two thriving villages 
was defeated last year, but the desire for 
better equipment and better schools may yet 
bring about this much needed union. Here 
as elsewhere, the old maxim: "In union there 
is strength" will apply. 

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, BASIL HIGH SCHOOL 

The Alumni Association was organized in 
April, 1907. Officers — Lois Messerly, presi- 
dent; Mrs. C. C. Leitnaker, vice president; 
Edith Weaver, secretary. 

Class of 1890 
Gertrude Giesy, Basil. 



Gertrude Buchanan, Basil. 
Mrs. Grace Trout, Lancaster. 

Class of 1892 

Sarah Sims (Mrs. Chas. Court), Basil. 
Mrs. George McCutcheon, Flint, Mich. 
Chas. Doomy, Newark. 
A. A. Miller, Basil. 

Class of 1900 

Edna Goss (Mrs. Elmer Flick), Columbus. 

Olive Mauger (Mrs. C. C. Leitnaker), Ba- 
sil. 

Blanche Carter (Mrs. Chas. Struckman), 
Columbus. 

Charles Fenstermaker, Pineville, La. 

Class of 1901 

Homer Kistler, Columbus. 

R. Brooke Leitnaker, Cheyenne, Wyo. 

Class of 1903 

Edith Buchanan, teacher, Osborn. 

Lois Messerly, Basil. 

Mabelle Leitnaker, Basil. 

Etta Litten (Mrs. Etta Mason) Basil. 

J. A. Burger, Basil. 

E. F. Grube, Basil. 

Laurel Clouse, Mt. Sterling. 

Class of 1904 

Grace Smith, Basil. 
Gertrude Miller, Basil. 
Edith Weaver, Basil. 

Class of 1905 

Edna Johnson, teacher, Basil. 

Mary Orr, Circleville. 

Fannie Laver, Basil. 

J. W. Buchanan, teacher, Basil. 

Josie Burger (Mrs. Josie Rider), Lancaster. 

Agnes Grube, teacher, Basil. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



171 



Class of 1906 

Edna Roley, teacher, Basil. 
Frances Finks, teacher, Basil. 
Ralph Finks, Columbus. 
Peter F. Sriner, Basil. 
Ray D. Roley, Basil. 

Class of 1907 

Gladys Johnson, teacher, Basil. 
Vera Snider, Basil. 
Hazel Rutherford, Basil. 
Flora Dumond, Basil. 
Geo. D. Sriner, Basil. 

Class of 1908 

Vinnie Gessel, Vera Good, Earl Luke, 
Clyde Brown, Hauer Bryson. 
No Class 1909 

Class of 1910 

Howard Dumond, Thurman Leonard, Chel- 
sea Berger, Enolda Grube, Faun Bader. 

Class of 191 1 

Anna Gilmer, Beulah Mauger, Eva Paugh, 
Carol Cootz, Roy Schaffner. 

Class of 1912 

Leona Miller, Ethel Myers, Roy Miller, 
Harry Outcault, Dwight Dumond. 

The Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen 
and the Red Men are the only lodges here, ex- 
cept the Grange. 

The Knights of Pythias Lodge was insti- 
tuted in 1877 and has a present membership 
of fifty. The present officers are : Chancelor 
Commander, John Gilmore ; Vice Chancelor, 
John Hasser ; Master of Finance, Ed. Outcalt ; 
Keeper of Records and Seal, Samuel Miller; 
Prelate, Newton Fitzer ; Master of Ex- 
chequer, J. L. Messerly. Trustees — W. C. 
Smith, J. C. Grube and J. W. Chapman. 

The Red Men's lodge was instituted in 1902 



and has a membership of twenty-five. Pres- 
ent officers — Sachem, E. J. Robinson; Sr. 
Sachem, William Berchin; Jr. Sachem, Wil- 
liam Knepper. Trustees — F. G. Orr, H. M. 
Paskins and J. W. Chapman. 

The lodge of Modern Woodmen has a mem- 
bership of thirty-five. 

There is e. Grange here, with nearly all the 
prominent young farmers in it, such as James 
Goss, Henry Detvviller, Frank Mason, David 
Landis, Samuel Snider and others, who are 
helping to make farm life more attractive in 
Liberty Township. 

Basil has no G. A. R. post. There are 
twenty old soldiers of the Civil War residing 
here, however, most of whom are members of 
Col. Val Cupp Post, Baltimore. 

A Rare Old Document 
In possession of Geo. W. Kumler, of Basil. 

James Monroe, President of the United States 

of America. 

To all to whom these presents shall come. 
Greeting — 

Know Ye that Henry Kumler, assignee of 
David Camaron, having deposited in the 
Treasury a Certificate of the Register of the 
Land office of Chillicothe, whereby a Patent 
is issued to said Henry Kumler, his heirs and 
assigns forever. For the South East quarter 
of Section Number Thirteen of Township 
Number Sixteen. 

Given under my Hand at the City of Wash- 
ington, the twenty-fourth day of April, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and nine and of the Independence of the 
United States of America the thirty-third. 
By the President — James Madison. 
T. Smith, Secretary of State. 

Note — The above is written and printed 
on fine parchment paper ( capitals and spelling 
just as they are on the parchment paper). 



m 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



My father said at the time above deed was 
made to my grandfather, there were not over 
a dozen houses (log cabins) on the blazed 
road from Lancaster to Granville. I have not 
heard of any older deed in the community; 
however, there may be older ones. The 
legitimate patent is just like the above, only 
dated three years later. 

G. W. KUMLER. 

■-n J 1 ij. (I lij . 

i^mx-.l ZR rbi.john Jacob Wagner 
btvjsCI ,no2Bl/: ^!i:.'n 

John Jacob Wagner, son of Andrew and 
Elizabeth (Alt) Wagner, was born near Bal- 
timore in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, 
Ohio, October 23, 1840. He was the oldest 
of a family of thirteen children, his father 
having been twice married. Ten of these chil- 
dren, six sons and four daughters are still 
living. His grandparents, Andrew Wagner, 
Sr., and Joseph Alt, Sr., emigrated from 
Switzerland to America itiore than one hun- 
dred years, ago. And];'ew, \V|agner, Sr., settled 
in Walnut Township and Joseph Alt, Sr., in 
Liberty Townsljip,, Fairfield County, Ohio. 

When he was about two years old he was 
stricken by paralysis in his right lower limb, 
an ailment from which he not only never re- 
covered, but which necessitated his learning to 
w,alk as a child a second time. On account of 
this affliction his early education was greatly 
retarded. About 1850 he in compai^y wi,th his 
pext oldest brother, Isaiah, cpmmetiog^ to a,t- 
tend the home district school, Jacob C. Weaver 
a^, teacher., , ,,, ^,,,;,|i ,;, ;,;„,;, ;, 

The tejct books, then in, usci, were "ilhe Ele- 
mentary Spelling Book," McGuffey's Readers, 
Ray's Arithmetics, Pinneo's Grammars and 
Mitchel's Geography and Atlas of the Wprld, 
In the winter of 1857 his mother died, and 
the follpwing spring found him as teacher, in 
his home school, at a compensation of four- 
teen dollars and twenty-five cents ($14.25^ 
pipr mont^i; tinje, three jnonths of tw^nty-foyj^ 



days, each, school to commence at eight o'clock 
in the morning and close at four o'clock in 
the evening, allowing the customary inter- 
missions. Boarding around in the district had 
been discontinued for several years prior to 
this time. He early decided on teaching as his 
life's mission, and for at least half of a cen- 
tury, in connection with his attendance at 
schools for more complete equipment, he was 
engaged in school work most of which was in 
Fairfield County, Ohio. 

In his native county he taught in some of 
the common or district schools in both Wal- 
nut and Liberty Townships and as principal 
and superintendent in the schools of Balti- 
more, O., Lithopolis, O., Thurston, O., and 
Basil, O. He also taught in Fairfield Union 
Academy at Pleasantville, O., and later at 
Ostrander. O. He entered Otterbein Univer- 
sity as a student in 1859. In i860, Fairfield 
Union Academy, under the excellent manage- 
ment of Prof. George Fleming, a man of ripe 
scholarship and a graduate from one of our 
eastern colleges, became a prominent educa- 
tional factor in Central Ohio. Here there was 
a rare opportunity for intellectul culture, near 
his own home, and for more than two years 
it was studiously improved by him. Later he 
attended for a short time the Southwestern 
Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. Lastly 
bje (reentered Otterbein University and gradu- 
ated therefrom June the nth, 1867. Otter- 
bein conferred the degree A. M. on him later 
in years. He has all his life been a close stu- 
dent and his library contains many gems of 
richest value. 

Religiously he has been a member of the 
United Brethren Church for a number of 
years. He still delights much in Sabbath 
School work and the Bible is to him the 
noblest guidance that man can adopt. 
LoBp'itically he, , has always been a democrat 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



173 



of the firmest and truest type, and ever deemed 
it a pleasure to serve his party when needed. 
He served ten years as school examiner in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, and five years as clerk 
of Liberty Township in the same county. 
He was also for several terms a member of 
the Board of Education of the Public Schools 
of Basil, Ohio. 

He was married to Miss Esther A. Smith of 
Delaware County, Ohio, March 31, 1868. She 
is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are the 
parents of one child — a daughter — now Mrs. 
Lillie Berry of Marion, O. 

The Leonard Family 

The following interesting article was pre- 
pared and read by Thurman Leonard at the 
centennial celebration'of.^tha! settlement of 
Boston Leonard in the Statt of Ohio. This 
anniversary was celebrated at the home of 
Thomas E. Leonard tiear Basil. 'This farm 
has been in the; Leonard name from the 15th 
day of April, I Si I, when the first deed was 
made to Boston Leonard ^ by the President* 
Jamds vMadiaenLlBianurroi alMil rbiw aBw Ji ZR 
-)]|''Daniel Leonard, the ancestor of tlie Leon- 
ard family, was bom in a small village near 
Basil,! Switzerland, during the year of 1757. 
He eraigratedi'tOiAqjeficEliniiiSog. ; The voy- 
age occupied si.xteen weeks. He was a wid- 
ower with three children, one son and two 
daughtersj) As (Danielii was already fifty-two 
years he did not care to farm, but to continue 
his trade as a stone mason. They remained at 
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, two years, where his 
Son Boston (which is the Gentian word f<ir 
Sebastian) attended school. A German school 
book treating on mathematics is still in our 
possession. During the year 1811 they moved 
to Ohio on ;a tract.bf illndiwihich Boston pur«- 
chased from the government. The deed show^ 
the ^signature of the President, James Madi- 



son, and the Secretary, James Monroe. In 
the same year Boston was married to Barbara 
Goss, with whom he became acquainted on 
his voyage to America. Thus it is that we are 
celebrating the centennial of the settlement 
of our ancestors in the State of Ohio^.s// aioli 

He lived in a log house from the year 181 1 
to 1818. In this log house iHenryi. John and 
Sebastian were born. -.( ■,:,'! -;.:// ["■'i.-: i-il 

It was about this time that the town of Basil 
was laid out and the settlers were equally di- 
vided as to the name of the; village— ^Geneva 
or Basil — and they leftJt for Boston. Leonard 
to decide. , 001$ n3>tBiDDfiM .'4 hii 

During the years iSiS and 1819, Bostoii 
built a large bri(;k house of eight rooms upon 
his farm.. ;i Hedroadei (all the. brinks; . for this 
house and built it after his own taste. Along 
the east andpart of the south side of the house 
tliere was a brick pavement about eight feet 
wide. There wps .onlyi one otitside doot to the 
house.. This was the first brick house in the 
county and people would travel miles to see 
(t.: The bricks ivoip this building were ;used in 
constructing 1 the i 1 foundations and chimneys 
of the present house. Even the well waS 
walled with tliese bricks^. and .some... o£ tjie 
walks wiere.ilaidiilAiith tbeiiiir, bnK aioi?, jlohci 

Boston, witli his father Daniel, helped build 
the first brick house in Lancaster, Ohio. 

On Feb. 21, 1823, Daniel Leonard diedj 
aged sixty-six years. His remains were laid 
in St. Michaels cemetery three and one-half 
miles northwest of Basil. The monument was 
carved from sandstone, and is still in a good 
state of preservation. The following epitaph 
is inscribed thereon ;i b-j-^r.^iio ^hjiUB jll 

Remember frient!^ 'fe ^SU'^P^'^S" %?''^'' ' 

As you are now, so once was T; ' 

10 .^As III am now, so you must be,; j^irw io<\ 

, Prepare for df ath and j i,oll93V( ,"?§• Isup-j 

Heniy Leonard ' was^' bbrti"*i ^ iSv^ph Ttii 



174 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



same year his father was drafted in the war. 
He began his mercantile career on the six- 
teenth day of April, 1828, in the town of Basil 
when only sixteen years old. This was the 
first store in Basil, Ohio. This old log cabin 
store was built by Jacob Goss in the year 1809. 
Jacob Goss was also a native of Switzerland, 
and laid out the town of Basil, and this old 
log cabin was his first dwelling-place in Amer- 
ica. 

Henry's first purchase was made on the fif- 
teenth day of April, 1828, when he and his 
father went to Lancaster and bought of Sam- 
uel F. Maccraken $100 worth of dry goods 
including a few groceries. The sales of the 
first year, all told, were only $500. One year 
afterwards Henry's father built a new hewed 
log house, and here Henry kept store seven 
years. In the year 1836, while Jacob Springy 
was engaged in tearing down the old log 
cabin, Henry had a sketch of the cabin taken. 
This old building was on exhibition at the 
Centennial at Columbus, Ohio, being repre- 
sented by an oil painting 24x28 inches, which 
was afterwards placed in the library room at 
Heildelberg College. At the same time the 
log cabin was being torn away, he built the 
brick store and also a dwelling-house under 
the same roof. When this home was com- 
pleted he married Anne Kerns. Here he lived 
until 1844, when he built a large brick house 
where he made his home for the remainder 
of his life. Henry conducted a store until the 
death of his wife in 1856, when he began his 
agency on January 22, 1857, for Heidelberg 
College, at Tiffin, Ohio. 

He actively engaged in the duties of this 
office about thirty years, during which time 
he traveled by rail, on horseback, stage, lum- 
ber wagon and on foot over 100,000 miles, or 
equal to over four times the distance around 
the globe. Henry Leonard (who at this time 



was known as "The Fisherman") was the 
author of a book entitled "The Fisherman's 
Allegories." The Allegories were originally 
published in the "Western Missionary" during 
1858 and 1859. The book, although not writ- 
ten by one who had enjoyed the advantage of 
a college training, is not for this reason devoid 
of interest or merit, for no one can, in fact, 
read it without seeing that the author had 
been a close observer of men and things and 
while he was deficient in book knowledge he 
was intimately acquainted with human nature, 
and tells things as they are in practical, every- 
day life. The style of the book is plain, fa- 
miliar, humorous, quaint and homespun. 

Henry spent a useful and prosperous life. 
For twenty-eight years he was engaged in the 
mercantile business, and the last thirty years 
he was financial agent of Heidelberg. As 
financial agent he was actuated by no selfish 
or ambitious motives; his only desire was to 
do good, and if possible benefit Heidelberg 
College in whose interests he had spent 
the best energies of his life, long and useful 
as it was with little remuneration. The latter 
period of his life was one of joy and consola- 
tion, dotted with many thrilling stories as a 
fisherman of money. In 1888 he was stricken 
with paralysis and during the next year died 
from the effects thereof. 

John Leonard was born on October 3, 1814. 
After acquiring an education as the schools 
of his youth afforded, he engaged with his 
brothers in the grocery business in Basil. 
During 1839 he was married to Miss Hannah 
Reese. In 1857 he purchased a farm of 178 
acres on which he lived the remainder of his 
life. During 1870 he purchased a farm from 
Henry Harner which consisted of sixty acres 
now owned by John Emch and G. W. Kum- 
ler, together with ninety-five acres at present 
owned by his son, Jesse Leonard. John Leon- 



/ 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



175 



ard also owned his father's farm. These four 
farms contained four hundred and thirty 
acres. He was very successful as a farmer, 
and a very active man in church work, willing 
to help the poor in every way he could. 

Sebastian Leonard, who was commonly 
known as "Bosh," was a son of "Boston" and 
a brother of John, (who was my father). 
Henry and Barljara Musser, familiarly 
known as "Aunt Barbara." 

Where my son mentions Sebastian, Jr., he 
has reference to the one known as "Bosh" 
and the senior was the one known as "Bos- 
ton" which is the German name for 
Sebastian. 

Sebastian Leonard, Jr., was born in 1816. 
He actively engaged in the mercantile business 
his entire life. He w^as very charitable to the 
poor, loved and esteemed by all. He made 
his home with his sister, Barbara. 

Barbara Musser, the only daughter of Bos- 
ton and Barbara Leonard, was born in the 
brick house during the year 1826. She was 
married to William Musser in 1854. They 
were the parents of two children : William and 
Emma, both of whom died in infancy. By her 
relatives as well as her friends she was known 
as Aunt Barbara. She lived a very quiet life 
and at the same time she lived a life that will 
be remembered and cherished by her many 
friends. She died May 12, 1902. 

Rev. George H. Leonard was born in the 
town of Basil, September 20, 1837, the eldest 
son of Henry and Anna Leonard. George 
received a liberal education, entering Heidel- 
berg College in 1855, and graduating from 
the literary department of the institution in 
1859, subsequently entering the theological 
seminary connected with the same college. He 
was ordained to the ministry September 15, 
1861, at Danville, Ohio, serving the Highland 
charge near Hillsboro, three and one-half 



years. In January, 1863, he was placed in 
charge of the church at B^sil where he was 
pastor until 1893, when he retired from active 
ministry. He died in August, 1909." 



The township officers of Liberty Township 
are: Trustees — T. G. Bright, president, Mar- 
tin S. Sims and Samuel F. Snider ; clerk — 
William L. Macklin; treasurer — Benjamin I. 
Roshon ; justices of the peace — John V. Tuss- 
ing and James W. Buchanan. The members 
of the Board of Education of tlie township 
are : Levi H. Fritz, president ; Lewis W. Foltz, 
vice president; George W. Giesy, D. S. Miller 
and Charles Wilkens. The assessors are as 
follows : Baltimore Precinct — Chalmer L. 
Wooster; Basil Precinct — Jacob S. Eversole; 
constable — George Rader. 

List of churches of Liberty Township, out- 
side of the villages : 

1. Trinity Reformed. German Reformed 
denomination, situated in northwestern part 
of the township. 

2. St. Michaels. German Reformed de- 
nomination, situated near center of township 
(geographically). 

3. Fletcher Chapel. M. E. denomination, 
situated in northeastern part of township on 
Black Lick Road. 

4. New Zion, New Evangelical. Situated 
one mile north of center of township on Sni- 
der Road. 

5. Zion, Evangelical association, situated 
opposite to New Zion Church. 

6. Mt. Carmel, United Brethren associa- 
tion, situated in southwestern part of town- 
ship on Winchester pike. 

The tax duplicate for Liberty Township for 
the year 19 12 follows: 



176 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Township valuation $3,791,570 in this township in an early day; there was 

Basil corporation 420,450 one in almost every section. There were also 

Baltimore 418.130 several powder mills in this locality — one built 

by Sebastian Carpenter, another by Jacob Bix- 

Entire township, grand total ....$4,630,150 ler. They manufactured a very good quality 

The mayor of Basil corporation is John F. «*" "^^^ P^^^^^""- ^he charcoal was made of 

Finkbone sumac wood ; the saltpeter was obtained in 

quantities under the rocks in the hills, but the 

MADISON TOW NSHIP sulphur was brought from the east. A large 

Madison Township in the southern tier of mortar was filled with these ingredients and 

Fairfield County is bounded on the north by mixed by pestles run by water power. The 

Hocking Township, on the east by Berne powder was grained by taking a quantity on 

Township and Hocking County, on the west a board and combing it down with an ordinary 

by Clear Creek Township, and on the south brush. A little water would be sprinkled on 

by Hocking Countv. It consists of 30 sec- the mass occasionally to prevent the friction 

tions, six from east to west and five from from igniting it. It was dried in ovens, under 

north to south. which hot air \\ as made to pass. 

The first families in the township were the Throughout the township there were shops. 
ShaefTer family, Martin Landis and Abram carding-machines. spinning-bowl factories 
Ream, who came in 1798 and landed at Hunt- and sickle factories. Mr. Akers had a sickle 
er's Crossing a few weeks after Hocking H. factory at Defenbaugh Mill as early as 1824. 
Hunter's father arrived. They came to look On Kuntz's Run, a stream that empties into 
o\er the ground and soon returned home, but Clear Creek at this mill, a little above the wolf 
later in the year they came to remain. Isaac den. where the water poured over a rock, Mr. 
Shaeffer settled near the Defenbaugh mill. Graham had a spinning-bowl shop. The lathe 
which he built in 1804. Tliese three families was turned by water and the stream was 
entered large tracts of land and industriously strong enough to turn it constantly. He 
improved it, building mills, shops, school- would, however, turn out a wagon-load and 
houses and churches. Each of these three then peddle his product. This hollow, from 
first settlers built mills. The most noted was this circumstance, was called Spinning Bowl 
the Shaeffer, afterwards known as the Defen- Hollow. In this same neighborhood was a 
baugh mill. It was built in 1804; in 1S07 it woolen mill. So in an early day Madison 
was sold to Adam Defenbaugh, who kept it Township carried on considerable manufac- 
twenty j-ears. It was afterward owned by turing. The names of Emanuel Carpenter, 
Boden. Crooks, Stonebumer, Dr. George \'alentine and William Wolfe, the Martins, 
Boerstler of Lancaster and his brother Daniel, Hedges. Macks, Abbots, Van Weys and Tooles 
Joseph Dunn, Daniel Defenbaugh, Samuel were familiar names among 1 the ,c4der rest- 
Campbell and Isaac Marshall. Isaac Marshall dents'!"'^'"'j ^f!' v.ntijMj vllnjupminv .CrHi 
tore it down in 1873: i»stHbeiow ,this«:i4t ^^ .933000 omE- rhiiches"^^^""^^ viEnims^ 
Written Rock, was the old Ring and Rice Mill. "J- -■ 'f^J.!;.? nj-f::,.; .'.; ■,? IwniEhio ?kv/ 
Augustus Boden had a distillery at Defen- tltere afe flbw'B^e ■rfiiirctfe'In^H^ tb'vAi- 
baugh Mill. Still houses were very numerous ship and eight schoolhouses. In 1826 St, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



177 



John's Lutheran Church was erected. Rev. 
Steck and John Wagenhall were the first two 
ministers. In 1877 the building was torn 
down and a new church built in Hocking 
township. 

The second church was built by the Meth- 
odists in 1834 and a new building erected in 
1844. It is called Hopewell, and Leonard 
Mitchell is the pastor. 

The German Reformed Church was built 
m 1842 and is called Mt. Carmel. 

Mt. Zion is a United Brethren Church in 
the southwest part of the county. 

The Lutherans built a church in the north- 
east part of the township in 1852. 

Pine Grove Church was built in 1858 by the 
United Brethren. 

There are no large villages in this township, 
as neither railroads nor traction roads traverse 
it. Clearport in the north, Revenge in the cen- 
tral portion, and Drinkle in the southwestern 
part are the only villages in the township. 

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP 

Pleasant is north of Berne and very nearly 
in the center of the county. It was named be- 
cause of the large amount of fertile land 
within its borders. 

Pleasant Township was settled as early as 
1798, and probably the first settler was Wil- 
liam Green. He died in 1799. As there was 
no possibility of getting a coffin, one was im- 
provised by peeling the bark from a hickory 
tree (it being the month of May when the sap 
was up) and this hardy pioneer was buried in 
this pleasant township, among the fair fields 
he had hoped to claim. 

The Ewings were among the first to settle in 
Pleasant Township. David, Thomas and 
Matthew Ewing located lands near the stream 
now known as Ewings Run in 1800. They 
were a prominent family. George Arnold 



came from Pennsylvania in 180 1. He built 
the first gristmill in Pleasant Township on 
Fetters Run. Up to this time the settlers were 
obliged to go to Zanesville and Chilicothe for 
their meal and flour. 

Abraliam Bope came from Virginia in 1803 
and settled in the northeast part of the town- 
ship. Among the early settlers we find the 
following names : Hoover, Ashbrook, Trim- 
ble, Berry, Harmon, Hite, Hampson, Cupp, 
Rufifner, Keller, Ewing, Duncan, Freeman, 
Foglesong, Radebaugh, Macklin, Arnold, 
Kemerer, Baldwin, Shisler, McNaughton. 

The following are living in Pleasant Town- 
ship now (1912) and it will be noted that rep- 
resentatives of the first settlers are still occu- 
pying that "Pleasant" Township: — Robert 
Rutter, Charles Freed, Alva Freed, Taylor 
Huber, Clint Pence, Charles E. Lamb, J. W. 
Friend, Charles Watson, Jacob Barr, Fred 
Rufner, Frank Eyman, N. N. Shisler, Ben 
Paye, Alonzo Miller, James Irick, Thomas 
Irick, Levi Hampson, Jim Hampson, Jacob 
Kraner and Dr. Lerch. 

The first road in Pleasant Township was 
one from \\'heeling to Maysville, known as 
Zane's Trace. It crossed the southern part of 
the township. About 1838 it was changed to 
a turnpike and was known as the Zanesville 
and Maysville Turnpike. Another pike now 
crosses the township, passing from Lancaster 
through Pleasant Township, north through 
New Salem, and known as the Salem Pike. 

The Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad 
crosses the extreme northeast corner of the 
township, with Pleasantville as the station. 

A. A. Graham says, "The religious inter- 
ests of Pleasant Township have been well 
provided for. The Pleasant Run Baptist 
Church was probably the first regiilar church 
organization in the county, having been or- 
ganized as early as 1806. In 1809 this was 



178 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



one of the foremost country Baptist churches 
in Ohio. 

"The Pleasant United Presbyterian Church 
was organized in 1807 and was located in the 
southwest corner of the township. 

"The German Reformed Church of Pleas- 
ant Township was organized about 1847 as a 
German Reformed Church; in 1853 the mem- 
bership petitioned to be changed to a Presby- 
terian Church. It remained a Presbyterian 
Church till 1878, when it again became a Ger- 
man Reformed Church." There are now 
eight churches outside of Pleasantville. 

COUNTY INFIRMARY 

The County Infirmary is located in Pleas- 
ant Township, about two miles north of Lan- 
caster. "About 1827 the necessity for a 
county infirmary was felt. Previous to that 
time such persons as became county charges 
were cared for in their respective townships 
by officers called 'Overseers of the Poor,' who 
let out the contract for the keeping of each 
pauper to the lowest bidder, such contract 
running one year. The conditions were that 
the mendicant should receive adequate food, 
comfortable clothing, and competent medical 
attendance. In 1827 it was realized that this 
plan might not care for the paupers properly 
and it was decided to build an infirmary," 
The infirmary farm consists of 170 acres of 
land and it furnishes a considerable part of 
the support of the inmates. The first build- 
ings were of frame, but in 1840 they were sup- 
planted by a brick building. 

PLEASANTVILLE 

Pleasantville is a flourishing village situ- 
ated on the Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad, 
lying partly in Pleasant and partly in Walnut 
Township. It was laid out in 1828 by John 
Boston, who built the first house or residence 



in the village. The population, as given by 
the census of 19 10 is about six hundred. But 
since the village lies in a rich farming country, 
it has a flourishing" gristmill, one newspaper, a 
planing-mill, one hotel, a drug store, a canning 
factory, two hardware stores, a furniture 
store, one bakery, a glass factory, a butcher 
shop, two garages, two barber shops, six gro- 
ceries and general stores, besides a live huck- 
ster, who runs several wagons. 

There are three churches within the town : 
the Methodist Episcopal, the Methodist Prot- 
estant, and the Lutheran. Besides these, sev- 
eral churches lying near town have a follow- 
ing in the neighborhood. The lodges are well 
represented and are very strong. They are 
the Masonic and Eastern Star, the Odd Fel- 
lows and Daughters of Rebecca, the Knights 
of Pythias and the Rathbone Sisters. The 
Patrons of Husbandry also have their hall in 
the town. 

Schools 

From the earliest times Pleasantville has 
been known for her interest in public educa- 
tion. Founded in 1828, the church and school 
have risen together. The first building erected 
for school purposes was a log structure situ- 
ated east of town on the farm now owned by 
Elam Baker. School was next held in a build- 
ing a little southwest of town on the James 
Hampson farm. This site was soon changed 
for a knoll inside the corporate limits. Part 
of the building is still standing and it is used 
as a dwelling house by Bert Hoon. Years 
afterward another building was placed on the 
present school ground, on that part of the lot 
now used as a ball ground. But it was soon 
outgrown and the present fine brick structure 
was built in 1900. 

On account of its proximity to the Fair- 
field Union Academy, no high school was or- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



179 



ganized until the fall of 1904, when Prof. B. 
T. Jinkins was placed at the head of the 
schools. He remained three years, after 
which he retired from the profession on ac- 
count of ill health. He was follow'ed by Su- 
perintendent E. L. Porter, now of West Jef- 
ferson, Ohio, who remained one year. The 
present incumbent is Superintendent J. M. 
Gordon. 

The school now enrolls over 200 pupils, 60 
of whom are in the high school. This high 
school is of first grade rank and it is recog- 
nized by the Ohio State University. The 
present board of education consists of E. L. 
Troup, president; D. E. Sites, secretary; M. 
Corbitt, James Hampson and F. D. Phipps. 
The high school, in the short time it has been 
organized, has graduated six classes contain- 
ing a total of 57 pupils. 

The teachers in the schools of Pleasant- 
ville are : Superintendent, J. M. Gordon ; prin- 
cipal, L. A. Webb; assistant, F. L. Schisler; 
Eva Pullar, Maude Hamilton, Rhea Hempy 
and Anna Miller. 

A history of Fairfield Union Academy once 
a famous institution may be found in Chap- 
ter XIV. 

There are two ministers preaching in Pleas- 
antville: Rev. W. Howard McDaniel, Meth- 
odist Episcopal, who resides at Rushville, 
Ohio; and Rev. C. P. Allar, Methodist Prot- 
estant, Pleasantville, O. 

The "Times" is the only newspaper. It is 
edited by I. H. De Rolph. 

There is one bank located here called "The 
Pleasantville Bank." It is capitalized at $25,- 
000. It is a state bank having the following 
officers : President. Arthur Kinsel ; vice presi- 
dent. Dr. A. V. Lerch ; cashier, E. C. Sawyer ; 
assistant cashier, Stanley M. Patterson. 

The name of the postmaster is Frank D. 
Phipps. 



The physicians located here are: Dr. A. V. 
Lerch, graduated March 3, 1892, at Starling 
Medical College, Columbus, Ohio; and Dr. 
W. E. Baker, graduated March 21. 1895, at 
Starling Medical College. Dr. Lerch located 
in Pleasantville in March, 1892, and Dr. 
Baker in 1895. See Chapter XII. 

Lodges 

Knights of Pythias— C. C, John Friend; 
V. C. C, F. W. Bowman; Prelate, Trafford 
Bretz; M. of W., J. G. Bond; M. of A., J. M. 
Outcault; I. G., Elmer Miller; O. G., Dudley 
Friend; K. of R. S., F. P. Schisler; M. of E., 
J. L. Brooke; and M. of F., S. M. Patterson. 

The officers of the Masonic Lodge are: W. 
M., H. I. Turner; S. W., F. W. Wheeler; 
J. W., C. O. Tschopp; Treas., J. W. Stewart. 
Sec, F. A. Hampson; S. D., A. P. Lang; 
J. D., Eldridge Rowles : Tyler, James Biggs. 

Officers of the Odd Fellows are : N. G., Ar- 
thur Myers; V. G., Sherman Knode; Rec. 
Sec, Henry Stephens; Fin. Sec, B. E. Hoon; 
Treas., O. O. Sperry. 

Pleasant Grange, No. 1615: M., A. E. Mil- 
ler; Overseer, I. C. Spitler; Lecturer, Viola 
Reinchild; Steward, Roy Shide; Assistant 
Steward, Rolla Hite; Chaplain, Clara Deffen- 
baugh; Treas., J. W. Friend; Sec, C. L. 
Bright; gate-keeper, Byron Hite; Pomona, 
Mabel RufTner; Ceres, Mabel Bright; Flora, 
Helen Hampson ; Lady Assistant, Carrie 
Dauterman ; Organist, Blanclie Friend. 

The officers of the Pythian Sisters, Gwen- 
dolyn Temple, No. 183: P. C, Ethel Wheeler; 
M. E. C, Gertrude De Rolph; E. S., Alice 
Hiles; E. J., Flo Deffenbaugh; Manager, Gae 
Buchanan: M. of R. S., Lizzie Schisler; M. 
of F., Louella Bimnell ; Prot.. Nema Patter- 
son : guard, Zulla Dilley. 

The officers of the Eastern Star: W. M., 
Lillie Baker; W. P., James Irick; A. M., Sadie 



180 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Keller; Treas., Frances Hempy; Sec, Clara 
Deffenbaugh; Con., Qrpha Best; A. C, Bessie 
Sprague; warden, Margaret Buchanan; Ada, 
Anna Kraner; Ruth, Lottie Curtis; Esther, 
Martha Thomas; Martha, Effie Hempy; Elec- 
tra, Margaret Thomas; Chaplain, Catherine 
Martin; Organist, Honor L. Embrey; Stew- 
ards, Alice Stewart and Margaret McNaugh- 
ten; sentinel, Martin McCleery. 

The officers of the Daughters of Rebecca 
are: N. G., Mrs. John Wirts; V. G., Mrs. 
Frank Foster; Sec, Mrs. Daisy Rowles; Fin. 
Sec, Mrs. Lillie Hancue ; treasurer, Mrs. 
Peter Daubenmire ; chaplain, Mrs. Lillie My- 
ers. 

The business firms of Pleasantville are as 
follows: The Henry Co. (Robt. & T. H.), 
Corbett & Friend (M. C. & A. W.), Thomas 
Bros. (I. A. & A. O.), general merchandise; 
Wildemuth & Kellar (M. W. & J. A. K.) 
and J. H. Welker & Sons (J. H., C. H. & 
G. C), hardware and farm implements; The 
Pleasantville Bakery (W. W. Forsythe, 
Prop.), The Pleasantville Lumber Co. (A. E. 
& R. T. McNaughten), The Pleasantville Mill- 
ing Co. (E. L. Troup, Wm. & Geo. North), 
J. L. Brooke Furniture Co. (J. L. Brooke, 
Prop.), Klahr Bros. (William & Simon), gro- 
cers; Lang Decorating Co. (A. P. Lang); 
Fred A. Hampson, funeral director; Crystal 
Window Glass Co. ; Pleasantville Canning Co. 
(N. Miller, Prop.); M. J. Nickum, druggist. 
The Pleasantville Bank (A. Kinsel, Pres., C. 
E. Sawyer, cashier) ; The Pleasantville Times 
Printing Co. (J. A. De Rolph, Prop, and ed- 
itor) ; Cottage Hotel (John Grim, Prop.). 

The churches are as follows: Methodist 
Episcopal, W. H. McDaniel, pastor; Meth- 
odist Protestant, C. P. Aller, pastor; and Lu- 
theran, John Griffith, Pastor. 

There are the following lodges: Masons, 
L O. O. F., K. of P. and Grange. 



The doctors of Pleasantville are Dr. A. V. 
Leech, Dr. W. E. Baker, Dr. R. B. Embrey, 
dentist, and O. L. Simms, veterinary. D. E. 
Sites is an attorney-at-law located in Pleasant- 
ville. The present mayor of the town is J. W. 
Stewart. 

The township officers of Pleasant Township 
are as follows : Trustees : President of Board, 
W'm. H. Kellar, Pleasantville; Ben Clump, 
Lancaster, and W. H. Huston, Rushville. 
Clerk, Fred A. Hampson; justice of the peace, 
Charles Busby, Lancaster. 

THE RADEBAUGH FAMILY 

Perhaps no family in Fairfield county is 
more widely or more favorably known than 
the Radebaugh family. They are of German 
extraction, the original fathers and mothers 
coming to this country long years ago from 
Germany and from Holland. They are found 
all over the United States, but have more 
largely made their homes in Ohio than 
in other states. A numerous branch of the 
family is found in Mercer county and in 
Franklin and Hancock, while a few are living 
in Allen. Mr. I. F. Raudabaugh (the name 
is variously spelled), of Celine, has written a 
genealogy of "family tree" which is very in- 
teresting and valuable. 

Joshua Raudebaugh is a large lumber 
dealer in Lima, Ohio, and his sister, Miss 
Lillian, is a teacher in the Lima High school. 
A number of the younger generation are 
teachers. 

Dr. Henry A. Raudabaugh was for many 
years a successful physician at Marysville, 
Ohio, then removed to Columbus, where he 
founded a large and successful hospital. But 
the largest number of this family belong to 
Fairfield coimty. One of the most noted 
members is Dr. Peter Radebaugh, who was 
born at the old homestead in Reasant town- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



181 



ship, February 14, 1854. He was the young- 
est child of Peter Radebaugh, whose family 
is given below. 

Dr. Peter Radebaugh graduated from Mi- 
ami Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1887. He 
has had a most successful practice in Fair- 
field, Putnam and Auglaise counties. A few 
years ago he removed with his family to 
Sturgis, Mich., where he has a large and lucra- 
tive practice. Dr. Radebaugh married, in 
October, 1883, Miss Anna Violet Needles, 
who was born Nov. 17, 1861. They have two 
daughters — Joyce Kile Radebaugh, born in 
1885, who is a successful teacher in Sturgis, 
Mich., and Loretta Foss Radebaugh, born 
May 12, 1890, a graduate from Mechanic's 
Institute, Rochester, N. Y., in 19 10. She is 
a teacher of domestic science in the public 
schools of Ft. Wayne. Joyce graduated at 
Kalamazoo in the Normal course for primary 
teaching. 

Dr. P. Radebaugh's Family Tree 

Samuel Radebaugh, born Nov. 4, 1810. 
John Radebaugh, born March 8, 1813. 
Joseph Radebaugh, born Nov. 10, 1814. 
Peter Radebaugh, bom Oct. 12, 181 6. 
Daniel Radebaugh, born April 26, 1819. 
Abraham Radebaugh, born Sept. 19, 1820. 
Benuel Radebaugh, born Dec. 14, 1823. 
Salome Radebaugh, born July 4, 1828. 
The above are uncles and aunts. 
The brothers and sisters are as follows : 
Mary Radebaugh, born Sept. 24, 1837. 
Susana Radebaugh, Sept. 16, 1839. 
Emanuel Radebaugh, born Nov. 10, 1841. 
Emily Victoria Radebaugh, born Sept. 29, 

1843. 

Rosanna Radebaugh, born Oct. 30, 1845. 

Kezia Eve Radebaugh, born Oct. 13, 1847. 

Joanna Jane Radebaugh, born Oct. 14, 
1851. 
, Peter Radebaugh, born Feb. 14, 1854. 



The family of Nicholas Radebaugh is re- 
ferred to in the sketch of Enos Strawn Miller, 
father of the Editor. Another branch of this 
family in Fairfield includes W. H. Radebaugh 
of Lancaster, the well known merchant tailor 
and Sunday school worker. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 

Richland Township is bounded on the north 
and east by Perry County, on the south by 
Rush Creek Township, on the west by Wal- 
nut and Pleasant Townships. 

It is believed that this township was so 
named because of the richness and fertility of 
its soil. Richland was cut down in 181 7 by 
striking off two tiers of sections, from its 
eastern side to be attached to Perry County, 
thus reducing its dimensions to four sections 
wide by six in length — the smallest township 
in Fairfield County. 

Among the first settlers, were: William 
Wiseman, Theodore Turner, Stephenson and 
Ijams families and Judge William McClung. 
Judge McClung was a prominent public man 
and died in West Rushville in 1876, at a very 
advanced age. Abram Geil, James Rowland 
and Jesse Rowles are likewise mentioned as 
among the pioneers in the township. Mor- 
decai Stevens was an early settler and leading 
farmer; he lived and died on the land first 
entered by his father. William Coulson was 
a leading man of Rushville, both in trade and 
as an active and devoted Methodist. Patrick 
Owens is said to have sold the first goods in 
Richland ; and Moses Plummer, the proprietor 
of the first mills on Rush Creek, between the 
two villages, in the year 1802. 

These villages, as well as Richland Town- 
ship, shared with all other parts of the county 
in the early organization of religious societies 
and churches; but their first meetings were 
held in the log cabins of the settlers, Rev. 



182 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Clymer and James Quinn were the pioneer 
Methodist preachers in Richland. 

The first marriage of the township was be- 
tween Edward Murphy and Sarah Murphy 
in 1802. The ceremony was performed by 
VVilHam Trimble. 

Dr. Nathaniel Waite was a physician in 
West Rushville at an early day; and Dr. Ide 
of East Rushville. The first postmaster was 
Marquette. Harper is named as the first 
blacksmith. 

In former years vast quantities of tobacco 
were packed and shipped from both the Rush- 
villes. It was a staple product of that end of 
the county. The leading men in the tobacco 
trade were the Ijams, Coulson and Vansant. 

Zane's trace passed through East and West 
Rushville and in 1840 was made a turnpike. 
The Toledo and Ohio Central R. R. passes 
through this township midway between the 
two villages. East and West Rushville. There 
are two villages in the township — East Rush- 
ville (now known as Rushville) and West 
Rushville. East Rushville was laid out in 
1808 by Joseph Turner and called Clinton. 
Soon afterwards the name was changed to 
East Rushville. 

The settlers of Richland Township have 
special religious advantages for in the Steven- 
son settlement as early as 1806 or '07 there 
was a Methodist campnieeting — the first 
in Ohio. James B. Finley, the famous pioneer 
M. E. preacher, Charles Waddle, James 
Quinn, Jacob Young, and Asa Shinn were at- 
tendants and participated in these meetings. 
The first church erected in the township was 
by the Methodists in 1810. It was located on 
Section 28 in a log cabin. In 1830 it was 
merged into the East Rushville M. E. Church. 
Rev. Howard McDaniel is the pastor of this 
church and he also preaches at Pleasantville, 
West Rushville and Marsh's Chapel. The 



teachers of Rushville are R. E. Stone, super- 
intendent ; Guy Garwood, principal ; Harry 
Dauterman, grammar department; and Amy 
Beery, primary. 

The following business firms are in business 
in Rushville : Kerr, Shaw & Co., hardware 
and groceries ; J. W. Lewis, dry goods, no- 
tions ; J. M. Lidey, dry goods, notions, boots, 
shoes and groceries; H. B. Whitmore, gro- 
ceries and postofiice ; Edward Cover, hotel ; 
Rushville Banking Co. ; C. R. Turner, black- 
smith ; W. F. Miley, hardware ; Rushville 
Bell Telephone Co. ; G. G. Graves, jewelry 
repairing: Frank Puller, saddlery; George 
Basore, butcher ; J. H. Fultz, attorney-at-law ; 
J. C. Elder, notary public ; B. F. Linville, un- 
dertaker; Clarence Stevison, barber; D. A. 
Biddle, dealer in furs ; Shaw and Bauman, 
grain dealers ; Murphy and Spence, grain 
dealers ; George C. Kalb, printer ; T. A. Mil- 
ler, public auctioneer; Dr. W. C. Lewis and 
Dr. E. P. Trumper. 

The lodges of the town are Masonic Lodge 
with the following officers : T. H. Fahrer, W. 
M. ; R. W. Hyde, S. W. ; Dr. E. P. Trumper, 
J. W. ; B. F. Linville, secretary; C. C. Swine- 
hart, treasurer ; F. G. Love, S. D. ; C. K. 
Hyde, J. D. ; and W. M. Combs, tyler. The 
Eastern Star Lodge has the following officers: 
Mrs. Jennie Murphy, W. Matron; Mr. F. G. 
Love, W. Patron; Mrs. Etta Elder, A. M. ; 
Mrs. Rosetta Linville, conductress ; Mrs. 
Emma Lewis, assistant conductress ; P. R. 
Murphy, secretary; Mrs. Harriet Kuhn, 
treasurer; Mrs. Rebecca Clum, Adah; Miss 
Hattie Parks, Ruth; Mrs. Rosetta Phillips, 
Esther; Mrs. Virginia Book, Martha; Mrs. 
Uphemia Crist, Electa; Mrs. Clementine Kerr, 
chaplain; Miss Ida McDaniels, organist; 
Miss Catherine Combs, warder; Mr. J. C. 
Elder, sentinel ; and Miss Emma Kuhn, mar- 
shal. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



183 



The city officials of Rushville are the fol- 
lowing: J. C. Elder, Mayor; J. M. Lidey, 
clerk; S. B. Neely, treasurer; S. S. Turner, 
marshal ; and Dr. W. C. Lewis, health officer. 
The councilmen are C. R. Turner, president 
of council ; Owen Smith, James F. Morrow, 
David Funks, T. A. Stoltz and T. G. Swine- 
hart. 

The township officers of Richland town- 
ship : P. F. Benadum, Henry Anneshansley 
and William Westall, trustees ; John Johnson, 
constable; D. H. Fahrer, treasurer; R. W. 
Hyde, clerk; Jesse Steth, justice of the peace; 
Emanuel Shoemaker, justice of the peace; 
Jacob Crist, assessor; Rushville School Board 
is composed of the following members : J. H. 
Fultz, R. W. Hyde, Ray Nickum and F. F. 
Lewis. 

RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP 

Rush Creek lies south of Richland, and 
borders on the east of Berne and Pleasant 
Townships. Settlements began in this town- 
ship in 1799. It is a six section township con- 
taining 23,040 acres of land. Bremen is its 
village and is situated about the middle of 
the township. Rush Creek and Raccoon are 
the principal streams that pass through it. 
The Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley rail- 
road cuts it in the center. Nearly all the sur- 
face of Rush Creek is arable and fertile. The 
names derives from Rush Creek, its principal 
stream. 

The survey of this township, and of that 
part of the country, was made by Elnathan 
Scofield, an early citizen of Lancaster, soon 
after the first settlement of the county. 

The names of the men who first entered 
land within the bounds of Rush Creek Town- 
ship, mostly along Rush Creek, here follow : 
John Larimore, William Thompson, John 
Carr. David Martin, William Martin, John 



Cone, James Young, Charles McQung, Henry 
Sellers, John Patton, William McGinnis, John 
Willis, Abraham Geil and others. 

The township was organized in 1804; and 
its first election was at the house of a Mr. 
Hammels soon after. 

In 1810, Samuel Hammel built the first 
mill on Rush Creek ; and a little later Mr. Lieb 
built a saw and grist-mill, also on Rush Creek ; 
Casper Hufford also built a grist-mill on Rac- 
coon very early in the settlements. 

The settlements began along the creeks in 
1800, but the eastern portion of the township 
was settled later. Many of the first comers 
settled down on the squatter plan, and after- 
wards when the land came into market, 
bought their places at two dollars an acre. It 
is that no competition was gone into in the 
purchase, which was the result of mutual 
understanding among the squatters. 

One of the Larimores was the first justice 
of the peace, and Charles McClung was elected 
to the same office in 1804. William McClung, 
a brother of Charles, was a prominent citizen 
of the township. He was a soldier of the War 
of 1S12, serving under General Sanderson, 
who was then captain of a company from 
Fairfield County. Subsequently he repre- 
sented the county in the State Legislature and 
was Associate Judge of the Common Pleas in 
1840 and 1841. 

The Presbyterians were the first to hold re- 
ligious services in the township and their first 
church was of hewed log, built in 1807 in the 
northwest part of the township. There are 
now two churches of this belief; one in Bre- 
men and one in Section 25, called Bethel 
Church. 

The German Baptist Church in Section 28 
was organized in 1805. In an early day, this 
congregation had preaching only four times a 
vear. 



184 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church 
in section 34 was built in 1835. Blasius 
Schmeltzer built the church with all the other 
buildings and donated these with 80 acres of 
land to the church. 

Mt. Zwingle Reform Church is in section 
2. It was built in 1839 and a new frame 
structure took its place in 1876. 

The Mt. Zion Brethren in Christ Church 
was built in 1858 in section 18. 

The Union United Brethren Church was 
built in 1826 in Section 10. 

The Pleasant Hill Mennonite Church was 
built in Section 26 in 1835, the second struc- 
ture was built across the road from the old 
church. 

The Jerusalem Reformed German Church 
was built in 1835 on a line between Sections 
13 and 14. (A. A. Graham, 1883.) 

Two railroads pass through Rush Creek 
Township, the Toledo and Ohio Central with 
the only station of the township at Bremen, 
and the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley 
with a station also at Bremen. There is no 
electric line through this township. (1912.) 

The township officers of Rush Creek Town- 
ship are as follows : Trustees — Charles Sei- 
fert, Ed. Young and J. W. Rittgers. Treas- 
urer — F. M. Bunn ; clerk — J. W. McCullough ; 
constable — Elijah Hillyard; school board — 
Reuben Weltz, Wes McCandlish, Clint Shaw, 
Sam Rowles, A. H. McVeigh. The tax dupli- 
cate is $1,980,340.00. 

BREMEN 

Bremen is the only village of Rush Creek 
Township; it was platted in 1834 upon the 
southeast corner of Section 16. or the school 
lands, by George Beery. At the end of 50 
years it only had about 200 population. In 
an early day mail came to Bremen only once a 
week from McConnellsville, being carried on 



liorseback each Friday morning and the re- 
turn trip being made on the following day. 
As late as 1854, twenty years after the village 
was laid out, it had no railroad, but July 4, 
1855, the first train passed through Bremen on 
the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley R. R., 
and that caused as much excitement in those 
days as the finding of gas and oil in these later 
days. 

The families in the early day at Bremen 
were people of integrity and thrift. Some of 
the names to be found are : Hughes, Rhoda- 
haver, Beery, Moore, Ashbaugh, Stewart, 
Rowles, Leib, Stemen, Everett, McCullough, 
Houston, Cameron, Black, Moyer, Johnston, 
Kelsey, Davis, Young, Sanderson, Poling, 
Shaw, Martin, Thompson, Neeley and Mc- 
Clung. The last twenty years the following 
have been household words about Bremen; 
Purvis, Ricket, Cusac, Shelhamer, Strayer, 
Driver, Kagay, Bell, Black, Ruff and Huddle. 

The commercial history of Bremen did not 
begin till 1907, when the first oil well of the 
Old Bremen Co. "came in" with a good show- 
ing of oil. From that day to this, Bremen 
has been the center of one of the best oil 
fields in Ohio, having not only a good quan- 
tity of oil but the quality is the same as Penn- 
sylvania oil and commands the same price. 

Over 1 50 stock companies have been formed 
(a more extensive description will be found 
in Chapter VII.) and the most striking pe- 
culiarity of the Bremen field is that nearly all 
the territory is controlled by local people. 
Every farmer within the radius of 15 miles 
from Bremen, who has the price, has a variety 
of stocks ; some of them pay, some do not. 

The town is wide awake, up-to-date, improv- 
ing all the time, because of its good, substan- 
tial citizens. In 1890 its population was 244, 
in 1900. 466 and in 1910, 925. 

It was incorporated in 1894; the first mayor 



% 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



185 



was L. O. Binkley ; clerk, C. W. Rickett ; Mar- 
shal, William Wehr; treasurer, J. E. Powers; 
council, Henry Shull, Albert Turner, S. V. 
Lehman, H. M. Shelhamer, F. P. Strayer and 
N. W. Good. 

The city officers now are : Mayor, J. H. 
Downhour; marshal, Lee Haukinson; clerk, 
Edward Purvis; and treasurer, Geo. Baldwin. 

The council is Levi Kennedy, Levi Huddle, 
H. M. Shelhamer, J. E. Purvis, George J. 
Frasch, Lincoln Olive. 

Bremen has waterworks,, sewerage system, 
gas and electric lights. 

The paper, the Bremen Derrick, is published 
■ by W. J. Mortal and son. The largest De- 
partment Store in Fairfield County is the 
Shelhamer Store in Bremen. It was estab- 
lished in 1877. 

In February, 1903, this store with 15 other 
buildings burned to the ground. The Shel- 
hamer store, a two-story brick block, was re- 
built the next year, but the other buildin'gs 
were not rebuilt until the last five years. In 
this store there is nothing omitted that is to 
be found in first class department stores. 
Other stores in Bremen are : Leonard & 
Kennedy, hardware ; Bell & Bell, hardware ; 
George A. Staker, furniture and undertaking; 
Wehr & Son, grocers; Olive & Son, grocers; 
Rufif & Son, meat market. 

There are two banks in Bremen : The 
Bremen Bank Co., H. H. Shelhamer, presi- 
dent; George Baldwin, cashier; and the First 
National Bank, H. E. Young, president; and 
A. D. Hufford, cashier. 

There are two hotels — European, S. W. 
Friesner, proprietor; Park. E. E. Grove, 
proprietor. 

The following industries are found there : 
Oil Well Supply Co., Higbee Tool Co., West- 
erman Boiler Shop, Voviard and Seyfang Sup- 



ply Co., Bremen Mill & Lumber Co., Bremen 
Manufacturing Co., and Turner Mill Co. 

General department stores — Olive & Son; 
The Home Store Co.; J. M. McCullough & 
Co. 

Groceries — The Home Store Co. ; J. M. 
McCullough & Co. ; Ruff & Son. 

Bakery — Frank Resell. 

Barber shops — J. C. Seifert; Henry Hof- 
gens ; C. E. Maxwell. 

Milliner stores — Blair & Colborn; Lillian 
Stimson; Mrs. Wm. Grove. 

Cement Block Factory — John Seifert. 

Coal dealers — David Hendricks; F. M. 
Kittle; Turner Bros.; J. P. Seifert. 

Confectionery & fruit store — James Moses. 

Drug store — Mrs. Dora H. Swartz. 

Milling, Hay & Grain Dealers — John P. 
Eversole. 

Harness shop — J. T. Barret. 

Automobile garage — J. W. Huddle. 

Restaurants — Busy Bee; Hillyard & Son; 
Henry Miley. 

Torpedo companies — Agnew ; Lancaster ; 
Producers. 

Blacksmith shops— John Hill; William 
Ginnery. 

Livery & feed stables— R. C. Thompson; 
Jas. Kennedy. 

Gas and oil supplies— Bovaird & Seyfang; 
Bessemer Gas Engine Co. ; Reid Gas Engine 
Co. : Acme Fishing Tool Co. 

Tunk dealers — Bremen Iron & Steel Co. ; 
Shenker Bros. 

Tank builders— Collins Bros. Tank Co. 

Rig builders — Sharpnack & Co.; T. D. 
Whiston. 

The Buckeye Pipe Line Pumping Station. 
Capacity, 8,000 bbls. per day. 

There are three rural routes. 

There are side walks over the entire town. 



186 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The Water System is ideal. There is a 
reservoir of cement, perfectly enclosed ; water 
soft and absolutely pure ; capacity of reservoir, 
5,000 barrels ; pressure 75 lbs. per square inch. 

The Sewer System is complete. 

Population, 1,400 (1912). 

There are three physicians in Bremen : Dr. 
A. A. Bradford, who graduated from the 
Toledo Medical College in 1885 and came 
to Bremen in 1893; Dr. C. W. Brown gradu- 
ated from Starling Medical College in 1910 
and came to Bremen that year; and Dr. Mc- 
Adoo. Ray Spurgeon and W. M. Scott are 
dentists located here. J. F. Thompson is an 
attorney-at-law, and E. R. Johnston, a Civil 
Engineer. 

LODGES 

A lodge of F. & A. M. was organized at 
Bremen in the fall of 1909. It worked under 
dispensation until January 20, 191 1, when it 
was duly chartered, dedicated and instituted 
with forty members. 

The lodge has been prosperous and harmo- 
nious, enjoying a strong spirit of brotherly 
love. The inspiration of the truth of its teach- 
ings and the strong enthusiastic moral char- 
acter of its members have imbued the institu- 
tion with strength and zeal not often found 
in so young a society. Thirteen applicants' 
petitions were received at its first stated meet- 
ing. At this writing, March i, 1912, there is 
a class of seven apprentices. Not all who have 
knocked at the door of Free Masonry have 
entered the sanctum sanctorum. As no society 
is stronger than the mean average of its mem- 
bers, this lodge recognizes the fact that to be 
strong, be a force for good, and accomplish 
results worth while, the standard of moral 
character must be high. 

Religion and liberty never lower themselves 
to be reached. We must reach up to grasp 



them. It is to this ambitious spirit of reach- 
ing up for higher things, that makes us grow 
stronger in temperance, prudence, fortitude 
and justice, and all the other good qualities 
that ennoble the soul, fitting us for that 
Celestial Lodge not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens above. 

The officers of the lodge during its forma- 
tion period have been men of strong character 
and prudent forethought. Bro. J. M. Lidey 
was the first W. M. and it is to his wise coun- 
sels that the lodge has been built up and its 
success achieved. The present officers are: 
S. W. Crawford, W. M. ; A. F. Turner, S. 
W. ; H. D. McCandlish, J. W. ; E. T. Purvis, 
Chaplain ; Ray Spurgeon, S. D. ; J. H. Griggs, 
J. D. ; L. H. Kennedy, treasurer ; W. C. Ricket, 
secretary; L. T. Colbourne and C. E. 
Thompson, stewards; C. E. Miley, tyler. 

The Crescent Lodge, No. 561, I. O. O. F. 
was instituted October 2, 1873 and meets 
Wednesday. 

The following are the officers: Noble 
Grand, Geo. Jourdan; Vice Grand, E. R. 
Johnston; Rec. Secy., Ray Spurgeon; Finan- 
cial Secretary, R. R. Black; Treasurer, Rob- 
ert Funk. The membership is 87. The lodge 
was instituted October 4, 1873, and of the 
eleven charter members nine are still living, 
two having died in the past two years. The 
oldest members are Noah Westenberger and 
S. H. Alexander, each having been a menroer 
41 years. The lodge meets every Wednesday 
night in its own building. 

Churches 

There are four ciiurches in Bremen. The 
First M. E. church had a humble beginning 
one hundred years ago. The original society 
built a small house of worship about two miles 
northeast of Bremen where Grand view Ceme- 
tery now is located. A very few are living 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



187 



who worshipped in this building. In the early 
fifties the congregation built a church in 
Bremen on Broad street. This building after 
ser\'ing for worship for nearly fifty years is 
now used as a dwelling. In 1900 the present 
commodious building at the corner of Mul- 
berry and Walnut streets was dedicated. The 
society consists of about 375 members. J. 
Vernon Stone, the pastor, graduated from 
Ohio Wesleyan University in 1906 and from 
the Boston School of Theology in 1908. 

The First Presbyterian Church is served by 
Walter D. Hanell, pastor. He was graduated 
from Ohio Northern University and after- 
wards from Lane Theological Seminary in 
1904. He began his work in Bremen, March 
I, 1911. 

The United Brethren Church has as its 
pastor Rev. H. O. Davis, who began his 
pastorate in 1910. 

The Dunkard Church or Church of the 
Brethren is served by Rev. E. B. Bagwell. 

Schools 

Bremen has excellent schools. There is 
now (191 2) being erected a thoroughly mod- 
ern fire-proof building, with an auditorium 
that will seat 500. This building will be used 
for the grades. It is beautifully located, hav- 
ing a plot of four acres of ground. The fol- 
lowing superintendents have served in 
Bremen: Superintendent Morris, 1888-89; M. 
E. Osboume, 1889-1905; E. E. Atwell, 1905- 
1906; S. M. Archer, 1906-1908; P. W. Fattig, 
1908-1909, W. L. Davis, 1909. 

The High School is of the first grade and 
was organized in 1889. Since that year it has 
graduated 67 — 32 boys and 35 girls. The fol- 
lowing is the list of alumni with addresses : 
1900 — James Turner, Bremen, Ohio; 1902 — 
George Blosser, Lancaster, Ohio; Grace Row- 
els, Athens, Ohio; Raymond F. Kagay, 



Marion, Ohio; Leslie W. Householder, Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania; Odessie Wright Ey- 
man, Columbus, Ohio; Grace Bagwell Beery, 
Rushville, Ohio; Albert J. Black, Columbus, 
Ohio; Leefe Purvis Turner, Bremen, Ohio; 
Paul Ashbaugh, Chicago, Illinois. 

1903 — Mabel Staker Anderson, Chillicothe, 
Ohio; Bessie McCandlish Seifert, Bremen, 
Ohio; Ralph Bradford, Chicago, Illinois; 
Hazel Rinehart, New Lexington, Ohio ; Nettie 
Hilliard Hopkins, Bremen, Ohio; Omar 
Bagell, Cleveland, Ohio; Edna Belle McCand- 
lish, Bremen, Ohio. 

1905 — Fay Ashbaugh, McAllister, Okla- 
homa; Emma Rowles, Bremen, Ohio; Eunice 
Patch, Bremen, Ohio; Grace Everitt Mericle, 
Bremen, Ohio; Edith Osboume, Thurston, 
Ohio; Cloyd Johnson, Portland, Oregon; Ada 
Cecil Rowles (deceased), Bucyrus, Ohio; Fay 
McCune Ballinger, Columbus, Ohio. 

1906 — Lyda McCullough Deaver, Parkers- 
burg, West Virginia; Mira Stoner, Chicago, 
Illinois; Sara Alford, Bremen, Ohio; Nellie 
Grove McCandlish, Bremen, Ohio; Tommy 
Seifert, Bremen, Ohio; Belle Houck, Bremen, 
Ohio; Cecil Kellar, Chicago, Illinois. 

1907 — John Alford, Delaware, Ohio; Glenn 
Blosser, Bremen, Ohio; George Kelsey, Co- 
lumbus, Ohio ; Orlando Brown, Newark, Ohio ; 
Everett McCandlish, Bremen, Ohio; Clarence 
Nixon, Bremen, Ohio ; Fern Staker Griffin, 
Bremen, Ohio; Mabel Johnson Weaver, 
Bremen, Ohio. 

1908 — Delia Stuart Olive, Bremen, Ohio; 
Bessie Hufford, Bremen, Ohio; Meda Blosser, 
Bremen, Ohio; Martha Brown, Bremen, Ohio; 
Raymond Heyd, Bremen, Ohio ; Albert San- 
derson, Ada, Ohio. 

1910 — Starling Huddle, Bremen, Ohio; 
Edward J. Kelsey, Bremen, Ohio; Myrtle 
Siniff Brety, Columbus, Ohio; Dessa Trout, 
Bremen, Ohio; Olive Bagwell, Bremen, Ohio; 



188 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Forest Trout Martin, Sistersville, West Vir- 
ginia. 

191 1 — Roland S. Brown, Athens; Russell 
L. Householder, Columbus; J. Foreman Mc 
Cullough, Bremen; Margaree V. Householder, 
Bremen; Chloe May Reeves, Bremen; Ruby 
Fern Fultz, Rushville, Ohio; Leefe Johnson, 
Rushville, Ohio; Joseph H. Morehead, Rush- 
ville, Ohio; Carl W. Oberdorfer, Rushville, 
Ohio. 

President of the Alumni Association, James 
Turner ; secretary, Glenn Blosser. 

Teachers — Superintendent, W. L. Davis, M. 
S. in charge of the schools for three years. 
Principal, C. F. Kreider; assistant principal, 
C. W. Brashares; Daisy McCullough, seventh 
and eighth grades ; Doris Robinson, fifth and 
sixth grades; Bessie Hufford, fourth grade; 
Belle Houck, third grade; Jennie Krout, sec- 
ond grade; Rebekah Robinson, first grade. 

Graduates, 1912 — Ray Freisner, Raymond 
Heyd, Holcombe Frasch, Erwin Young, Ford 
Turner and Carl Mericle. 

DR. OLIVER PERRY DRIVER 

From the Lancaster Daily Eagle, June 5, 19 10. 

"The possession of friends is a common 
good," wrote an ancient sage. 

Dr. Oliver Perry Driver was a friend of 
noble qualities — one truly worthy, and such 
possession was indeed a common good. 

His preparatory education was obtained at 
Fairfield Union Academy, graduating in the 
class of 1877, when that famous old institu- 
tion was known as "The Southern Ohio Nor- 
mal School." In the same class with Dr. 
Driver were Misses Carrie and Addie Ash- 
brook, Messrs. Will C. Varsant. Dr. C. E. 
Baker and the writer. 

Dr. Driver's commencement production was 
a beautiful poem, written in the style and the 
meter of Longfellow's "Hiawatha," which he 



entitled "Drifting." This poem was of 
marked ability from every point of view. It 
inspired to higher thoughts, more exalted feel- 
ings and nobler acts, evincing the high poetic 
talent of the author. 

To write poetry, and to love it, was charac- 
teristic of Dr. Driver. Like Dr. Oliver Wen- 
dell Holmes — he wrote poems while follow- 
ing the practice of medicine, and his friends 
always expected a poem at every banquet, or 
special occasion. He could have said, as truly 
as Dr. Holmes : 

"I'm a florist in verse, and what would people 

say. 
If I went to the banquet without my bouquet?" 

His chosen profession, however, was not 
authorship, but medicine, and to the faithful 
practice of this art he gave his life. One can 
never forget his bright wit which sparkled 
through all his conversation. His humor was 
a constant quality — always uplifting the bur- 
den of some one, and giving men hope. The 
rare sparkle of his eye betokened the college 
prank, the joke, or the humorous story; his 
pathos showed a heart as tender as a child ; his 
seriousness indicated a clear logical reasoning 
upon the things that abide. 

It has often been a matter of regret to the 
writer that Dr. Driver did not devote more of 
his time to the cultivation of what Goldsmith 
calls "polite literature," and especially of 
poetry. While Old Fairfield has produced her 
Enoch Sites in mathematics ; her Ewings, Hun- 
ters. Stanberys, Shermans, Reeses, Beechers 
and Medills in statesmanship, law and military 
science, she could have claimed, also, equal 
rank in the realm of poetry had Dr. Driver 
devoted his time more largely to this art. Yet 
his achievements in this line are by no means 
without merit. The following poem, written 
in his early manhood, evinces some of the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



189 



qualities of mind and heart which give to the 
poet his beauty and his charm. The closing 
stanza of this sweet lyric is prophetic of his 
own death — and the whole fulfills the defini- 
tion "A poem is the very image of life ex- 
pressed in eternal truth :" 

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE 

O. p. Driver. 

Down where the school house used to stand, 

A visit late I paid ; 
And lingered 'round its ruins wild, 

Deep musing while I staid. 

But ah ! to me the scene was sad, 

And tears were free to flow ; 
To think that a few years gone by 

Were doomed to change it so. 

Someone has torn the school house down, 

'Twas cruel that he should; 
And but a few old stones are left, 

To mark the place it stood. 

The brier now grows 'round its walls. 

The alders blossom there ; 
It seemed so ragged 'round that place. 

That once I thought so fair. 

The play ground too, has all grown up 

In weeds and thistles wild; 
They flourish now where I have played 

When but a little child. 

The gentle stream hard by the yard, 

Is flowing just as free. 
As when I played upon its banks, 

With laughter and with glee. 

Its waters sparkle just as bright; 

Its banks are just as green; 
Its pebbles just as fair to sight, 

And wTiite as ever seen. 

But there's no music in its song. 

To me it murmurs sad; 
Not like the songs it used to sing. 

They always made me glad. 



The maple tree just by the road, 

Has grown some taller, too; 
It spreads its branches wider out. 

Its trunk is deeper through. 

Such are the changes years will bring 

As older still we grow. 
Till time shall find us near the tomb. 

With locks as white as snow. 

His life has added largely to the sum of 
human happiness and good — and for this we 
loved him, and shall ever cherish his memory. 

C. C. M., Lima, O. 

VIOLET TOWNSHIP 

Violet township is in the northwestern 
part of Fairfield County. It is bounded on 
the north by Licking County, on the 
east by Liberty township and on the south 
by Bloom township and on the west by 
Franklin County. 

The township was set ofif and incorpor- 
ated in 1808 and from the variety and 
abundance of wild flowers was called Violet. 
Its surface is undulating, sloping to the 
south and is drained by Black Lick, Syca- 
more and Walnut creeks. 

From the beginning the majority of the 
citizens were German — that class of Ger- 
mans who pride themselves on being good 
and reliable citizens. The first man to take 
up his residence here was a Revolutionary 
soldier by the name of George Kirke, who 
entered the eighty acres on which Picker- 
ington stands. In a few years Abraham 
Pickering came and bought the tenth sec- 
tion of land including Kirke's claim and in 
1815 laid ofif a few lots naming the place 
Pickerington. In selecting farms it was 
customary for several to join together, get 
the range and section from corner trees, 
pick out a section and for one of them to 
hurry to the land office to secure it by mak- 



190 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ing an entry and paying the one-fourth part 
(50 cents an acre) down. 

The northern twelve sections of this 
township belonged to the "Refugee Lands." 
Scott's History says: "The Refugee Tract, 
so called, passes through the northern part 
of the county from east to west. Its width 
is two miles and length eighteen miles. The 
origin of the reservation was as follows : 
There were citizens of Canada, who, dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, gave their sym- 
pathies and aid to the American Colonies. 
Congress appropriated this strip of land, 
of eighteen miles east and west, and two 
miles north and south, for their use, hence 
the name 'Refugee Lands.' After it had 
been taken up to the extent of the claimants 
who presented themselves, the unclaimed 
portion was sectioned and sold as other 
Congress Lands." 

PICKERINGTON 

Pickerington is the oldest and largest 
town in Violet township. The material 
welfare of the town has been augmented 
by its being located in the midst of a good 
agricultural and grazing country, and the 
prosperity of the town is matched by the 
solid prosperity of the many homes of an 
enterprising and industrious rural popula- 
tion. 

It is situated twelve miles southeast of 
Columbus, Ohio, and on the line of the To- 
ledo and Ohio Central Railroad, embracing 
in its population of about 300 souls some 
of the fine citizen product of the great Buck- 
eye State. 

More than a century ago the first settle- 
ment was made by early pioneers, so that 
the town marks about the same date on the 
calendar as that of our State capital. The 
town was laid out by Mr. Abraham Pick- 



ering, grandfather of Mr. James T. Pick- 
ering and C. C. Pickering of Lancaster. 
While it has not grown so rapidly as its 
more populous neighbor, it is a thriving 
place, including in its mercantile firms one 
department store, one dry goods establish- 
ment, three grocery and dry goods houses, 
one drug store and among other lines of 
business there are one meat shop, two shoe 
shops, one watchmaker's shop, one harness 
shop, two blacksmith shops, one hotel, two 
livery stables and one lumber yard, one 
flouring mill, one tile and brick plant and one 
creamery and one bank. Its professional life 
is represented by one lady and one gentleman 
physician and by one attorney. 

Pickering Family 

The following sketch of the Pickering 
family, the family who founded Pickering- 
ton, was prepared by Miss Etta Pickering, 
of Lancaster. 

"The Pickering family is of English line- 
age, and was founded by William Pickering 
in early colonial days. Abraham Picker- 
ing, who laid out Pickerington, giving a 
site for a church, one for a schoolhouse, 
and another for a cemetery, was born in 
Rockingham County, Virginia, July 8, 1776. 
His wife, Ann Looker, was born Sept. 10, 
1776. They emigrated to Ohio in 1806 and 
settled in Fairfield County. They brought 
with them their little daughter Elizabeth 
and son James, the latter being but six 
years old. Elizabeth grew to womanhood 
and married Thomas Morton. She lived 
to the advanced age of ninety-five years. 

James Pickering was married March 23, 
1826 to Catherine Williams from Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. Their family con- 
sisted of four sons and one daughter. Jacob 
Pickering, the oldest son, was born March 



I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



191 



3, 1827. He joined the Methodist church 
at an early age, served as steward, trustee, 
class leader, Sunday-school superintendent 
and Sunday-school teacher. He died in 1886 
at his beautiful home in Pickerington. His 
wife was Samantha Ford — she was a zeal- 
ous Christian, a member of the Methodist 
church of Pickerington for 65 years. James 
Pickering and his wife had four children, 
all of whom were given a college education 
at the Ohio Wesleyan University. Jennie 
died June 6, 1888 — the remaining are living 
in Lancaster; C. C. Pickering and J. T. 
Pickering are successful attorneys ; J. T. 
Pickering was postmaster from 1898 to 1910, 
a period of 12 years. Miss Etta, the only 
living daughter, resides in Lancaster. The 
mother died at Lancaster, October 8, 1902, 
aged 76 years." 

Churches 

There are two churches in Pickerington 
— the United Brethren and Methodist. 
The United Brethren church was erected 
in 1882 and is called Dovel Memorial 
church. The present building was built as 
a result of the labors of Rev. Munk of Basil. 
The membership is small. The present 
pastor is Rev. J. F. Turbin, located at Pa- 
taskala. 

The first Methodist church was built in 
1833. The trustees were Adam Ebright, 
Isaac Rainer, Philip Ford, John Milnor, 
John Tyler, Sr., William Thompson, 
Thomas McArthur, James Pickering and 
Andrew Dougherty, Sr. This was a brick 
building 48 x 36 ft. "The men occupied 
the east side of the church and the women 
the west and woe betide the luckless one 
who went in at the wrong door, for he fell 
under the ban of a custom so closely fol- 
lowed by all who prided themselves on 



maintaining the rule of the day, that no 
man should sit on the woman's side or 
woman on the men's side." In 1867 the 
building was remodeled. This building was 
used till 1883 when the present structure 
was erected. The following were the board 
of trustees when this building was erected: 
Henry Taylor, William Milnor, M. A. 
Ebright, William H. Kraner, Simeon Hand- 
shey, Jacob Pickering and Garrett Miller. 
In 1905 the trustees were Irvin Fishbaugh, 
William Milnor, Pearl Kranor, Homer 
Pierce, Henry Taylor, Lafayette Harmon, 
Russell Handshey. The present pastor 
(1912) of the Pickerington M. E. church is 
Rev. Albert Davis. 

Dr. Darlington J. Snyder, a prominent 
physician of Columbus, was at New Salem. 
He was for many years one of the most suc- 
cessful teachers in Fairfield and Franklin 
counties and was also an instructor in Fair- 
field Union Academy at Pleasantville. 

William M. Wikoff, for many years a 
leading teacher in Fairfield and other coun- 
ties, and who was business manager of the 
Lancaster Camp Meeting, was born at New 
Salem, and still has large agricultural inter- 
ests there. Mr. Wikoff resides in Columbus 
and is actively engaged in teaching (see 
sketch ) . 

There are several small villages in Violet 
township — Waterloo, in the southwest corner 
of the township, is close to the Franklin 
County line. It is on the Ohio Canal and the 
Hocking Valley Railway. 

LOCKVILLE AND HARLEY 

Lockville is a small village partly in Vio- 
let and part in Bloom township. It is on 
the Ohio Canal and is named from the locks 
that are in the canal near this place. Lock- 
ville Station is about two miles north of 



192 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Lockville and is on the Hocking Valley 
road. 

Harly or Yelrah is a small village in the 
extreme east of the township. 

The following items of interest were 
kindly furnished by Mr. A. D. Courtright, 
president of the Board of Education of 
Pickerington. 

SCHOOLS 

The schools of Violet township were no 
different from other schools in Fairfield 
County until the school year 1907-8. In 
1895 the people of Violet township began to 
agitate a change in their school system. At 
this time there was no high school in the 
township, and if the girls and boys wished 
to attend a high school they had to go either 
to Reynoldsburg, Carroll, or Canal Win- 
chester. The Board of Education in the 
spring of 1895, set a time for the considera- 
tion of building a township high school. 
The citizens of Violet township came to- 
gether in public meetings for the purpose 
of discussing the feasibility of building a 
township high school. At all of the meet- 
ings the sentiment seemed to be in favor of 
it. When the time came for the board to 
act on the proposition, one of the members 
who was thought to be deeply interested 
in the building of a high school, did not 
come to the meeting, so the matter was 
dropped for that time. The member of 
the board who took the lead in the work 
for a high school not being returned to the 
board the next year, the proposition was 
dropped and seemed to lie dormant for the 
next ten years. All of these ten years there 
were those who kept the tender plant 
watered, and in the fall of 1904, after the 
new school law came into existence, it be- 
gan to take on new life. 



By this time the people were becoming 
dissatisfied with the little old red school- 
house. Quite a number were clamoring for 
centralization. The plan for a building 
large enough for a township high school, 
and the plan to centralize at least a part 
of the township schools had many friends. 
They put on their ticket, to be voted on 
at the coming election, A. M. Whims, Mike 
King. John Peters, Gus M. Alexander and 
A. D. Courtright, for members of Violet 
township Board of Education. There were 
twelve other names put on the ticket. At 
the election all of the candidates favorable 
to the plan for a change in the Violet town- 
ship schools were elected by large majori- 
ties. 

Two of the members elected — Mr. A. M. 
Whims and Gus M. Alexander — were not 
residents of Violet township School Dis- 
trict, Mr. Whims living in Liberty township 
School District, and Gus M. Alexander in 
Pickerington village School District. The 
Violet townshipi board met on the first Mon- 
day in January, 1905, at the township house 
in Pickerington, Ohio, at 2 P. M., to or- 
ganize. Mike King, John Peters and A. 
D. Courtright were present. A. D. Court- 
right was chosen president ; John Peters, 
secretary. The village board met on the 
same afternoon and by a previous arrange- 
ment abandoned this district in accord with 
Section 3894 R. S. 

After the abandonment of the village 
School District, and their acceptance by the 
Violet township board, Gus M. Alexander 
was appointed on the Violet township board 
to serve for four years and W. W. Milnor 
was appointed for two years, after which 
John Peters resigned as clerk and Gus M. 
Alexander was appointed clerk for two 
years. The board began to lay plans for 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



193 



the erection of a building large enough 
for a township high school and to centralize 
a part of the township at least. There was 
a two-room building in Pickerington. In the 
spring of 1905 the board asked the State 
School Commissioner for a charter for a 
third-grade high school, which he granted 
and the school year of 1905-6 they had the 
first high school ever held in Violet town- 
ship. 

One of the first things a Board of Educa- 
tion needs before it can erect a building 
is money. After carefully going over the 
finances, the board found it not only had no 
money with which to erect a building but that 
they were in debt $1,500 for one erected the 
year before. Not only were they in debt but 
the old board had forgotten to make a levy 
to meet this debt. How to raise the money 
to put up a building of the size to meet all 
the requirements was a very perplexing 
problem. It was first thought that it could 
be raised by issuing bonds, as provided in 
Section 3,994. Upon careful investigation 
it was found all that could be raised on this 
plan for any one school year would be 
$2,600, so this plan had to be abandoned. 

To ask the people to grant a bond issue 
under Section 3,991 it was thought would 
be sure to meet with failure. After con- 
sidering all of the schemes for raising funds, 
the board finally hit upon the plan of creat- 
ing a building fund and in accord with this 
idea there was levied about $6,000 for the 
first year. This plan met with general 
satisfaction and the next year another levy 
was made of about the same amount. 

The funds being provided, it was thought 
time to begin the new building. The site 
chosen was a beautiful hill in the north- 
east corner of the village of Pickerington, 
about thirty feet above the main part of 



the town — a more beautiful site could not 
be found in Ohio for a school building. The 
next step was to have an architect make 
plans and Merriott and Allen of Columbus 
was the firm selected to perform this task. 
In a short time the plans were ready. Ad- 
vertising for bids was the next thing. 
When the bids were opened it was found 
they were all too high. The board rejected 
all of the bids and as it was getting late in 
the season it was thought best not to at- 
tempt to build that year. 

In February, 1907, the contract was let 
to Mr. C. W. Ricket of Bremen, Ohio. The 
specifications called for a six-room building, 
with basement under the entire building to 
be heated by hot air. With some changes 
made by the board, the building cost when 
completed $15,000. 

The building started in May and was to 
be completed by the first of September, 
but the season being very wet, it was not 
completed until the last of October. It 
was dedicated by State School Commis- 
sioner Edmund A. Jones, and turned over 
to Violet township by the president of the 
School Board. A young girl, Catherine 
Kraner, represented Violet township. The 
ceremony was a very pretty, as well as im- 
pressive. And now after two years of un- 
ceasing work by the board they were ready 
to begin school in the new building. They 
had changed from a third to a second-grade 
high school with Prof. W. H. C. Ackers," 
superintendent; J. S. Talbott, grammar; 
Ethel L. Becher, intermediate; and Alice 
Hizey, primary, as teacher. Two wagons 
built for the purpose of conveying children 
to school, were purchased by the board; 
these two wagons brought in three sub- 
districts. 

The friends of the new school plan now 



194 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



had a six-room building, with four teachers ; 
the query was where to get the scholars to 
at least make a fair showing. It was figured 
that there would not be more than eighty 
scholars — twenty to each teacher; it was 
not expected there would be more than ten 
at most in the high school. At last the open- 
ing day arrived. How the friends of the 
school stood around waiting with bated 
breath. Soon the scholars began to come 
in by ones and twos, driving, walking, and 
in school wagons. How the countenances 
of the friends of the school changed from 
one of anxiety to one of joy. Everywhere 
you could hear women and men shouting, 
"See them come ! It's a success — It's a 
success!" When the scholars had all got 
in and taken their places it was found on 
that first morning, October 27, 1907 — that 
morning when Violet township opened her 
first township high school and was thus the 
first township in Fairfield County to cen- 
tralize or partially centralize — to the great 
astonishment of the friends of the school 
there were one hundred and thirty-seven 
scholars. 

One of the first things to be done was to 
change the teaching force, get another 
teacher for the grades, and put Mr. J. S. 
Talbott in the high school. This was 
done by closing and centralizing another 
sub-district, making four sub-districts out- 
side of the one in which the new building 
was located. In the early part of 

1908 another wagon was purchased by the 
board. The wagons are lettered "Violet 
township schools," and are numbered, be- 
ginning with No. I. In the school year 

1909 another sub-district was centralized 
and the fourth wagon purchased and in 1910 
another and a fifth wagon was purchased. 
Violet township now had seven of the thir- 



teen sub-districts entirely centralized and 
four of the other six partially centralized. 
More than two-thirds of all the scholars in 
Violet township are coming to the central- 
ized school. In connection with the high 
school there is a splendidly equipped labora- 
tory — indeed so well equipped is it that when 
State School Commissioner Edmund A. 
Jones came down in the beginning of the 
school year of 1908 with a charter for a 
first grade high school, he said in his talk 
in the hall that day that it was "the best 
equipped school building of its kind in 
Ohio." 

There are now three high school teach- 
ers, and four teachers in the grades and 
something like 200 scholars. Prof. E. L. 
Tussing has been teaching music in the school 
in the centralized building since the begin- 
ning of the present system. The present 
corps of teachers are : Prof. J. A. Erf, 
superintendent; Miss Elsie Tway, principal; 
Miss Dorcas Truckmiller, assistant princi- 
pal; Miss Blanch Lehman, seven and eighth 
grades; Mr. Gussie Steman, fifth and sixth 
grades; Mr. Samuel Raver, third and fourth 
grades; Miss Alice Hizey, first and second 
grades. The school building is so arranged 
that by rolling partitions two school-rooms 
can be made into a hall that will seat three 
hundred people. There is a very good 
stage, lit by both gas and electricity, the 
electricity is generated in the laboratory 
by a gas engine and dynamo. 

After the school had started and was well 
under way it was found that some kind 
of a library was needed for the school's 
best progress. At first it was thought this 
could best be done by providing a school 
library. After careful investigation by the 
president of the board this plan was aban- 
doned. The president formulated a plan 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



195 



under Section 3,998, which was presented 
to the board and accepted and a resolution 
was passed creating a Violet township 
library. Because of the very great respon- 
sibility in starting a library and selecting 
the right kind of books, the board thought 
it best to select a committee, and in accord 
with this idea the following committee was 
selected: Dr. W. B. Taylor, Dr. Georgia 
Finley, Rev. Dr. G. L. Cites, Prof. W. H. 
C. Ackers, Prof, J. S. Talbott, Atty, J. T. 
Pickering, Mrs. J. D. Rickets, and Dr. Chas. 
Kraner. The president of the school board, 

A. D. Courtright, was president of the com- 
mittee but had no vote. The clerk of the 
school board was secretary of the commit- 
tee with a vote in case of a tie. This com- 
mittee selected all of the books, recom- 
mended their purchase by the board and 
in every single instance the board passed 
favorably on their recommendation. 

After this plan had been in force for more 
than a year, and the library had gotten 
well under way, the Board of Education 
began looking for a plan to turn over the 
entire management of the library. After 
a careful study it was found that Section 
3,998 just fitted the case and was just what 
the board was looking for. In accord with 
this idea there was a canvas made by the 
president of the board to find the kind of 
people that would make a good strong 
Library Board of Trustees. After making 
a careful canvas, and personal talk with 
each one, there was selected and presented 
to the board the following names: Dr. W. 

B. Taylor, for seven years ; Dr. Georgia 
Finley, six years ; E. R. Wooley, five years ; 
Prof. W. H. C. Ackers, four years ; Pearly 
Milinor, three years ; Dr. Chas. Kraner, two 
years, and C. D. Bowers, one year. At its 
next meeting the board passed a resolution 



and elected the above named persons, as 
recommended by the president, thus creating 
a Library Board of Trustees. This plan has 
been working very satisfactory for more than 
three years. There are now in the library 
more than two thousand volumes. They 
have seventy-five or a hundred Macey book 
cases, and employ a librarian all of the year. 
A short time ago the trustees took up with 
Mr. Carnegie the plan of building a town- 
ship library building. A few days ago, they 
received a letter from Mr. Carnegie with the 
statement that he would furnish $10,000 for 
the purpose of erecting a library building 
with an auditorium in the basement, the 
Library Trustees to furnish a building site. 
Inside of another year the trustees expect 
to have a beautiful library building of their 
own. They expect to build it on the public 
square in the village of Pickerington, Ohio. 

PHYSICIANS OF VIOLET TOWNSHIP 

Dr. Minor practiced in Pickerington and 
vicinity earlier than 1836. 

From 1 836- 1 839 there were two doctors 
who spent one year each in the community — 
namely Dr. Hoor and Dr. Hood. Dr. Will- 
iam Talbert practiced for thirty years, prin- 
cipally at Jefferson. He had two sons who 
became physicians. Dr. Martin Valentine 
was in Violet township from 1852 to 1862, 
when he enlisted as surveyor in the loth Ohio 
Cavalry. 

Dr. Stephen Bennett, a graduate of Dart- 
mouth, was in Pickerington from 1855-36. 
He has a son who is a druggist at Lithopolis. 

Dr. John Bailey (1856-57), Dr. Val Miller, 
an herb doctor (1855-58), Dr. Robert For- 
grave, a graduate of Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege (1862-65), and Dr. M. R. Ewing, (Mi- 
ami Med. Col. of Cincinnati) (1852-88), all 
practiced at Pickerington. Dr. Ewing was in 



196 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Pickerington over 30 years — was postmaster, 
justice of the peace. He formerly practiced 
at Reynoldsburg, Hebron and Truro. 

Dr. Beam was a partner of Dr. Ewing one 
year. Dr. Isaac Johnson practiced from 1866- 
68 and moved to Missouri. Dr. Stephen Car- 
roll practiced from 1870 to 1872; Dr. William 
I. Bright, from 1872 to 1875; Dr. F. G. Tay- 
lor, from 1876 to 1877; Dr. Val Valentine, 
from 1877 to 1879; Dr. George Wigam, from 
1878 to 1881 ; Dr. Grey Stewart, from 1879 
to 1904; Dr. Hoyt Simpson, from 1881 to 
1886; Dr. Clark Edwards, from 1881 to 1883 
(now in Columbus) ; Dr. S. L. Kistler, from 
1882 to 1884; Dr. F. R. Morath. from 1885 
to 1900 (now in Columbus) ; Dr. William 
Beery, from 1888 to 1889 (now in Colum- 
bus) ; Dr. Georgia Finley, from 1902 to 19 12 
(now at Gloucester, Mass.); Dr. Charles 
Kraner, from i9ioto 191 2. Dr. W. B. Tay- 
lor, son of Dr. F. G. Taylor, was graduated 
at Ohio Medical University, at Columbus and 
also received his B. S. degree at Ohio Normal 
University, at Ada, Ohio. He located at 
Pickerington in 1902. 

VIOLET TOWNSHIP LIBRARY TRUSTEES, I9I2 

Dr. Georgia Finley, Dr. W. B. Taylor, 
James G. Kraw, Perl C. Milnor, Mrs. J. D. 
Ricketts, Mrs. Frank Smith and E. R. 
Wooley. 

Lodges 

There have been several secret societies 
started in Pickerington by the good people of 
both country and town. Somtimes in the 
early seventies there was organized a society 
called Patrons of Husbandry, better known 
as "Grangers." This society flourished like 
a green bay tree for a time, then its star 
set never to rise again ; at least it has never 
been seen in this part of the country since. 



In the spring of 1882 a number of the 
citizens of Pickerington and Violet town- 
ship conceived the idea of having a real 
live lodge in their midst. Hence they set- 
tled on the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, with this idea in view the following 
citizens applied to the Grand Lodge for a 
charter : Samuel Fishbaugh, E. D. Kraner, 
W. G. Merser, Phillip Pickering, J. M. 
Sharp, John Ault, G. W. Waggey, J. H. 
Dickinson, D. I. Petty, D. C. Ebright, G. 
S. Stewart, George W. Eversole, J. L. 
Vanasdalen, J. H. Shoemaker, and James 
Sain. The charter was granted and the 
above petitioners became charter members. 
On November 22, 1882, Violet Lodge, No. 
709, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Pickering- 
ton, Ohio, by Grand Master W. R. Hazlet. 
This lodge was very prosperous for a few 
years, then they did a thing that has been 
the downfall of so many lodges all over 
the country — they put up a building and 
went heavily in debt for it. Soon after the 
building was put up some trouble arose in 
the lodge, and it began to go down and 
kept going until 1901. 

Sometime before this the building had 
been taken over by a stock company at a 
great loss to the lodge. In January, 1901, 

C. H. Liman, Grand Secretary and Moffet, 

D. D. G. M., came to Pickerington to take 
up the charter. After spending the day go- 
ing over the situation with the brothers 
they decided not to take the charter up at 
this time. They thought there was a re- 
vival just ahead for the lodge if members 
would go to work. This they did and in 
ten days they had eleven candidates and 
in less than six months the membership had 
grown from twelve to over forty. In the 
report of 1910 there was reported to the 
Grand Lodge seventy-three members. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



197 



There have been other societies started 
in Pickerington and Violet township. In 
1891 there was organized a society called 
the Farmers Alliance ; this society only 
lasted a short time. 

A few years ago the Maccabees instituted 
a lodge in Pickerington. This society was 
never very strong and soon went out for 
lack of patronage. After the Odd Fellows 
in Violet lodge had such a wonderful boom 
the good women — wives, mothers, sisters, 
and sweethearts, of Odd Fellows in Violet 
lodge — Applied for a charter to institute a Re- 
becca lodge. The following women of Violet 
Township and Pickerington were charter mem- 
bers : Miss Beatrice Belt, Miss Ida Hoy, 
Mrs. Ella Good; Mrs. Hattie Fenstermaker, 
Mrs. Edith Eswine, Mrs. Mollie Bish, Mrs. 
Adaline Hager, Mrs. Lulu Stoner, Mrs. 
Blanch Taylor and Mrs. Ella Arthur. The 
charter was granted by Grand Master Pavy 
and June 24, 1903, there was instituted by 
Grand Master C. C. Pavy and Grand Secre- 
tary C. H. Liman in Pickerington, Ohio, 
Melrose lodge No. 571. The present offi- 
cers are Mrs. Cathern Miller, N. G. ; Miss 
Cora Fenstermaker, V. G. ; Miss Maud 
Kraner, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Ella 
Good, Recording Secretary, and Mrs. Hattie 
Fenstermaker, treasurer. 

WALNUT TOWNSHIP 

Walnut township was organized in 1807. 
It is in the northeastern part of the county, 
bounded on the north by Licking County, 
Perry County and Richland township on 
the east ; Pleasant township on the south 
and Liberty township on the west. It was 
named from the large amounts of walnut 
timber found in its primitive forests. 

The surface is level or slightly undulat- 
ing and the soil is exceedingly fertile. Be- 



cause of low, wet, swampy lands in 
some parts of the township, it was set- 
tled much slower than some other parts 
of the county. In the northern part of 
the township is a large artificial body 
of water known as the Licking Reservoir. 
It was created as a feeder to the Ohio Canal 
in 1833 and is situated in Licking, Fairfield 
and Perry counties. That portion of it 
which is in Fairfield County is entirely in 
Walnut township. The Ohio Canal, com- 
menced in 1825 and finished in 1833, enters 
Walnut township at the north, passes south, 
through Millersport, then southwest into 
Liberty township at Baltimore. 

The first settlers of Walnut township 
came from Virginia and Maryland. Among 
them these were familiar names — Thomas 
and Isaac Cherry, William Murphy, Wil- 
liam Pugh, Henry Eversole, William Bow- 
man, Andrew Crayer, Edward Berry, John 
Decker, Jesse Pugh, David Lyle, John Mil- 
ler, John Goldthwait, Mr. Wiseman. 

The first road in Walnut township was 
laid out in 1810. Prior to this time a road 
had been blazed from the Scioto at a point 
probably where Columbus now is, through 
to Zanesville, pushing through Walnut, 
which subsequently was opened into a 
wagon road. 

["A brief explanation of what is meant 
by a blazed road is necessary, because not 
one in fifty of the present inhabitants of 
Fairfield County have any knowledge of 
them. They were a necessity of the pio- 
neer age. They were called at first 'bridle- 
paths' and 'foot-paths.' The manner of 
opening them was in this wise: One or 
more men set out with axes from one point 
to another, say, from one cabin to another, 
and taking trees in range, and from twenty 
to forty feet apart, chopped or hewed the 



198 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



bark from the two sides facing in two di- 
rections, thus making a blaze that caught 
the eye readily by the contrast between the 
bark and the bare wood. Then these blazed 
trees were followed in both directions, on 
foot and on horseback, until, by use, a 
beaten track rendered the blazes unneces- 
sary. I have known guns to be fired and 
horns blown, at the outcome, or at points 
along the way to guide the blazers." Scott.] 

Another road was early laid out leading 
from Newark to Lancaster. It was a great 
thoroughfare. In 1870 the portion of the 
road between New Salem and Lancaster 
was made a free turnpike. 

John Goldthwaite of Walnut township, 
(according to Wiseman) was the first teacher 
in the county, teaching as early as 1802. 
He was a man of horticultural tastes and 
planted the first orchard in the county on 
the Levering farm. He started a nursery 
in Walnut township two miles west of New 
Salem in 1812. In 1833 he died and was 
buried in New Salem. 

MILLERSPORT 

There are three villages in Walnut town- 
ship — Millersport, Thurston and New 
Salem. Millersport is situated in the north- 
ern part of the township, near the Licking 
Reservoir and is on the T. & O. C. Railroad. 
The town was laid out by Mathias Miller 
in 1825. Soon after, the canal was com- 
pleted and Millersport was a market for 
wheat, corn, oats and pork. There were 
three warehouses, all of which did a fine 
business in an early day. 

The schools of Millersport are well con- 
ducted and efificient. The following are the 
teachers: M. E. Osborne, superintendent of 
the township; Miss Florence Miller, the 
principal of the Millersport schools (1912) 



and in charge of the 2d and 3d years of 
the high school; Henry McLaughlin, as- 
sistant principal, who teaches first year 
high school and seventh and eighth grades; 
Bertha Outcalt, the teacher of the fourth 
and fifth grades; Ina Hoover, third grade; 
and Mildred Miller, first and second grades. 

The Millersport Bank Co. — This enter- 
prise was chartered as a state bank in 1907 
and began business November 27, 1907. 
The capital stock subscribed was $25,000. 
The present officers are as follows: A. W. 
Peters, president; W. E. Zollinger, vice 
president; H. A. House, cashier. The di- 
rectors are : A. W. Peters, W. E. Zol- 
linger, J. A. Brison, H. C. Brison, Thomas 
Smith, Charles Decker and C, A. Bright. 

The other business enterprises are as fol- 
lows : Benidem & Peters, merchants and 
dry goods; Rev. Massy, notion store and 
meat market; Thomas Murphy, notion store 
and meat market ; E. R. Holmes, postmaster 
and merchant ; Turner & Allen, Millersport 
Hardware Co. ; C. A. Swisher, dealer in 
hay, grain and coal ; Levi Bright, dealer in 
grain, coal and tile; Hartman <& Son, restau- 
rant and notion store ; Raymond Turner, 
restaurant and notion store ; George Dilger, 
restaurant and notion store; Millersport 
Building and Improvement Co. ; Summer- 
land Beach Improvement Co. ; Perry Bow- 
ers and Edson Petty, blacksmith shops; 
Thomas Smith, ice cream manufacturer. 

There are three churches, viz. : Method- 
ist Episcopal church. Rev. George Mar- 
shall; Bible Christians, Rev. Henry Leytle; 
and Antioch Mission, Rev. Jennie Lynn. 
The physicians of the town are: Dr. Frank 
P. Atkinson, Dr. Henry P. Bigony and Dr. 
H. Clay Brison. 

The lodges, with officers, are as follows: 

Masons, Alturias Lodge, No. 537, Mil- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



199 



lersport, Ohio. The officers are : Worship- 
ful Master, F. P. Atkinson ; Senior Warden, 
W. C. Smith ; Junior Warden, H. P. Bigony ; 
Secretary, C. A. Swisher; Treasurer, James 
Smith; Senior Deacon, Robert Taylor; 
Junior Deacon, J. R. Brison; and Stewards, 
Charles Benidem and P. Bowers. 

Eastern Star, Millersport Chapter, No. 
301, O. E. S. Officers: W. Matron, Flora 
Benidem^ W. Patron, Will. Parmer; A. 
Matron, Paris Atkinson ; A. Conductress, 
Bertha Outcault; Conductress, Adda 
Holmes; Ada, Ethel Benidem; Ruth, Hazel 
Frye; Esther, Mildred Miller; Martha, 
Louise Smith ; Electa, Helen Haver Bow- 
ers; Secretary, Harry House; Warder, 
Minnie Ford; Sentinel, Harvy Bowers; 
Treasurer, Stella Brison ; Organist, Beulah 
Benidem. 

Odd Fellows, Advance Lodge, No. 606 : 
Officers : Noble Grand, Ralph Wyckofif ; 
Vice Grand, Will Hensel ; Treasurer, Isaac 
Shell; Secretary, Fred IMurphey. 

The officers of the Knights of Pythias 
lodge are : Chancellor Commander, Clay 
Bright; Vice Chancellor, Hugh Hawlow; 
Prelate, Charles Parish ; Master of Works, 
Will Fisher; Master of Arms, Fred Mur- 
phey; Keeper of Records and Seals, Mur- 
ray McMahan; Master of Finance, Gid. 
Foster; Master of Exchequer, George Shell; 
Inner Guard, Stanley Miller; Outer Guard, 
Edgar Ross; Representative to Grand 
Lodge, Vane Ross. 

The officers of the Pythian Sisters are : 
Most Excellent Chief, Faye Belt; Past 
Chief, May Shelenbarger ; Ex. Senior, 
Beatrice Belt; Manager, Ada Bright; Ex. 
Junior, Mrs. Stamler; Mistress of Finance, 
Clara Ensor; Mistress of Records, Maggie 
Eder; Inner Guard, Jessie Ross; Outer 
Guard, Stella Ross; Organist, Ida Fisher; 



Captain of Degree Staff, Dollie Ensor; 
First Challenger, Beulah Benidem. 

The officers of the Buckeye Lake Grange 
are Master, B. T. Belt; and Secretary, 
Nellie Smith. 

H. F. Bigony, M. D., of Millersport, 
Ohio, was graduated from the Medical Col- 
lege of Virginia, May 16, 1905. He began 
practice at Millersport, October i, 1909. 

F. P. Atkinson, M. D., of Millersport, 
Ohio, graduated from the Ohio Medical 
University of Columbus, Ohio, April 16, 
1903. He has been practicing in Millers- 
port and vicinit}' since July i, 1903. 

NEW SALEM 

New Salem was laid out in 1832 by 
Abram Harshbarger. It is in the south- 
eastern part of the township near the Perry 
County line. The first residence in the vil- 
lage was built by John Pride. In an early 
day John Spitler's hotel enjoyed a good 
patronage, for it was on the route of the 
stage coach from Newark to Lancaster. 
The first doctors were Drs. Buck and 
Loomis and David Sweazy was the first 
postmaster. Christopher Trovinger was 
the first teacher. 

New Salem Station is three-quarters of 
a mile north of New Salem village and is 
on the Zanesville and Western, a railroad 
from Thurston to Zanesville. 

There are three churches in New Salem : 
The Methodist Episcopal, over which Rev. 
Geo. A. Marshall is pastor (he also preaches 
at Millersport and Thurston) ; the Method- 
ist Protestant, with Cornelius Allen, pastor 
(he preaches at Thurston and Pleasant- 
ville) ; the Reform church with C. E. Stine 
as pastor, who also preaches at Thornville. 

There are several prosperous stores: 
Smith Bros., dry goods ; David Dupler, gro- 



200 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ceries and meats. There is one restaurant 
and one blacksmith shop, which is owned 
by David Knode. 

New Salem, whose population in 191 2 was 
about 200, was formerly incorporated, but 
a few years ago for school purposes it was 
voted to change it to a special school dis- 
trict. There are two teachers, Miss Mae 
Alt and Miss Johnson, and this school 
forms a part of the system of schools of 
Walnut township, which is under the care 
of Supt. M. E. Osborne of Thurston. 

In New Salem there are two lodges, a 
very prosperous lodge of Maccabees and 
also a lodge of Red Men. 

Dr. Carl is a physician located at New 
Salem. 

THURSTON 

Thurston was laid out in 1881 by George 
W. Bush. It is situated at the junction 
of the Toledo and Columbus divisions of 
the Toledo and Ohio Central R. R. It was 
first called Bush City, in honor of its 
founder; later the officials of the railroad 
changed it to Hadley Junction and still 
later to Thurston. It is now a village of 
about 300 people. The following stores are 
in Thurston: general store of George H. 
Huhn; general store and postoffice, George 
Haver and Adam Friedly. Dr. C. M. Fishel 
has been in Thurston two years. 

Churches 

There are four churches in Thurston : 
The "Old School" or Primitive Baptist 
church, the New School Baptist church, 
the Methodist Protestant and Methodist 
Episcopal. 

The Thurston Methodist Protestant 
church was organized and built in 1890. 
Rev. O. J. Watson was the first pastor. 



The Thurston church is one of the four ap- 
pointments of the Pleasantville Circuit. 
The pastors in succession were : Revs. T. 
J. Wert, R. D. Shepherd, W. W. Gadd, C. 
Stansbury, T. J. Wert, S. S. Fisher, C. O. 
Harvey, H. M. Peebles, M. V. Shuman and 
C. P. Allar. It was under the pastorate of 
Rev. C. O. Harvey that the church was 
rebuilt and dedicated in June, 1905. The 
present membership is about fifty. 

The Thurston M. E. church was organ- 
ized March 11, 1892. The building which 
was erected was dedicated August 15, 1892, 
with a membership of twenty-three. The 
following pastors have served the charge : 
Rev. Sparks, Rev. Mark, Rev. Prior, Rev. 
Jackson, Rev. Hixon, Rev. Westervelt, Rev. 
Pfaltzgraf, Rev. Morrison, Rev. Crooks, Rev. 
Jewett and Rev. Marshal. The church has 
at the present time about sixty members 
and is in a prosperous condition . 

The New School Baptist church of 
Thurston, was organized in 1861. The 
church now has a membership of thirty-five. 

The Primitive Baptist church at Thurs- 
ton was constituted in January, 1816 and 
since then has had pastors as follows: Eld- 
ers Parker, Jesse Stith, Bevers Johnson, 
David Scofield, G. N. Tusing, E. Barker, 
Z. K. Holliday, W. A. Chastain, L. V. Kite 
and C. P. Beadle. The present pastor is 
N. L. Ford. There is a good congregation. 

Schools 

The public schools of Walnut township 
through their Board of Education first 
elected a superintendent of schools for the 
whole township in 1897 in the person of 
W. M. Wikoff, who served two years. Mr. 
Wikofif was succeeded by M. E. Osbourne, 
who served two years. In 1901 the town- 
ship high school was organized at Thurs- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



201 



ton with W. M. Wikoff as superintendent, 
who served two years. He was followed 
by Mr. A. F. Darbey in 1903, J. Q. Lec- 
krone in 1904, W. A. Matheney in 1905, 
and Mr. M. E. Osborne in 1906, and who still 
is in charge of the schools. The school 
was rated third grade until 1907, when it 
was made second grade. In 1908 the 
schools were made first grade bv State 
School Commissioner, E. A. Jones. The 
class of 1909 was the first to receive a 
diploma as a first grade high school. 

The school was placed on the recognized 
list of the State University in 1910. Since 
1908 Millersport has been doing three years 
work at that place. 

The Alumni list of this school is as fol- 
lows: 1901 — E. A. Kuhn, P. H. Snyder; 
1902 — Geo. Schaertzer, Roy Elder, Pearl 
Rudisill, Eldon Rogers and Charles Boyer; 
1903 — Lesta Marlowe, Alma Hood, John 
Fenstermaker, Stanley Patterson, Earl Jen- 
kins, Harry Turner, Lawrence Miller and 
Grace Schaefifer ; 1904 — Mable Bope, Wil- 
liam Bope, Jr., Fred Ortman, Kathryn 
Haver, Mary Bauer, Efiie Peters, and Flor- 
ence Miller; 1905 — Carl Berry, Nannie 
Shell, Bessie Taylor, Pearl Leach, Joe Bow- 
man, John Q. Miller, Carrie Dauterman 
and Orrin Mast; 1906 — Arthur Smith, Will 
Harshbarger, Lee Bibler, Lester Dauter- 
man, Alice Mast, Stanley Miller, Annie 
Musheter, Lola Frye and Charles Fenster- 
maker; 1907 — Leslie Braley, Wilbur 
Schaefifer, Dora Miller, Dewitt Sperry, Rus- 
sel Bope, Oliver Bope, Clara Hofifman, 
Verah ^Miller, Faye Sperry and Mildred 
Miller; 1909 — Haver Brison, Ethel Mur- 
phy, Chester Thomen, Nellie Smith and Grace 
Miller; 1910 — Geraldine Braley, Rhea 
Bope, Bessie Hood, Blanche Bibler, Tre- 
olyn Click, Ara Miller and Whitmer Hoo- 



ver; 1911— Neal Bibler, Gertrude Click, 
Maggie Eder, Leon Fenstermaker, Ralph 
Miller, Helen Parash, Viola Reinchild, 
Merl Hamm, Edna Bope and Benton 
Spurgeon; Seniors, 1912 — Birdie Haver, 
Wert Bauer, Ralph McGill, Laverne Mast, 
Florence Gill, Nellie Miller, Geo. Shell. Jr., 
Clearland Haver, Homer Hite and Ethel 
Watson. 

List of elementary teachers: Edward 
Wood, Pleasantville; Gladys Smith, Pleas- 
antville; L. M. Heiston, Pleasantville; 
Carrie Dauterman, Thurston ; Arthur B. 
Smith, Thurston; Nellie Smith, Thurston; 
Edith Osbourne, Thurston; Lela Work; 
Thurston; Alice Work, Thurston; Cora 
Schaefifer, Carroll; Bertha Outcalt, Basil; 
Mildred Miller, Millersport; Hayden Mc- 
Laughlin, Millersport (half time) ; Mary 
Hufifman, Millersport, Clara Price, Balti- 
more; Chester Thomen, Baltimore; and 
Ina Hoover, New Salem, Ohio. 

High school teachers: Gladys Jones, 
Florence Miller. John Goldsworthy, M. E. 
Osborne, superintendent, half time in teach- 
ing. 

Township Officers 
The township officers of Walnut town- 
ship are: L. H. Solilay, clerk; trustees: 
George H. Miller, president, J. H. Welker, 
W. E. Zollinger, treasurer; Denna Trigg, 
constable: Stanley Hartman, assessor; 
John Foust. Members of the Board of 
Education: W. H. Shafifer, C. C. Bendium, 
G. N. Taylor, J. H. Smith. E. E. Norris. 
Ditch supervisor, L. P. Huffman. Justices 
of the peace— B. F. Turley, Mathias Miller 
and Peter Dauterman. 

LODGES 

The Knights of Pythias Lodge was in- 
stituted in Thurston on the 28th day of 



202 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



May, 1890, with the following charter mem- 
bers : W. F. Hood, B. T. Belt, W. H. War- 
ner, Thomas Murphy, E. D. Snyder, F. F. 
Stokes, W. W. Bope, H. E. Miller, W. M. 
Snyder, P. Howard, G. W. Seifert, L. B. 
Spang, Nathan Tooker, W. W. Marlow, W. 
Hiles, Kirk Seifert, E. E. Miller, S. M. Mil- 
ler, L. C. Smith, Ambrose Miller and John 
Gulp. The present officers are S. R. Hart- 
man, Ghancellor Gommander; Ray Snyder, 
Vice Ghancellor; D. N. Miller, Prelate; A. D. 
Friedley, Master of Work; Glifif Foulk, 
Master of Arms; P. G. Wright, Inner 
Guard; Dan Hiles, Outer Guard; W. M. 
Shafifer, Keeper of Records; J. R. Shaffer, 
Master of Finance ; J. E. Foust, Master of 
Exchequer. Total number of members, 58. 
Ghickasaw Tribe, No. 100, I. O. R. M., 
was instituted in Thurston, Ohio, on Jan- 
uary 5, 1895, with the following charter 
members : P. Aimer Howard, S. E. Gripps, 
G. M. Rowley, R. Norris, E. E. Hile, J. G. 
Hartman, Herb Bope, John Plummer, J. 
M. Weaver, L. D. England, L. F. Stokes, 
W. W. Bope, Frank Washburne, Arthur 
Peters, E. E. Montgomery, J. W. Walker, 
John Palmer, E. W. Proctor, E. N. Heston, 
G. D. Hile, H. E. Benton, D. N. Belt, \Y. 
L. Buchannon, James Walters, D. W. Hil- 
liard, W. A. Rudesill, W. F. Hood, D. D. 



Fouck, G. B. Ruffner, W. S. RufTner, Mil- 
ton Jenkins, T. Duffel, John Huston, John 
Snider, W. H. Shaffer, W. W. Waddell, B. 
E. Shaffer, W. H. Keller, James Waddell, 
W. M. Boyer, W. M. Snyder, G. W. Heft, 
E. D. Snyder, Isaac Weedon, S. L. Pruden, 
W. M. Hiles, F. M. Murphy, G. M. Foulk, 
M. Grosh, G. R. Nighturne, L. L. Norris, 
Joel Tisman, and Harry Sandman. The 
present officers are Guy Hile, Sachem ; J. 
E. Foust, Senior Sagamore ; Elmer Hile, 
Junior Sagamore ; S. R. Hartman, Prophet ; 
J. R. Snyder, Ghief of Records ; L. L. 
Norris, Keeper of Wampum ; John Miller, 
Guardian of Wigwam; N. Norris, Guardian 
of Forest. Total number of members, 
sixty-one. 

The Degree of Pocahontas, Ghickopee 
Gouncil, No. 140. — The present officers are: 
Prophetess, Maude Bope; Pocahontas, 
Agnes England; Wenona, Goldie Snyder; 
Powatan, Ivan Miller; Keeper of Records, 
Flora Snyder ; Keeper of Wampum, Garo- 
line Looker. 

I. O. of R. M.— Ghickasaw Tribe, No. 
100, of Thurston, Ohio. — Prophet, Stanley 
Hartman ; Sachem, Guy Hite ; Sr. Saga- 
more, J. E. Foust ; Jr. Sagamore, Elmer 
Foust; Ghief of Records, J. R. Snyder; 
Keeper of Wampum, L. L. Norris. 



CHAPTER VII 



ECONOMIC FORCES 

Geological History of the County — The Three Geologic Periods — Geologic Formations — The 
Streams and Drainage — The Soil — Botany of Fairfield County — Oil and Gas Fields. 

of some of the hills and partially filling many 
of the valleys. 

The Three Periods in the Geological History 
of Fairfield County 

Taking all these into consideration, the 
geological history of the county thus falls 
readily into three periods, ( i ) the period when 
the region lay below the waves of the ocean, 
during which the rocks were laid down as 
sands and muds on the ocean floor; (2) a 
period, beginning with the uplift of this sea 
bottom, during which the region was land, 
and during which the hills and valleys were 
carved; (3) the glacial period in which much 
of the country was covered by the margin of 
an ice sheet and during which much foreign 
material, rock, gravel, clay, etc., was brought 
into the county, filling many of the deeper 
valleys which had been formed in the preced- 
ing period to depths sometimes of 2(X) or 300 
feet. 

The changes which mark each of these 
periods were, to a greater or less degree, con- 
tinental in extent. That is, they were experi- 
enced over large areas extending far beyond 
the boundaries of Ohio or even of the United 
States. The events of any one period have 
been determined by studies carried on by many 



THE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD 
COUNTY 

(By Jesse E. Hyde.) 

An account of the geology of an area, such 
as Fairfield County, is expected to include a 
description of the rocks which are found within 
its boundaries and some account of how and 
when they were formed. But it should in- 
clude more than that. It is a matter of more 
or less common knowledge that the rocks, the 
"hard" rocks, of this county were formed on 
the floor of an old ocean ; it should include an 
account of how these rocks became land by 
an uplift of the continent and the retreatal 
of the oceans to the present coasts, how the 
rocks were then attacked by streams flowing 
over the newly-emerged land surface and how 
the hills and valleys were carved from them. 
We know, also, that after the hills and valleys 
had been developed, almost as we find them 
at present, the ice cap which at present sur- 
rounds the north pole became tremendously ex- 
panded, covering most of the North American 
continent. This ice sheet reached as far south 
as Kentucky in one place and its margin lay 
across central Ohio. It altered in many places 
the landscape which had previously been 
formed by the streams, scraping ofif the tops 



203 



204 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



men in all parts of North America, working 
separately or in conjunction with each other. 
Certain facts may be readily determined at one 
point, and perhaps at only one, others may be 
gathered elsewhere; the contributions of all 
of these workers have been gradually brought 
together, item by item, until the geological 
history of North America is now quite well 
known. 

Just as it is impossible to adequately de- 
scribe the history of the white man's occupa- 
tion of Fairfield County without treating it 
as a part of the conquest of the great north- 
west, just so it is impossible to narrate the 
geological development without considering it 
as merely a very small part of the vast areas 
which have been involved in the development 
of the continent. 

It is true that one might give a list of the 
geological formations found in the county in 
the order of their occurrence, with a catalog 
of their characters and a list of places where 
they may be seen to advantage. In exactly the 
same way, one might write the history of the 
county, by giving a list of all the prominent 
men who have lived there and the names of 
the towns and when they were founded and 
who was elected to county offices and when. 
But what would such a history be without the 
name of Sherman, a name which has had lit- 
tle to do with the history of the county be- 
cause the men who bore it were too big to 
be interested in local affairs! Or how could 
tiie history of the county during the Civil War 
be adequately pictured without the great back- 
ground of nation-wide strife tentatix'ely un- 
derstood? Or how could the development of 
Lancaster be written without the mention of 
those highways of commerce which extend far 
beyond the county boundaries, and have kept 
it in touch with the outside world, first Zane's 



Trace, later tlie Zanesville and Maysville pike, 
then the canal, then the railroads? Just so, 
the geology of the county can be understood 
only with the evolution of eastern North 
America and to understand the succession of 
events during any one of the three great 
periods just mentioned, the behavior of large 
land masses or ocean bodies must be traced. 

But just as there are episodes in the his- 
tory of the human occupation of the county 
which are of no interest outside of its con- 
fines, so there are occurrences in the geology 
of the county which, in themselves, may often 
be of no general interest, but of exceptional 
local interest. These local occurrences or in- 
cidents have been controlled and determined 
to some extent by local conditions, Init in many 
instances, they have been the result of some 
much broader condition or change in condi- 
tions or force which was active over wide 
areas, sometimes over much of the northern 
hemisphere. 

I. The Paleozoic Period of Rock Forma- 
tion in Eastern North America. 

Four great eras are recognized in the his- 
tory of the earth as follows, the youngest be- 
ing at the top and including the present : 

Cenozoic 
Mesozoic 

Permian 

Coal Measures, or Pennsyl- 
vanian 

Sub Carboniferous or Mis- 
sissippian 
De\onian 
Silurian 
Ordovician 

Cambrian 

I. 

Pre Cambrian 



Paleozoic 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



205 



The oldest of these, the Pre Cambrian, is 
made up of very old, highly altered, non-fos- 
siliferous sediments and igneous rocks, which 
form the floor on which the fossiliferous rocks 
rest. They are very complexly folded and 
much remains to be learned about them. None 
are known in position on the surface within 
hundreds of miles of Fairfield County, but 
practically every boulder of the granitic type 
found in the county was carried from the vast 
areas of the Pre Cambrian rocks of Canada 
by the ice sheets of the glacial period, as we 
shall see presently. On general principles, 
these rocks must form the floor of Ohio, but 
the great thickness of limestone, shales and 
sandstones which are found at the surface in 
Ohio has never been penetrated by any of the 
deep wells in the state, with the possible ex- 
ception of one recently drilled at Waverly. 

At the bottom of the Paleozoic system of 
rocks, when exposed, are found the earliest 
fossiliferous rocks known, the Cambrian. 
These contain practically the first trace of life 
remains which can be detected in the rocks. 
A number of other large sub-divisions of the 
Paleozoic are made on the grounds of vari- 
ation in fossils, as shown by the table just 
given. .All of these except the Cambrian are 
found exposed at the surface at one point or 
another in Ohio, the oldest in the southwest- 
ern part, the youngest in the eastern part of 
the state. 

During Paleozoic time, the most of the cen- 
tral and eastern parts of the United States was 
a great shallow sea, on the floor of which 
limestone and shales and sandstones accumu- 
lated to great thicknesses. Land lay to the 
eastward, a belt of mountainous country just 
east of the location of the present Appalachian 
belt and probably extending well out into the 
Atlantic. The eastern part of this great sea 
covered the present Appalachian region. 



Those mountains had not yet been formed. 
Land also lay to the northward over much of 
what is now Canada, the northern shore of the 
sea falling, in general, somewhere just north 
of the present Great Lakes. The western 
shore was probably, on the whole, no great dis- 
tance west of the present Mississippi River, 
although it varied greatly in position from time 
to time. 

From time to time, portions, or even the 
whole of this great basin, were drained, and 
became land, but only for short periods. Thus, 
it is apparent that the shores of one geological 
moment need not necessarily be the same as 
those of the next, but were continually shift- 
ing. However, it was a marine basin most 
of the time, and its bottom must have sunk 
very slowly in order to allow the accumulation 
of such thicknesses of sediments as were 
formed — 30,000 feet are known in the 
Paleozoic of the Appalachian belt. 

It was in this basin and during Paleozoic 
time, that the rocks of Fairfield County, to 
be described presently, were fomied. 

At the end of the Paleozoic occurred one 
of the most profound periods of mountain 
formation that the earth has witnessed. Of 
the several ranges formed at that time, the 
Appalachian System is the only one of inter- 
est to us. The Appalachians were formed by 
the lateral compression, folding, and upward 
squeezing of the very thick sediments which 
had been accumulating in the eastern part of 
the interior Paleozoic sea. In places the old 
ocean floor, which lay near sea level, was 
forced upward to an elevation of over five 
miles. The remainder of the basin was up- 
lifted, became land and has largely remained 
so since. So far as is known no part of Ohio 
has been below the ocean's waves at any sub- 
sequent time. 

With this uplift the rocks of Ohio which 



206 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



had accumulated in horizontal beds, were also These ten formations from the top downward 
tipped slightly toward the east and southeast are as follows :f 



Mississippian | 
Sub Carboniferous 



Devonian 



Pennsylvanian or Coal Measures. 

ID Pottsville formation unconformity 



9 Maxville limestone 

Logan formation J 

5 Cuyahoga formation 
4 Sunbury shale 
3 Berea grit 
2 Bedford shale 

I Ohio Shale 



8 Vinton member 
7 Allensville member 
6 Byer member 



so that the rock formations dip in that direc- 
tion, on the average, 20 or 30 feet to the mile. 
The present surface of the land bevels across 
these tipped beds in a much more nearly 
horizontal position (neglecting irregularities 
of topography) and thus exposes the older 
(formerly deeper) rocks in the western part 
of the state and the younger ones in the east- 
ern part. 

The Rock Formations of the County.* 
Ten geological formations are readily rec- 
ognized in the county and one of these, the 
Cuyahoga, is composed of four distinct mem- 
bers which are, however, obscure and com- 
plicated in their relationship to each other, 
hence no attempt is here made to subdivide it. 



I. The Ohio shale lies at the top of the 
Devonian in Ohio. It is a black shale which 
weathers up into thin plates and slaty slabs 



*The following account of the rock formations is 
introduced by permission of the State Geologist of Ohio. 

The information used was largely gathered in 
connection with the work of the Geological Survey of 
Ohio and is to be published more elaborately in a 
bulletin of the Survey. The names Vinton, Allensville 
and Byer are here used as the names of geological 
formations for the first time. However, their formal 
proposal and definition must be reserved until the ap- 
pearance of this bulletin. While such practice is not 
usual, it is held to be desirable in this case although to 
be regretted. 



+The naming of geological formations is a matter 
in which those only casually interested in the science 
are not in sympathy with the professional geologist. 
The number of distinct sedimentary formations now 
known in the United States is very great. There are 
over so in Ohio exclusive of coal seams which have 
been named. These are all distinct, yet they are almost 
wholly limestones, sandstones and shales. It is readily 
apparent that to call a formation a sandstone, as a 
yellow sandstone, or by any purely descriptive term 
does not distinguish it from many other sandstones 
which may exist. To obviate the confusion which 
would necessarily arise, each formation is designated by 
a geographical name, the name of a town or river or 
even a state where it is especially well shown, and 
once such a name is used it is never again used inten- 
tionally for any other formation, no matter where in 
North America it may be, or of what age. In accord- 
ance with this plan, some of the older, non-geographical 
names are being dropped, as for example "Coal meas- 
ures." This is a name which is generally familiar to 
people not especially interested in geology. But there 
are half a dozen coal-bearing formations in North 
America of different ages, each equally eligible to be 
called "Coal measures." Hence the name is being re- 
placed by the purely geographic name, Pennsylvanian. 
It is utterly impossible for the geologist to use the 
simple, non-geographical expressions which have fre- 
quently become ingrained into the common language of 
the people, hence, since the mountain will not come to 
Mahomet, the laiety must adapt themselves to the usage 
of the geologist. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



207 



on the outcrop. It owes its color to the pres- 
ence of a large content of carbonaceous mate- 
rial, in fact, it is so rich in this that elsewhere 
in the state outcrops have been known to take 
fire and burn slowly for weeks. 

This formation is quite thick. It is usually 
about 700 feet in the gas wells in central Fair- 
field County but it thickens rapidly to the 
eastward and at Marietta is over 2,500 feet in 
a deep well, the bottom not having been 
reached. The outcrop of this formation ex- 
tends across the state in a belt from the Penn- 
sylvania line to the Ohio river in Adams 
County. If present on the surface in Fair- 
field County it will be found only in the north- 
western part. One-half mile south of Canal 
Winchester it is exposed under the bridge over 
Little Walnut Creek, and probably it is present 
in the angle -of the county one and one-half 
miles northwest of Lithopolis. 

The conditions which prevailed when the 
Ohio shale was formed are not very well un- 
derstood, but probably the water was of con- 
siderable depth with much floating plant life, 
mostly sea weeds, just as in the Sargasso Sea 
of the North Atlantic today. This floating 
sea weed by dropping to the bottom or shed- 
ding its spores, furnished the abundant organic 
material which characterizes the formation. 
The water must have been quiet, for there are 
no sands in the formation in central Ohio. 

2. The Bedford fonuafion. This overlies 
the Ohio shale and is also found outcropping 
entirely across the state, the Bedford belt lying 
just southeast of the Ohio shale belt. The 
formation is about 100 feet thick and usually 
consists of gray, chocolate or reddish shales, 
which are quite soft in outcrops. It is ex- 
posed at several points in the northwestern 
part of the county within a mile and a half 
west and southwest of Lithopolis and very 
near the county line. The outcrops are all low 



banks in the beds of streamlets. A very good 
exposure can be seen half a mile southeast of 
Waterloo and two miles southeast of Canal 
Winchester in the south banks of Little Wal- 
nut creek above the bridge. 

The change from the conditions of the Ohio 
shale sea to those of the Bedford must have 
been marked. Whatever the source of the 
organic material in the former, it disappeared 
entirely, for only soft muds with no carbonace- 
ous matter were formed in the central Ohio 
Bedford sea. 

3. The Berea grit marks the institution of 
a yet more profound change in the conditions 
of the sea. It is a sandstone which is found 
extending in outcrop across the state from the 
northeast corner to the Ohio river and varying 
from a few feet to 150 feet in thickness. Fur- 
thermore, its presence beneath all of eastern 
Ohio and into West Virginia has been proved 
by the drill of the oil man. The bottom of 
the old sea must have been uplifted so that 
the water was very shallow for the sandstones 
show abundant evidence of shallow water con- 
ditions, such as ripple marks. While this state- 
ment must suffice for the present needs, it is 
certain that the series of events was much more 
complex at this period than a simple shoaling 
of the water and probably much of the old 
basin became land temporarily; certainly some 
of it did in northern Ohio. There is very good 
reason to believe that the northwestern part at 
least of Fairfield County was above the waters 
for a short time just before the Berea was 
formed. 

This horizon is as well known to the oil 
and gas well drillers of Fairfield County as 
the Clinton gas sand itself, but it will probably 
be a surprise to many to know that it is found 
out-cropping in the county. Such is, however, 
the case. It is well shown at several points in 
the runs southwest of Lithopolis, notably on 



208 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the S. E. Hartman and Smith farms, having 
been quarried in a small way on the former. 
On the Smith farm it directly overlies the 
Bedford shale just described and both are 
well shown. It is also well shown in Quarry 
Run at Lithopolis, half a mile below the quar- 
ries and at the north end of the village. 

The Berea in this vicinity is thinner than at 
any other point in the state, from two to six 
feet. As found here, it is a moderately fine 
grained sandstone of a pleasing, light bluish 
gray color, but wholly worthless for building 
stone because badly broken by bedding planes 
and because it discolors rapidly. Ugly red- 
dish brown stains frequently mask its natural 
color entirely in the outcrops. The bed gradu- 
ally sinks below the surface of the land in pass- 
ing southeastward and in central and eastern 
Fairfield County is found only at a depth of 
several hundred feet. 

4. The Siaibitry shale marks another great 
change. It is a black carbonaceous shale e.x- 
actly like the Ohio shale but never over 25 or 
30 feet thick. It is found everywhere over- 
lying the Berea grit, and it can be seen at sev- 
eral points near Lithopolis. The best one is 
in Quarry Run at tlie north end of the village 
where a bank of it 15 or 20 feet high rests on 
the Berea sandstone. Careful search in the 
lowermost beds of the shale at this point will 
reward one with several varieties of fossils be- 
longing to the general Lingiila, (the elongate, 
rather oblong forms) and Lingiilodiscina (the 
circular forms marked with concentric rings). 
These are quite sufficient proof that the bed 
was formed in the ocean, as the nearest liv- 
ing relatives of these forms cannot live any- 
where else. 

This bed means that after the Berea was 
formed and long ages after the Ohio shale 
epoch had closed, exactly the same conditions 
were resumed which had prevailed then but 



at no intervening stage. But they did not last 
long, and were quickly succeeded by the sand- 
stone and clayey shales of the Cuyahoga, which 
overlie the Sunbury. 

The three formations just described, the 
Bedford, Berea and Sunbury, and the Ohio 
shales of which the top is probably barely rep- 
resented, are known only at the surface of this 
county in the vicinity of Lithopolis, south of 
Little Walnut Creek. They dip toward the 
eastward and pass below drainage within two 
and one-half, or at the most three miles, east 
of Canal Winchester. Northeast of Canal 
Winchester, over the whole northwest corner 
of Violet township, the streams cut low enough 
that all of these formations ought to be trav- 
ersed, but the writer has seen no outcrops in 
his very limited experience in that direction. 
All the streams appear to flow on drift, that is, 
over the clay and gravel brought down by the 
glaciers during the ice invasion, as will be ex- 
plained presently. 

5. The Cuyahoga Foniiation. This, too, 
extends entirely across the state but is much 
more variable than the others. It varies in 
thickness from 300 to 600 feet and was laid 
down under conditions which differed widely 
from place to place. Typically it is a clay 
shale with occasional thin sandstones scattered 
through it, but under the influence of local 
conditions, such probably as sand-laden 
streams which flowed into the old ocean, it 
may be made up almost wholly of sandstones. 

In the southwestern part of Fairfield 
County, between Wyandot Junction and Tarle- 
ton on Salt Creek, there are many banks, some 
of them 20 or 30 feet high, which show the 
shale phase of the formation very well, but 
over most of the county it is made up largely 
of sandstones. Mt. Pleasant at Lancaster is 
composed wholly of sandstones which are Cuy- 
ahoga in age, and it requires considerable elas- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



209 



ticity of imagination to believe that the mas- 
sive, coarse, pebbly sandstones found here were 
deposited simultaneously with the shales on 
Salt Creek. Such is, howexer, the case. The 
coarse sandstones which form the ledges in all 
the hills of the southern and central part of 
the county, well shown for example at Jacob's 
Ladder, Christmas Rocks, Kettle Hills, and 
thru the ravines east and southeast of the Boys' 
Industrial School to the cliffs in the hills about 
Sugar Grove, all of the stone in these ledges 
belongs to the Cuyahoga formation. Or, to 
state it somewhat differently, Fairfield and 
Hocking counties owe their magnificent rock 
scenery to the massive sandstones and con- 
glomerates of the Cuyahoga formation. 

The formation is 600 to 625 feet thick in 
Fairfield County, as shown by the gas wells, 
but only the upper 100 or 150 feet is commonly 
seen, that is, the ledge forming part. Below 
this, and usually covered by the lower hill 
slopes is a series of coarse sandstones and 
shales which form the middle part of the for- 
mation. The lowest part, 120 feet thick, is 
best shown in the Ouarry Run at Lithopolis. 
It consists, that at least, of moderately fine 
grained sandstones and shales, some of the 
sandstones reaching a thickness of two or three 
feet. Several of them are of value and have 
been quarried and marketed quite extensively 
by Mr. Joseph Leyndecker. One of the beds 
in this quarry which is a soft light bluish gray 
in color, is highly valued as a building stone 
and, it is said, received a prize at the Colum- 
bian Exposition at Chicago in 1893. 

The beds of the lower part of the Cuyahoga, 
as shown on Ouarry Run, are very regular and 
lie flat. But in the middle and upper part of 
the formation they present some very inter- 
esting and remarkable structures. A little ob- 
servation will show to any one who cares to 
attempt it, that the beds are there inclined to- 



ward the northward, northeastward or to the 
northwestward, but never in a southerly direc- 
tion. This is most prominent in the massive 
ledges which are the source of the beautiful 
scenery of the county, altho it can be detected 
in the sandstones and shales which underlie 
them when such can be seen (as at the mouth 
of Clear Creek in Hocking County). In the 
ledges, these dips are commonly at angles of 
10° to 15° and even as high as 25°. 

An exception must be made to this state- 
ment. The beds at the top of the formation, 
that is, the uppermost 10 to 20 feet, commonly 
lie flat, as does the top of the formation. (The 
general regional dip of 20 to 40 feet per mile 
is, of course, an exception to this last state- 
ment, but it is inappreciable in comparison 
with the 10° to 20° dip lower down.) These 
flat beds can be seen near the top of Mt. Pleas- 
ant, for the highest beds there exposed are 
practically at the top of the Cuyahoga, while 
lower down and especially on the north side, 
the northward dips become prominent. The 
same relationship is even more clearly shown 
in the head of the ravine above the railroad 
station at the Boys' Industrial School. 

This structure is the typical structure of a 
delta. Whenever a stream carrying large 
amounts of gra\'el and sand empties into a 
body of quiet water, a delta is formed. The 
material which it carries is dropped by the 
checking of the stream current and it slides 
down the slope of the bottom until it comes to 
rest. This material accumulates in an inclined 
position due to the method of "dumping" un- 
til it is built up to the water level, when the 
stream is forced to carry it forward over its 
first formed deposits to the new edge of the 
deposit in order to drop it. The delta is thus 
built forward, with a steep slope toward the 
open water, down which the material slides as 
it is dropped. The beds of the delta thus come 



210 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to be steeply inclined although the deposit as a 
whole is nearly horizontal. 

This is just the way the Cuyahoga sand- 
stones of Fairfield County were formed.* 

The general northerly dips indicate that the 
material came from the southward and there- 
fore that the shore line at this time lay in that 
direction and the open water lay to the north- 
ward. 

Other features in the Scioto Valley indicate 
that the shore lay more to the southeastward. 
The coarseness of the material (pebbles one 
to two inches in diameter are abundant) indi- 
cates that it could have been at no great dis- 
tances. But unfortunately the Cuyahoga is 
covered by later rocks in that direction and it 
's impossible to find actual traces of the old 
shore line. Its position can only be inferred 
from the structure. 

The Cuyahoga formation covers the west- 
ern half or more of the county (the area of the 
three lower formations alone excepted) and is 
found in the lower slopes of the hills for some 
distance east of the Hocking Valley. Its top 
gradually dips toward the eastward, as do all 
the formations, and a few miles east of the 
Hocking River, it is entirely below drainage 
and the Logan formation which overlies the 
Cuyahoga forms the hills. The top of the Cuy- 
ahoga is a very easy horizon to detect, the 
coarse, harsh conglomerates and sandstones 
contrasting strongly with the rather soft, fine 
grained, yellow sandstones of the Byer mem- 
ber of the Logan. 

In addition to the localities already men- 



*Strictly speaking, certain considerable modifications 
must be introduced in order to agree with certain other 
structures observed, but it would introduce too great 
complexity to discuss them here. The whole is fully 
treated in the writer's forthcoming volume on the 
Waverly formations of central and southern Ohio, to be 
issued by the Geological Survey of Ohio. This state- 
ment will serve, however, for the purpose of any but 
the specialist. 



tioned, the coarse sandstones of Chestnut 
Ridge in the northwestern part of the county, 
the more massive and resistent beds in the 
little gorge at Rock Mill west of Hooker and 
the conglomerates in the deep road cut at the 
top of Shimp's hill are all sandstones of the 
Cuyahoga formation, At the point last 
named, the northwardly dipping delta struct- 
.ure is very favorably shown. 

The principal quarries which have been 
opened in Fairfield County from time to time 
have been in the sandstones of this formation. 
In fact, no quarry has been opened in any 
other except to get out stone to build a chim- 
ney or for some other equally local purpose. 
A few years ago the quarry industry was 
prominent but it has declined. The Alleghany 
quarry, three miles east of Lancaster, once 
operated by F. C. Neeb who came from Pitts- 
burg, is now apparently wholly abandoned, but 
in its day it was a very important enterprise. 
The Crook quarry which borders the hills on 
the east wall of the Hocking Valley half way 
between Lancaster and Sugar Grove, has not 
been operated for many years, but a large 
amount of stone has been won there. The 
Sharp quarries at Sugar Grove and at several 
points between there and the Hocking County 
line have not now been active for several 
years. A quarry in the hills east of Hocking 
River and perhaps half a mile south of Craw- 
fis Collegiate Institute, which is operated by 
the Sharp company and ships considerable 
quantities of stone, is probably the most ex- 
tensive producer at present, while a few near 
Lancaster furnish the stone necessary for 
foundations and other local demands. 

The stone which is yielded by the sand- 
stones is unexcelled in quality for some pur- 
poses, especially for massive work such as 
bridge abutments, and retaining walls. Its 
durability is unquestioned. Since the aban- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



211 



donment of the canal, the wooden gates of the 
locks have rotted and fallen away and their 
hinges are thickly coated with rust ; the mortar 
in the lock walls is crumbling and the loosened 
blocks of stone are being pushed from their 
place by the young trees growing behind them, 
but the tool marks on their sides are almost 
as sharp as when they were taken from the 
quarries more than 70 years ago. 

The stone to be used for building purposes 
needs careful selection but that it can be so 
adapted with success is attested by the City 
Hall and County Court House at Lancaster, 
the fomier of the rough dressed stone, the 
latter smooth dressed. It is apt to carry un- 
sightly blotches of iron which are disastrous 
to architectural effects, unless such selection is 
rigidly enforced. 

The Logan Formation. The base of the Lo- 
gan formation marks another great change in 
the conditions of the old ocean basin. The 
Byer member is made up of very fine sand- 
stones and there must have been a deepening 
of the water and a retreatal of the shore line 
to a position farther south and east than was 
held during the Cuyahoga time. 

This condition of deep, quiet water was 
maintained throughout Logan time, except 
during the Allensville stage, when there was 
shoaling, but either it was not such a deep 
water as that of the Bedford shale, or else the 
material dumped into it was of a different 
nature, for the sediments are mostly very fine 
sandstones. 

The name Logan was given to this forma- 
tion from the town of Logan by Prof. E. B. 
Andrews, one of the earlier members of the 
State Geological survey and a one time resi- 
dent of Lancaster. The formation is now sub- 
divided into three distinct members. 

6. The Byer Sandstone, the lowest of these, 
is a fine grained, rather soft, yellow sandstone, 



wholly devoid of structure, such as is found in 
the Cuyahoga sandstones and therefore not 
nearly so interesting. It generally carries fos- 
sils but seldom in abundance. It is 40 to 50 
feet thick. It can best be seen as the stripping 
in the tops of the cliffs at the quarries men- 
tioned in the closing paragraphs on the Cuya- 
hoga but the lower part only is shown there. 
One of the best outcrops of this, and of the 
entire Logan, is in the side of the road which 
goes over Pleasant Hill, five miles southeast 
of Lancaster, in Section 23, Berne Township. 
A good outcrop of the upper part of the mem- 
ber is shown one and a half miles north, north- 
west of West Rushville on the Basore farm. 
Others can be seen at various points on the 
ridge between Lancaster and the Boys' Indus- 
trial School where it just caps the hills. In 
fact this ridge is almost the westernmost oc- 
currence of the Logan in the county, the west- 
ward rise of the rocks carrying it rapidly above 
the tops of the present hills. 

The Byer sandstone is known to occur as 
far north as Newark and extends southward 
to the Ohio river, reaching a thickness in 
places of over 150 feet. 

7. The Allensz'ille Bed which rests on the 
Byer member, marks a period of shoaling. It 
consists of very coarse, rather loose reddish 
sands, which are remarkably uniformly 
bedded. The sea floor was probably uplifted 
and the coastal conditions spread well out into 
what had been the centre of the basin. The 
coarse sands are interbedded with some fine 
grained sands and there is one shale bed pres- 
ent from four to eight feet thick which is 
commonly quite fossiliferous and is found in 
eastern Fairfield and southern Licking coun- 
ties. The Allensville member has also been 
traced from Newark to the Ohio river but it 
is never over 20 to 25 feet thick, its thickness 
in this county. 



212 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The member is found thruout most of the 
eastern part of the county but is best shown at 
various points along Little Rush Creek for 
two miles above and below Rushville station ; 
it is found just above the level of the creek 
and can be readily distinguished by the pres- 
ence of the coarse sandstones. The fossil- 
iferous shale bed which is found in it is there 
excellently exposed and will prove an excel- 
lent collecting ground for any one interested 
in this side of geology. Another good outcrop 
of the fossiliferous shale bed can be found in 
the bed of a small creek one-half mile due 
north of Colfax and just west of the road. 

East of Little Rush Creek, the dip of the 
strata carries the Allensville below drainage 
so that it is not exposed. Westward from 
Rush Creek it rises gradually until it is found 
at the hill tops, three or four miles east of 
Lancaster. It may be seen at t^e very top of 
the hill where the road goes over the crest on 
the east side of Pleasant Run a mile north of 
the Zanesville & Maysville pike, and, again, 
on the Berne Station road in the road cut on 
the top of the hill five and one-half miles east 
of Lancaster and a mile east of where it leaves 
the Zanesville & Maysville pike. 

8. TIic J'inton Member. The topmost mem- 
ber of the Logan formation and of the W'a- 
verly series consists of fine grained yellowish 
sandstones and sandy shales. It marks the re- 
sumption of conditions very like those which 
held when the Byer sandstone was formed. It 
is found throughout all the hills of Rush Creek 
and Richland Townships, and in the higher 
hills just west of them. It is very well shown 
along Little Rush Creek below Rushville, but 
probably the rather inaccessible walls of this 
pretty little gorge are known to but few. A 
more familiar occurrence is in the roadside 
cuts where the pike winds up the east side of 
Little Rush Creek valley to Rushville. All of 



the steep shale banks there exposed are in the 

Vinton member. 

The Vinton member, like the other three is 
known from the central part of the state to the 
Ohio ri\er, but it is occasionally wanting for 
a reason to be explained presently. Commonly 
it is 50 to 100 feet thick, but in Fairfield 
County it reaches 150 feet. 

9. The Maxvillc Limestone. The next for- 
mation which is represented in the county is 
the Maxville limestone. This formation is 
found only in scattered patches along the out- 
crops from Central Ohio to the river. A large 
and fossiliferous area is found along Jonathan 
creek in Perry and Muskingum counties, 
where it is perhaps 30 feet thick, but with this 
exception, they are all small. One of these 
areas is found in western Perry Coimty just 
east of the Fairfield County line and a corner 
of this patch extends for less than a mile into 
Richland Township, just east of Rushville. 
Xo good outcrops are known at present, but 
it has been worked slightly for road material 
near the line and a short distance south of the 
Zanesville and Maysville pike. 

The Maxville limestone is the record of an- 
other great change in conditions, for thruout 
the entire \\^averly time, no limestone was 
formed. In the Mississippi Valley there is a 
great series of limestone lying above the rocks 
of Waverly Age and below those of Maxville 
Age which is entirely unrepresented in Ohio. 
There is no question but that Fairfield County 
was elevated above the ocean and became land 
after the Waverly was formed, and remained 
in that condition for more than half of the 
Mississippian or, Sub-Carboniferous period, 
not being submerged again until Maxville 
time. This is known, not only from the 
absence of these sediments, but from the irreg- 
ular surface of the Waverly on which the 
Maxville lies, which shows conclusive evi- 



I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



213 



dence of having been eroded while it was a 
land surface. 

Following the formation of the Maxville, 
the whole of eastern North America was again 
reelevated, became land and was subjected to 
considerable erosion which removed the Max- 
ville, except in the few areas where it is 
found, and considerable of the Waverly. In 
places, in Jackson County especially, the old 
valleys in the surface of the Waverly are still 
preserved, although filled with rocks of the 
next succeeding coal period and difficult to 
trace. Some of these are 200 feet deep. 

There is little evidence of this erosion sur- 
face in Fairfield County. It is clear that the 
eastern part of the county (the relationship 
in the western part cannot be determined since 
all the associated rocks have been removed) 
must have been an area of relatively high 
land, for the whole Logan formation is there 
about 225 feet thick and in Thoren Township 
of Perry County must be 300 feet thick. In 
places in southern Ohio where the erosion was 
strongest, this thickness was entirely removed, 
and nobody can tell how much more, before 
the Coal-measures were formed. 

10. The Coal-Measurcs. There is yet one 
more great change in the conditions of sedi- 
mentation to be recorded. After the old 
Waverly land surface had been deeply carved 
by the streams in many parts of Ohio, although 
not in Fairfield County, it seems probable that 
it commenced to sink gradually. The streams 
flowing in the valleys were checked by the 
quiet waters they encountered where they had 
been able to erode previously and dropped 
their loads of sand and mud, generally filling 
the old valleys with the sediments which are 
formed on a valley floor. The sinking prob- 
ably continued very slowly and the streams 
were able to fill the valleys they had just cut 
with this material, until they covered up even 



the very tops of the old hills of the Waverly 
land surface. This was the beginning of the 
Coal-measures period, and these conditions 
continued until many hundreds of feet of sedi- 
ments had been piled above the buried hills 
and valleys of this old surface. 

Much of the eastern United States lay very 
near sea level, probably as an immense broad 
flat plain, which was slowly sinking and as 
gradually being built up by the streams. 
Sometimes broad areas would be converted 
into swamps and the vegetable matter accu- 
mulating there, as it is even now accumulating 
in the Dismal Swamp, became coal after being 
buried by more sediments. Again the ocean 
would come in for a short period and cover 
great tracts with a thin fossiliferous marine 
limestone. But for the most part the accumu- 
lation consists of sandstones and shales. 

These deposits accumulated in eastern Ohio 
to a thickness of over a thousand feet, and 
probably the present hills of Fairfield County 
were buried to this or a greater depth. This 
thickness is preserved in the downwarped 
basin of eastern Ohio, western F'ennsylvania 
and West Virginia. But the prolonged pe- 
riods of erosion which succeeded the Appala- 
chian uplift have removed it all from Fair- 
field County except a few feet of coarse sand- 
stones and shales which were formed at the 
very bottom of the deposit and which are now 
found capping the highest hills in the eastern 
part. Occasionally beds of black shale or 
even a thin seam of coal can be seen, but there 
is none whatever of any importance. 

West of Rush Creek and south of the C. 
& M. V. railroad, in the hills about Geneva, 
these rocks are found but only on the very tops 
of the hills. The same is true of the eastern 
half of Richland township, east and south of 
Rushville. East of Rush Creek in Rush Creek 
Township they may reach a thickness of 100 



214 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



feet or more. At least five great formations 
are recognized in the coal-measures of the 
eastern United States, all of them present in 
eastern Ohio, but only the base of the lowest 
and oldest one is preserved in Fairfield 
County. What an untold wealth of coal must 
have been removed from within the bounda- 
ries of the county by the ceaseless action of 
the streams which have removed all the rest! 

II. Eastern North America, and Fairfield 
County, During the Period of Erosion, 
When the Valleys Were Carved Out. 

Changes throughout eastern North Amer- 
ica. The deposition of the Coal-measures 
closes the first of the three great periods in 
the development of Fairfield County. The 
second was inaugurated by the formation of 
the Appalachians and the final retreatal of the 
sea from the entire Ohio valley region. This 
has all been outlined in a preceding paragraph. 

After this tremendous uplift, which prob- 
ably was accomplished very slowly through a 
long period of time and without any demon- 
strations of violence, there was a prolonged 
period of quiet — extremely long. The streams 
attacked the land and gradually cut it away, 
even the mountains, until the whole of the 
Appalachian mountains in places five miles 
high, were reduced to a nearly flat level plain 
above which only groups of hills and low 
mountains occasionally raised their heads be- 
cause of the presence there of harder and more 
resistant rock. Such resistant groups were 
the Catskills, the White Mountains and the 
high Appalachians of western North Caro- 
lina. All the remainder was cut away to 
nearly a plain, or to a peneplain, as the geolo- 
gist calls it, which means the same thing. 
This plain was completed by the latter part of 
the Mesozoic. 

Ohio suffered with the remainder of east- 



ern North America, but not nearly as much 
as the Appalachians because Ohio did not 
stand as high above sea level, and Fairfield 
County suffered with Ohio; it was then that 
all her precious coal seams were carried away. 
Ohio was probably nearly as flat as a floor 
with only the gentlest of hills to give relief 
to the monotony of the view. 

After this had been accomplished — and 
the time necessary to do it must have been 
almost infinite so far as the duration of hu- 
man history is concerned — most of the great 
plain occupying the eastern part of the United 
States and lying near sea level was again up- 
lifted, northern New England to 2,000 feet 
above sea level, and the Appalachian region 
fully as much or more, eastern Ohio certainly 
to over 1,200 feet and western Ohio probably 
not so much. The streams which had be- 
come sluggish on the old plain then went to 
work and carved out their present valleys and 
it is the stream valleys of this period that gave 
us the rugged New England upland, that de- 
veloped the present Appalachians where for- 
merly a plain had stretched and that gave us 
our own pretty hills. 

The J'ieiv from Mt. Pleasant and what it 
Means. It is impossible to cite here the proof 
of these great changes; very little of it rests 
within the confines of Fairfield County, but 
one bit of evidence can be shown. The next 
time, reader, that you happen to be standing 
on Mt. Pleasant, notice some of the relations 
that exist between the hills of the surround- 
ing country, even to the greatest distance to 
which you can see. Starting in the valleys, 
you will note that there are hills of various 
elevations, some low, some high. In fact, 
there is almost every degree in elevation from 
the valley floor to the level of the sky line. 
But, why do not some of these hills project 
noticeably above that sky line? There is 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



215 



irregularity up to that point and then the tops 
of the hills abruptly become extremely regu- 
lar in their elevation. Why does not an occa- 
sional one project two or three hundred feet 
above the others? It is not because there were 
no more rocks above the present ones, for at 
least i.ooo feet have been removed. It is not 
because the hill slopes end at that elevation, 
for many of those hills, like Mt. Pleasant, are 
nearly flat topped. Looking off toward the 
southward to where the Boys' Industrial 
School can be seen on the horizon, try to for- 
get that there are any valleys present. Re- 
member that the same beds as are present in 
Mt. Pleasant are present in the hills on the 
opposite side of the Hocking Valley and there 
must, therefore, have been a time when the 
valley was not there, when it had not yet 
been cut and solid rock intervened. Does 
not the sky-line resolve itself into the monot- 
ony of a plain? As a matter of fact, that 
gently undulating sky-line is all that is left 
of the old flat plain which was once the sur- 
face of Fairfield County and extended over 
all of Ohio and much of eastern North Amer- 
ica. It is now entirely dissected by streams 
and it is certain that no spot, or small area 
can be found of which one can say, "this is 
certainly a part of the old plain." It has all 
been more or less modified, but the uniformity 
of elevation remains which was its most strik- 
ing feature. 

Complexity of the Dez'elopnient. In order 
to be accurate, it is necessary to modify this 
very broad statement which implies simplicity 
of development. The history, as a matter of 
fact, has been much more complex. The old 
plain which was developed over most of east- 
ern North America, excepting the few areas 
of hard rocks noted above, was not uplifted 
from sea level to its present position at once. 
While the movements were doubtless very 

14 



gradual, it was accomplished by stages, first 
an elevation, then a very long pause, then an- 
other elevation, and probably there were three 
or four such elevations and pauses, two of 
which were very long and were felt over most 
of the area. During the first pause the streams 
cut broad, rather deep valleys in the old plain, 
and the time of quiet was long enough to al- 
low certain broad areas to become reduced to 
sea-level before the next uplift, and when this 
uplift came, these broad flat areas or wide 
valley floors were elevated high above sea level 
and the streams at once went to work on them 
also. The records of several of these stages 
have been traced over hundreds of miles es- 
pecially in the Appalachians. 

Thus, it is possible and very probable that 
the old surface in Fairfield County, now rep- 
resented by the uniform hilltops, was not the 
first, original, broad plain (the Cretaceous or 
late Mesozoic peneplain), but was formed 
during one of the later pauses in the uplift, 
and was itself more recently uplifted. This 
is one of the problems which yet await solu- 
tion. 

The Valleys of Fairfield County Originally 
Much Deeper Than Nozv. The broad flat 
floors of the larger valleys, the Hocking, Rush 
Creek, Clear Creek, etc., are today 150 to 
300 feet below the bordering hill tops. The 
highest hills seldom rise more than 400 feet 
above these bottoms. But many gas wells 
have been drilled on these valley floors which 
penetrate from 200 to over 300 feet of sand, 
gravel and clay before the real bed rock is 
encountered. This is merely a filling, the re- 
sult of the glacial period to be described next. 
This means that all the larger stream valleys 
of Fairfield County were actually cut from 
200 to 300 feet deeper than they are at present. 

This may be more fully brought home if 
the reader recalls the view which he has doubt- 



216 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



less observed many times from Mt. Pleasant. 
The top of Mt. Pleasant is about 275 feet 
above the present Hocking river, and the view 
is one of the finest to be had anywhere in Ohio. 
In the well drilled at the house of the Lancas- 
ter Athletic Club, on the public square in Lan- 
caster, 316 feet of drift filling was encountered 
by the driller before penetrating bed rock. 
This means the valley was formerly that much 
deeper and has been filled to that extent. Think 
you now what must have been the view from 
Mt. Pleasant after the streams had cut their 
deepest and before the coming of the ice, when 
the Hocking flowed in a gorge whose bottom 
was sunk 575 feet or more below the top of 
Mt. Pleasant! 

Original Directions of Stream Floivage. 
The stream valleys of that period did not differ 
alone in depth. The entire drainage system 
of Ohio and tlie adjacent states was radically 
different in direction and there have been 
many changes even in Fairfield County. For 
example, we know that the Ohio river, as such, 
did not exist. The upper part of the Ohio 
drained northward by the Allegheny river, 
since reversed in direction, to the Great Lakes 
region. That portion of it along the central- 
southern border of Ohio drained northward 
through the Scioto, since reversed in direction, 
past Circleville and then northwestward into 
Indiana. That portion of the Ohio near Cin- 
cinnati and for some distance above Cincin- 
nati drained northward into Indiana along 
lines since reversed and joined the old Scioto 
system there. With the advance of the ice 
sheet, these old outlets to the northward were 
all blocked and the waters found new outlets 
by flowing across low divides in the head- 
water regions of the three systems just men- 
tioned — and there the present Ohio river was 
formed. 

The Muskingum river did not flow south- 



ward past Zanesville as at present, but the 
entire headwaters drainage of that stream 
turned westward at Dresden and flowed 
through the abandoned, drift-filled valley 
which the main line of the Pennsylvania rail- 
road follows, as far as Newark. There it 
flowed southward down the present South 
Fork valley of the Licking and followed the 
broad deeply buried valley which is now occu- 
pied by the west end of Buckeye Lake. It 
flowed southwestward into Fairfield County 
by way of Buckeye Lake then westward past 
Basil, Baltimore and Canal Winchester, join- 
ing the northwestward flowing Scioto just 
west of the last mentioned point. The broad, 
flat, low country extending across the northern 
part of the county is but the track of this 
great valley, now filled with 300 feet or more 
of drift. 

The Hocking river, also, has been reversed. 
It formerly headed somewhere south of the 
Hocking County line and flowed northward 
past Lancaster, then northwestward, joining 
the pre-glacial Muskingum above Carroll. 
This outlet is shown by the occurrence of 260 
feet of drift in a well near Carroll. This well 
certainly is not over the deepest part of the 
old valley, but as it stands, it indicates a rock 
floor 100 feet lower at that point than at Su- 
gar Grove. This northward slope of the rock 
floor, alone, would prove the former north- 
ward course of the stream. 

III. The Period of the Ice Invasion. 

These changes in stream direction and the 
others yet to be noted were caused largely by 
the ice of the glacial period. It is now a well 
established fact among geologists that climates 
have changed from time to time in the history 
of the earth. Usually they have been much 
milder than at present so that we are really 
living under a climate that is, taking all geo- 



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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



219 



logical time into account, abnormal. But at 
times the climate has been more rigorous than 
at present. One of the epochs of rigorous cli- 
mate has just ended, or perhaps is just ending. 
During that epoch, most of northern North 
America was covered by a great ice sheet that 
flowed outwards in all directions. 

Geologically, this period of ice has been our 
most recent event, the present alone excepted, 
and, whereas the periods of sedimentation and 
erosion just described are to be measured only 
in terms of millions of years, the ice probably 
retreated, according to the best estimates, 
some 15,000 or 20,000 years ago, perhaps less. 
In the column of geological periods given 
early in the chapter, the ice age falls very near 
close of the Cenozoic. 

The Ice Invasion of Faiiiicld Coitnty. The 
ice at one time entirely covered Fairfield 
County, extending well into Hocking County 
but that was at the beginning of the epoch, 
perhaps 100,000 years ago, and few traces 
can be seen of this early invasion. Later it 
retreated far to the northward and then re- 
advanced, this time standing directly across 
the southeastern part of the county. There 
were several such advances and retreats but 
in Fairfield County there is evidences of only 
the first and the last. 

In Fairfield County the advance of the last 
sheet was from the northwest. The entire 
northern, central and western parts of the 
county were covered. The position of the 
margin of this ice sheet can be traced from 
the north line of Richland Township south- 
v/ard into the hills just south of Bremen, then 
westward, crossing Hocking river at about 
where Crawfis Collegiate Institute stands (all 
traces of it are removed in the immediate val- 
ley of the Hocking but the drift material is 
well shown in the clays and gravels near the 
mouth of the Tarkhill hollow). Along the 



line of the Boys' Industrial School electric 
road, this ice front advanced at one time al- 
most as far as Christmas Rocks although most 
of the time it stood a little farther to the north- 
ward. The irregular, low hummocky hills on 
which the Country Club stands and from there 
southward to within a few rods of the stor- 
age battery station of the electric line, are com- 
posed of gravels and clays which were dropped 
at the edge of this ice sheet during its princi- 
pal stand. This moraine (the material 
dropped by a glacier is termed a moraine) ex- 
tends for there southwestward, crossing the 
hills between Jacob's Ladder and Hamburg, 
it then descends into the valley of Arney 
Creek below Jacob's Ladder and stretches 
away to the southward, crossing Clear Creek 
below Clearport and passing across the south 
line of Madison Township into Hocking 
County. 

The front occupied this position for some 
time, the amount of advance in the ice being 
just balanced by the amount of melting at 
its margin, and the gravel and clay dropped 
during this period at the ice front constitute 
the moraine of this stage. Later it melted 
more rapidly than the ice advanced and the 
margin consequently retreated to a position 
approximately parallel to the first but a few 
miles to the northwestward. The moraine 
fonned at this later stage can be traced in the 
irregular low hills about Basil and Baltimore, 
Carroll (well shown just west of Carroll) and 
Royalton and along broad lines connecting 
these points. 

It was while occupying these two positions 
that most of the changes wrought by the ice 
in the surface of the county were effected. 
Noteworthy among these changes was the re- 
versal of practically all streams which flowed 
northward at that time, the filling of the ma- 
jor valleys to depths of 200 or 300 feet and 



220 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the almost complete burial of the old topog- 
raphy of the northern third of the county, 
leaving a broadly rolling but generally smooth 
surface where had previously been a relief 
probably as prominent as is now found any- 
where in the county. 

Not only were the stream channels directly 
under the ice sheet so filled but the streams 
flowing out from the melting ice carried nu- 
merous loads of sand and gravel with which 
they filled up their valleys for miles away to 
the southward beyond the edge. Such gravel 
fillings are found to the Ohio river on the 
Muskingum, Hocking, Scioto and other 
streams flowing from the ice margin. The 
Hocking was filled to a depth of 60 to 100 
feet higher than the present broad bottom 
land, but a portion of the deposit has been re- 
moved by the stream since the retreatal of the 
ice. This is shown by the remnants of this 
filling which are occasionally found, such as 
the gravel hills on which Crawfis Collegiate 
Institute is built and the gravel terraces in 
which the gravel banks are opened just west 
of the Institute on the Lancaster-Sugar Grove 
road. 

The Abandoned Valley from Lancaster to 
Bremen. One of the best farming areas in 
the county is along the broad open valley 
which extends due eastward from Lancaster 
to Bremen, the line followed by the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad. This valley, now filled with 
drift to depths of over 200 feet, is thought 
to have been the former outlet of Rush .Creek 
to the Hocking River. It is believed that an 
old divide existed directly across the present 
course of Rush Creek in Hocking .County, that 
from one side of this divide a stream formerly 
flowed northward to Bremen and from the 
other side another one flowed westward to the 
Hocking at Eckert's Mill. When the ice front 
stood across the old outlet just west of Bre- 



men, the water was ponded in Rush Creek 
and finally flowed over this divide, cutting it 
down. With the final melting of the ice the 
stream maintained its course where it now 
flows. Such an old divide, across which a 
stream has been thrown, is known as a col, a 
word adopted from the French. 

Rez'ersal of Little Rush Creek. The gen- 
eral relationships of such a reversed stream are 
very well shown on Little Rush Creek, which 
flows from a region of broad, open, deeply 
drift filled valleys in northern Richland town- 
ship, southward into the very narrow, tortu- 
ous, steep walled, rock floored gorge which the 
T. and O. C. Railroad follows from Rushville 
to Bremen. This gorge is the site of another 
old divide, and the old outlet, across which the 
ice stood, was to the northwestward past 
Pleasantville to the pre-glacial Muskingum. 

Reversal of Clear Creek. Exactly similar 
is the valley of Clear Creek which is broad and 
open with considerable drift filling near 
Amanda, but narrow and crooked at the old 
divide a few miles above its mouth in Hock- 
ing County. Its old outlet to the westward 
is entirely buried beneath the drift hills of the 
western part of the county and the exact loca- 
tion of it is not known. 

Diversion of Muddy Prairie Creek. A 
tributary to this old Clear Creek formerly 
headed at Delmont and flowed southwestward 
out the broad, flat valley now occupied by 
Muddy Prairie. But the present Muddy 
Prairie Creek, instead of following this open 
course, turns sharply near the Amanda Town- 
ship line and enters the high rock hills to the 
southward, flowing through them and empty- 
ing into Clear Creek in Madison Township. 
The old outlet was directly along the line of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad from Delmont to 
Amanda, and the present divide in that direc- 
tion is so low that when Muddy Prairie bot- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



221 



toni was drained, it is said that the engineers 
advised that it would be cheaper to cut through 
this divide than to deepen the present Muddy 
Prairie Creek. The course of this stream 
■was also changed by the ice. 

Diversion of Arney Creek. One of the 
best examples of change in drainage and at 
the same time one of the most accessible, is on 
Arney Creek along the Industrial School elec- 
tric road. Arney Creek at present heads near 
Hamburg and flows towards Lancaster in a 
gradually widening valley. A short distance 
north of Christmas Rocks, it turns toward the 
southward, and from that point the valley 
commences to narrow ; just south of Christ- 
mas Rocks it turns to the westward, the valley 
narrows yet more and at Jacob's Ladder a 
mile below the turn, becomes a narrow V- 
shaped gorge. The character of the valley 
above and below Christmas Rocks is well 
shown in the two accompanying photographs. 

Jacob's Ladder is the site of an old divide, 
where two streams fonnerly headed and 
flowed in opposite directions; one of these 
flowed toward Christmas Rocks, then north- 
ward, joining the stream coming in from 
Hamburg somewhere near Snyder's Grove 
and the storage battery. From there the united 
stream flowed northward to Lancaster through 
a broad valley, one rock wall of which is 
found in the high ridge east of the Catholic 
Cemetery, the other in the high ridge which 
lies north of the Lancaster-Hamburg road. 

This old valley is now heavily clogged with 
drift from South Lancaster or LTtica as far 
south as the storage battery plant on the elec- 
tric line, showing that the ice occupied the out- 
let for a very long time. The little valley 
which the traction line follows to just beyond 
the Country Club has been cut entirely in this 
drift filling by the streamlet which has cut 
and occupied it since the retreatal of the ice, 



and must in no wise be confused with the 
broad outlet just referred to, which is a very 
much larger feature. The width of this old 
outlet can best be observed from the pikes, 
either the Hamburg or State Farm roads. The 
ice in this old outlet acted as a huge dam, 
and ponded back the waters of Arney Creek 
until they flowed over the lowest point of the 
lake, which happened to .be the col at Jacob's 
Ladder. The ice occupied the valley ■ long 
enough to permit the stream to cut this old 
divide to its present level, or at least so low 
that the stream was not diverted to the old 
channel on the final melting of the barrier. 

Drainage Changes in Rising Park. The oc- 
currences just described cover the important 
changes in drainage, but a number of minor 
ones could be cited. One of the best of them, 
and one that can be readily observed and un- 
derstood is in Rising Park. Still-house Hol- 
low extends from Flat Rocks southeast- 
ward to Rising Park. The stream which 
drains it flows into the park at its northwest 
corner where the Infirmary road makes the 
sharp bend, it flows southward on the inside 
of the park fence and just between the house 
of Mr. J. B. O'Harra and the northwest spur 
of Mt. Pleasant, tumbles over a little rock fall. 
It is important to notice that it flows on a 
rock floor at this point, for a thickness of 80 
feet of drift was encountered in the well 
drilled directly back of the mountain at the 
lake. This well mouth is at almost exactly the 
same elevation as the rock-floored outlet just 
noticed, and it is evident that the stream for- 
merly must have had a much lower outlet else- 
where in order to remove the rock to a depth 
of 80 feet below its present outlet. Mt. Pleas- 
ant is known to all as a rock hill. So is the 
Reservoir hill just north of the park. But the 
low ridge which extends from the one to the 
other along the eastern side of the park and 



222 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



just east of the lake is not a rock hill. It is 
composed entirely of sand, gravel and clay. 
The old outlet was over the site of this de- 
posit into Fetter's Run, which is itself par- 
tially drift filled. The change was induced 
during the retreatal stages of the ice when a 
lobe of the glacier occupied Fetter's Run but 
not the small tributary coming into it from 
the back of Mt. Pleasant. The old outlet be- 
ing clogged, a new one was found o\er the 
low rock ridge which connected Mt. Pleasant 
with the rock hill just back of the O'Harra 
house. 

The National Pike Betiveen Pickerington 
and Basil. One of the natural features of the 
county which has long been a puzzle to those 
familiar with it and which was formed indi- 
rectly by the ice sheet, is the natural pike be- 
tween Pickerington and Basil. This is a 
broad, low ridge, which is followed through- 
out its length by the road between the two 
towns. It is seldom lo feet high, at one point 
is only three feet high, and is from 20 to 50 
yards in width. It is composed of gravel and 
makes an excellent, dry road bed throughout 
the three miles that it can be traced, and it 
has been so utilized, even though the turns of 
the ridge cause considerable crookedness in 
the road. It is first distinctly noticeable two 
miles east of Pickerington and from that point 
east, southeastward, it is continuous, with the 
exception of an occasional gap where a small 
stream has broken through. It ends abruptly 
on the west side of Poplar Creek, two and 
one-half miles west of Basil and does not re- 
appear on the east side of the stream. 

Such a feature is not uncommon in the gla- 
ciated area of this and other continents, and 
eleven occurrences are known in Ohio. It is 
what is known as an esker ridge. Usually 
they are more prominent features, relatively 



much higher and often much longer (some 
are known in Maine 300 miles in length). 

According to the best explanation that can 
be offered, while the ice yet covered the north- 
ern part of the county, there was a stream 
channel in the ice where the ridge is now 
found, possibly a tunnel or a deep crevice. 
This was while the ice front stood over the 
moraine at Basil. The water flowing in this 
ice-walled channel gradually accumulated 
gravels and sands in its bed until a consider- 
able amount was concentrated along its length, 
much more than was present in the ice on 
either side. Accordingly, when the ice melted, 
this was dropped where it had lain in the chan- 
nel and where it is now found, the twists and 
turns of the ridge preserving the general direc- 
tion of the old channel in the ice. 

The Effect of the Glacier on the Soils of 
Fairfield County. The glacier in its course 
across Canada and northern Ohio, scraped ofif 
a vast amount of the soil and rock of those 
regions. This was incorporated into the ice 
and was often carried hundreds of miles by 
the slow flowage of the mass. With the final 
melting this material was dropped as clay and 
boulders. This is why we find such great 
amounts of clay in the region covered by the 
glacier; this also explains why we find bould- 
ers of granite and gneiss, as for example, the 
one on Mt. Pleasant and the very large one 
near where the Pleasantville pike crosses Bald- 
win run just east of Lancaster. These bould- 
ers, and the many others like them must have 
been carried at the very least, 400 miles, for 
no similar rock is found at the surface within 
a lesser distance; the nearest outcrops are 
north and northeast of Lake Huron. 

In addition to reducing the height of the 
hills, thus making it more habitable, Fairfield 
County is tremendously indebted to the gla- 




CHRISTMAS BOCKS, NEAR LANCASTER 



PRIDE OF OHIO, NEAR SUGAR GROVE 




I liVS'l'Al, Sl'lvlM., SltiAK CKOVK 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



223 



cier for bringing into her confines, the soils 
which were formed o\'er the areas to the north- 
ward, for limestone, shale, sandstone, granite 
soils and many others were abundantly gath- 
ered and mixed together by the glacier, to be 
later dumped copiously over most of Ohio. 
Doubtless in portions of the state which nat- 
urally had a rich limestone soil, the result was 
not as successful as in a region like Fairfield 
County, whose natural soil was a pure clay 
and sandstone soil, practically without a trace 
of lime. If anyone thinks the result has not 
been a decided improvement, let him compare 
the upland soils of the northern part of the 
county with those of the unglaciated sandstone 
hills of the southeastern third. 

Indirectly the county owes its rich, broad 
bottom lands, like those of the Hocking and 
Rush Creek to the glacier which filled up the 
old stream gorges 200 or 300 feet and thus fur- 
nished a foundation on which to develop these 
bottoms. Again indirectly, still a third type of 
soil is due to the same forces. Wherever 
drainage is impeded, swamps are formed. In 
such swamps black, mucky soils are formed 
because of the increased amount of vegetable 
matter which accumulates there. These 
swamps and bogs, when drained, furnish some 
of the richest garden spots and farm lands of 
the county, but they are limited in area com- 
pared with the others. As examples of such 
soils may be cited the broad floor of Pleasant 
run two or three miles east of Lancaster and 
the Miesse gardens two miles northwest. The 
"prairie" of Hocking just west of Lancaster 
carries a similar soil and will doubtless prove 
of great fertility when properly drained. 

In all of these cases the obstruction of the 
drainage can be traced more or less directly to 
the influence of the ice sheet and the debt to 
the glacier is accordingly, increased a little 
more. 



BOTANY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

The distribution of plants over a large area, 
such as the United States, depends primarily 
upon climate, but the distribution over a small 
area, such as one county, generally depends 
upon soil and topography. Fairfield County is 
situated in such a way that it has the surface 
characteristics of both the northern and the 
southern parts of the state ; the smooth rolling 
areas in the north, similar to those of northern 
Ohio, and the sandstone hills, rocky ledges 
and deep ravines, similar to those of southern 
Ohio. 

The floor of the county can be divided into 
three distinct divisions ; the plants of the north 
correspond to those in the northern part of 
the state ; the plants of the south correspond to 
those in the southern part of the state, and the 
plants on the hills around Sugar Grove, which 
are similar to the plants in the Allegheny 
Mountain region. The latter division might 
be called a hill-top island. 

Three regions have been selected from which 
to study the plant geography of the county — 
the Buckeye Lake region in the extreme north- 
eastern corner, the Lancaster region in the cen- 
tral part, and the Sugar Grove region near the 
south. A comparison of these three regions 
will give an idea of the various forms of plant 
life in the county. 

Buckeye Lake is situated at the junction of 
Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties. Only 
the southwestern part of the Lake is in Fair- 
field. This lake was developed in 1832 from 
a big swamp. Since that time changes have 
gone on very rapidly in the plant life. Orig- 
inally pine forests of beech, maple, ash, elm 
and hickory surrounded this swamp, but today 
only a few remnants remain. There is one 
fine forest near the eastern end of the lake. 
It is almost pure beech and the trees are very 



224 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



large and fine. The shade is too dense for 
much undergrowth, but here and there in the 
damp rich soil the cardinal flower grows, and 
near the edge of the forest, where the sunlight 
can get in, are found great thickets of elder- 
berries. At the water's edge flourish cat-tails, 
with here and there a clump of calamus-root, 
and beyond this, extending out into the shal- 
low water for a great distance, are the plants 
of the American lotus, lifting their showy yel- 
low blossoms several feet above the surface of 
the water. Beyond this, especially in the 
miniature bays, where the water is quiet, grows 
the most beautiful flower of this region, the 
white water-lily. It would be difficult to imag- 
ine anything prettier than these pure white, 
sweet-scented blossoms floating on the water 
among their own green leaves, which curl up 
now and then around the edges to show a touch 
of red beneath. 

Sphagnum Island, or Cranberry Marsh, is 
another place interesting to the botanist. It 
is situated about a half mile east of Buckeye 
Lake Park, and is the largest island in the lake. 
The edge of the island is surrounded by a 
very dense growth of swamp, maple, poison 
sumac, and American elm, with here and there 
great clumps of fern. The interior of the 
island is entirely different. It is a broad level 
stretch of Sphagnum moss, without either 
shrub or tree. The rose pogonia, a beautiful 
purple orchid, grows here, also the cotton 
grass and cranberries. Perhaps the most in- 
teresting plant of this bog is the little carnivor- 
ous plant, the sun-dew. It is only four or fi\e 
inches high and has round leaves, which are 
bordered by glandular hairs. These hairs give 
out dew-like drops from whence the plant gets 
its name. If an insect, attracted by the glis- 
tening drops, happens to alight on the leaf, he 
is held there by the sticky substance and the 
hairs close over him. The leaf then pours out 



a digestive fluid and all the soluble parts of the 
insect are digested and absorbed by the plant. 
The little tentacles then open out, the indigesti- 
ble parts are blown away, and the plant awaits 
another meal. These plants have developed 
the insect-eating habit because the bog soil 
cannot supply them with all the nourishment 
they need. 

In the extreme southwestern part of the lake 
is Orchard Island, having an area of about 
three acres. This island has forest trees upon 
it, such as elm, hickory, ash, oak, locust, mul- 
berry and willow. There are also some shrubs, 
such as the scarlet sumac, poison ivy and wild 
grape. The edge of the island has the usual 
swamp plants, the lotus predominating; but 
in some places the deep rose-colored persicaria 
and the brown heads of the cat-tails, make a 
beautiful contrast to the light yellow of the 
locust. 

Another showy plant along the water's edge 
is the Hibiscus, or rose-mallow, but called by 
the residents of the region wild hollyhock. The 
plant grows from three to seven feet high, and 
clustered at the top of the stalk are the bright 
pink flowers reminding one very much of the 
old-fasiiioned garden hollyhock. These plants 
grow very close together and are so conspicu- 
ous that they force attention from even the 
casual observer. Here and there among the 
rose-mallows and cat-tails are found seedlings 
of elm, oak and lucust. This is a very impor- 
tant point for the botanist, because it tells him 
that the trees are pushing out farther away 
from the center and in time a forest may re- 
place a swamp. 

From Buckeye Lake south the land is fer- 
tile and rolling, making the finest kind of an 
agricultural region. As might be expected, 
there is very little forest left, but the few rem- 
nants have fine specimens of oak, ash, elm, 
hickory, walnut, maple, beech, persimmon, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



225 



sorrel-tree, papaw, birches, buckeye and horse- 
chestnut. By the time the central part of the 
county is reached the surface structure and 
the flora have changed. Around Lancaster 
may be seen flat-topped sandstone hills, with 
deep narrow ravines between. The liill tops 
will have trees of medium size, but there is not 
much variety. The different oaks predomi- 
nate, with occasionally a chestnut. The under- 
growth is usually dense, because there is plenty 
of sunlight. Sumac, dogwood, pokeberry and 
sassafras are bound together by long runners 
of blackberry, poison ivy and sweet brier. The 
north and south slopes of these hills vary a 
great deal. The south-facing slope gets more 
light and heat than the north- facing slope and 
the plants will be similar to those on the hill 
tops, with perhaps the addition of the laurel. 
The north-facing slopes are entirely different. 
Here the outcropping rocks are covered with 
moss or delicate ferns and in the spring the 
ground is nearly covered with the hepaticas, 
bloodroots, blue, white and yellow violets and 
Dutchman's breeches. Now and then you will 
find a jack-in-the-pulpit, or perhaps some of 
the beautiful wake-robins. Above these flow- 
ers will be dogwood, redbud, spicebush and 
sassafras, and above these fine specimens of 
maple, ash, oak, tulip-tree and elm. There are 
a few sandstone hills around Lancaster, which 
are simply covered with laurel. Of course 
there are forest trees, mainly oak, on these 
hills, but other shrubs and the low-flowering 
plants are not abundant. 

But however interesting the botany of the 
northern part or the central part may be, the 
Sugar Grove region is the best of all— the 
Mecca for the botanist. In one day's ramble 
you may study the swamp, the rock ravine, the 
hill tops, the meadows and the pine thickets. 
The variety is endless. In the valley, which is 
rather narrow, the farmer plants his crops. The 



soil is rich and the only danger to the crops is 
an occasional flood. Here and there in the fields 
a particularly fine tree has been allowed to 
stand. This valley is the home of the "Pride 
of Ohio," a magnificent sugar maple, said to 
be tiie most perfect tree in Ohio. A few elms 
have been allowed to stand, on account of 
their great size and graceful beauty, and here 
and there a slender shell-bark hickory re- 
mains. In the valley, but back close to the 
hills occasionally are found swamps, sole sur- 
vivors of the once wide-spread valley condi- 
tion. Here the swamp maples are tall and 
slender and very close together. The largest 
native tree, the sycamore, grown best here or 
along the streams, and alders and button- 
bushes are very common. Early in the spring 
the skunk-cabbage is abundant, and a little 
later the marsh marigolds appear, while in 
the summer very large swamp ferns flourish 
in the dense shade. 

The flora of the ravine varies according to 
the width of the ravine. If the valley floor is 
wide, the south-facing slope will be much drier 
than the north-facing slope and the plants will 
differ; but if the valley floor is narrow, the 
plants on the north and south- facing slopes 
will be similar. The south-facing slope of a 
wide ravine will have such trees as the oaks, 
chestnuts, scrub and pitch pines. The oaks will 
probably predominate and will be of fair size. 
The north-facing slope will be entirely differ- 
ent. The pines of the south are replaced by 
fine large hemlocks, and in place of oaks will 
be found maples, ashes, beech and tulip trees. 
The undergrowth is very dense. Along the 
rock ledges flourishes the rhododendron, which 
is conspicuous the whole year round. The 
shrubs grow to a height of from four to eight 
feet, and have rather thick, glossy evergreen 
leaves. The plant blooms the last of June or 
the first of July, and then clustered among the 



226 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



glossy, green leaves are the masses of delicate 
pink and white blossoms. Nothing in the plant 
kingdom could be more beautiful than the 
showy but delicate blossoms hanging over a 
steep ledge, or fringing a cliff or forming a 
tangled thicket down in some dark, cool crevice 
of the rocks. Quite often in this region the 
rocks are covered with a perfect carpet of 
ferns, usually the rock polypod, with here and 
there a patch of Christmas fern. Sometimes 
the ledges are fringed with green moss or 
masses of liverworts, or large lichens which 
look like patches of leather. In the spring the 
red columbine is abundant in crevices, and 
wherever a slight amount of soil covers the 
rocks the hepatica flourishes. In the rich soil 
at the base of the cliffs is found Solomon's 
seal, both the true and the false, and now and 
then a great patch of wild ginger, or a brilliant 
fire-pink or a showy orchis. Of course the 
violets are abundant, blue, yellow and white, 
and occasionally a rare species. 

Another plant, which must not be forgotten 
is jack-in-the-pulpit. These plants grow so 
large that they are almost rank. And another 
favorite is the white trillium or wake-robin. 
It is not as common as some of the others, but 
usually several are found together. Later in 
the summer the flowers are not so abundant 
but the ferns take their place. This is the ideal 
habitat for the delicate maidenhair fern and 
exceedingly large specimens are sometimes 
found. The flowering dogwood is often abun- 
dant in these ravines and in the early spring is 
the most conspicuous plant. A person who 
has never been in these ravines can scarcely 
imagine the almost tropical luxuriance of the 
plants. The trees, shrubs and herbs grow to- 
gether in wild profusion and are bound to- 
gether into an impenetrable mass by the wild 
grape vines, the poison ivy, the Virginia 
creeper, and the creeping stems of the green 
brier. 



Once in a while, in a more open ravine than 
the one described above, a person is fortunate 
enough to find the flame azalea. This is a near 
relative of the rhododendron and very much 
like it. but by many people considered even 
more beautiful. The flowers grow in great 
clusters and range in color from a pale lemon 
yellow to a deep orange. It is one plant which 
you do not have to hunt closely to find. Just 
one glance through a woods will tell you 
whether it is there or not. This plant is more 
rare than the rhododendron, occurring in only 
a few places. 

In the more open ravines grows another 
flower, also a close relative of the rhododen- 
dron and azalea, but not large and showy like 
them. This is the trailing arbutus. The flow- 
ers are small and of a very delicate pink tint, 
and with an odor just as sweet and delicate as 
the flower itself. The stem is slightly woody 
and the leaves oval in shape and evergreen. 
The trailing arbutus is one of the earliest flow- 
ers to blossom, but it is often difficult to find 
because the whole plant may be covered by the 
dead forest leaves. 

In an open hillside, or even on the hill top 
is found another relative of the rhododendron 
■ — the laurel or kalmia. This plant is some- 
times as large as the rhododendron, though 
usually not as tall, but more spreading. Its 
leaves are evergreen and the flowers pink or 
white and arranged in terminal clusters. It is 
also one of the favorites of this region. It is 
a strange thing that this group of plants should 
exist in Fairfield County. The azalea lives in 
the eastern part of the United States, the home 
of the rhododendron is in the Allegheny Moun- 
tains, and the trailing arbutus is also at home 
in the east. But here they live along with the 
wintergreen and laurel, all members of the 
heath family. They are not found in the 
southern part of the state, neither do they oc- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



229 



cur in the northern part of the state, not even 
in the northern part of the county. 

On the hill tops near Sugar Grove are the 
pure pine thickets. These are the pitch pines 
and grow so close together as to remind one 
of the famous pine forests of Michigan. 
There is very little undergrowth, because the 
pine forest is dark the year round. The 
ground beneath is covered with pine needles, 
but growing in these needles is found one of 
the curious and rare flowers of the region, the 
pink lady-slipper. The flower is an orchid, 
and orchids are rare and strange, and hence al- 
ways highly prized. The yellow lady-slipper 
is also found near Sugar Grove, but it belongs 
to the ravines. The pipsisewa and sweet brier 
are about the only other inhabitants of the 
pine grove. On the hill tops where the trees 
have been removed, or where the trees are 
scattered, will be found plenty of huckleber- 
ries, and along the fences the blackberries are 
thick. The farmers watch their berry crops as 
carefully as they watch their corn and wheat. 

The botany of the county has changed very 
much in the past few years. The valuable tim- 
ber, such as black walnut, locust, hickory and 
hemlock, has been removed in great quantities 
and in place of these the hillsides are now cov- 
ered with hundreds of young fruit trees. The 
botanist or native student is still able, how- 
ever, to find an endless variety of interesting 
plant life in Fairfield County. 

Edna M. McCleery. 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OIL AND G.\S FIELDS 
OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

By J. A. Bownocker. 
Edited by Jesse E. Hyde. 

Oil and gas have been by far the most im- 
portant of Fairfield County's mineral re- 
sources. In fact, with these exceptions, Fair- 



field County has been deficient in such wealth ; 
coal and limestone are wholly wanting, the 
clays are of little value and the sandstones 
give little promise of future importance. 

The gas has been an important factor in 
the development of Lancaster but it is not in- 
tended to treat here of that phase of its his- 
tory. What follows is merely a sketch of the 
early development of the oil and gas field of 
Fairfield County, wholly in the words of Dr. 
J. A. Bownocker,* the state Geologist of, 
Ohio, a one time Fairfield County boy. 

The Gas Fields 

No other event in the history of Ohio has 
so stimulated the search for underground 
wealth as did the discovery of natural gas at 
Findlay in 1884. From that city the drill has 
moved out in all directions until every county 
in the state has been tested ; in some the wells 
may be reckoned by the score, yes, by the 
thousands. In the main these tests have pro- 
duced negative results only, and still they have 
formed the basis of two of the state's prin- 
cipal sources of wealth. The Findlay discov- 
ery was followed in 1885 by tapping the im- 
mense volume of oil stored in the Trenton lime- 
stone, and two years later by the discovery 
of gas at Lancaster. 

The first step towards testing the rocks in 
the vicinity of Lancaster was taken December 
2, 1885, when the Lancaster Natural Gas Com- 
pany was incorporated. The capital stock was 
$50,000 in shares of $50 each. On the date 
just mentioned the company organized by elect- 
ing the following officers: President, E. L. 
Slocum; Vice-president, A. Getz; Secretary, 
H. B. Peters ; Treasurer, N. Butler. 



*Geo. Surv. Ohio. 4th Ser. Bull. i. The Occurrence 
and Exploitation of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 
Ohio. pp. 101-125. Bull. 12, The Bremen Oil Field, 
PP- 7-30. 



230 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The directors included, in addition to the 
officers, H. C. Drinkle, J. R. Mumaugh, J. C. 
Reeves, E. Becker and George Lutz. In May, 
1 886, the company contracted with Albert 
Smith to drill a well, and work was imme- 
diately begun, the objective horizon being the 
Trenton limestone which was then yielding 
such astonishing results in northwestern Ohio. 
The location was on a lot owned by the presi- 
dent of the company and was situated near the 
Hocking Valley station. [Just back of the 
Flint Glass factory near the old canal and 
close to the Sugar Grove road.] It was soon 
demonstrated that the territory is covered with 
a heavy mantel of drift. This retarded the 
work, and of course increased the expense, so 
that stockholders were required to pay ten 
dollars per share more than the face value of 
their stock. Gas was finally struck February 
I, 1887, at a depth of 1,957 f^^t. On the 
tenth of the same month the flow was meas- 
ured at the casing head and found to be 74,880 
cubic feet per day. However, the well con- 
tained a large quantity of salt water, and the 
pressure of this greatly weakened the flow of 
gas. Later the well was shot with 100 quarts 
of nitro-giycerine, and the gas piped to the 
works of the Hocking Valley Manufacturing 
Company. The great expense of drilling and 
the small production, together with the many 
other uncertain elements, such as the life of the 
wells, continuity of the gas rock, etc., made 
progress slow. That the citizens of Lancaster 
were not greatly discouraged, however, is 
shown by the fact that on April 7, 1887, an- 
other organization, the Mt. Pleasant Natural 
Gas & Oil Company was fonned. The of- 
ficers were: President, George W. Welsh; 
Vice-president, S. H. Beck; Treasurer, H. B. 
Peters ; Secretary, Daniel Danehy. The board 
of directors consisted of the officers and E. L. 



Slocum, J. T. Busby, H. C. Drinkle, James Mc- 
Sweeny and A. H. Middletown. 

About the same time the East End Natural 
Gas & Oil Company was formed with a capital 
stock of $5,000. 

The second well in the territory was drilled 
on the land of Joseph C. Kinkead, near the 
foot of Mt. Pleasant. [Just across the road 
on the south side of the hill.] The gas rock 
was struck October 5, 1887, at a depth of 1,989 
feet. Nine days later the flow of gas was meas- 
ured and found to be 792,000 cubic feet per 
day, through a four and one-half inch casing. 
The third well was located about one mile 
southeast of the city. [Just east of Baldwin 
Run and south of the Pleasantville pike.] The 
gas rock was struck at a depth of 2,020 feet, 
October 11, 1887, and the production is re- 
ported to have been 1,000,000 cubic feet in 
24 hours. 

The companies owning these wells next be- 
gan to look for a market for their fuel. The , 
most natural one was the city of Lancaster, 
and on Monday evening, October 23, 1887, 
the directors of the company owning the well 
at the foot of Mt. Pleasant asked the city 
council for a franchise permitting the com- 
pany to pipe the city. This precipitated a 
lively debate in which the representatives of 
the several companies took part. Finally the 
matter was referred to the committee on 
streets and alleys, but before a decision could 
be reached the three companies consolidated, 
the name being the Lancaster Gas & Oil Com- 
pany No. I. Officers of this organization were 
chosen December 5, 1887, as follows: Presi- 
dent, P. W. Bininger; Vice-president, C. P. 
Noll; Treasurer, F. X. Winter; Secretary, W. 
T. McCleneghan. 

On the i8th of the same month the com- 
pany was authorized to pipe the principal parts 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



231 



of the city. A committee was appointed to 
visit Findlay and other places where natural 
gas was in use, the object being to secure in- 
formation as to the best and safest methods of 
handling the new fuel. No pains were spared 
to make the company a success. The result 
was that within a month after the issuing of 
permits had begun, there were 500 gas fires in 
the city. Everybody was calling for gas, mak- 
ing the demand greater than the company 
could supply, owing to the heavy expense of 
laying the necessary mains. Fortunately, it 
had been provided when the three companies 
consolidated that if at any time the city saw 
fit to purchase the plant it might do so at 
actual cost plus six per cent interest on the 
investment. To make this possible a law was 
enacted by the legislature permitting the city 
to submit to the people a proposition to bond 
the corporation for $50,000 to purchase the 
existing natural gas plant, drill new wells, lay 
mains, etc. The election was held April 30, 
1888, the vote resulting 1,260 in favor of and 
25 against the proposition. Bonds bearing six 
per cent interest were at once sold. These 
were payable from 1892 to 1902 and all found 
ready buyers. The cost of the plant secured 
in this manner was about $24,000, the re- 
mainder of the money having been used for 
drilling new wells, laying mains, etc. 

During the winter of 1888 and 1889 the sup- 
ply of gas was not equal to the demand. Thus 
far all the wells secured were small, while the 
call for fuel had become very heavy. Under 
such conditions there was considerable dissat- 
isfaction and many doubted the wisdom of 
having bonded the corporation for so large a 
sum. In fact the future of the field seemed al- 
together problematical. During this period of 
doubt and insufficient gas an event occurred 
which completely changed the aspect of affairs. 

This was the great success of the Mithof? 



well, which was drilled by Theodore MithofY 
within the corporation limits [on the back of 
the lot on the southeast corner of Columbus 
and Allen streets], the object being to secure 
a supply of gas for his machine shop. The 
gas rock was reached, February 17, 1889, and 
a good flow at once secured. The drill was 
kept at work and the volume of gas increased 
rapidly as the rock was penetrated to a greater 
and greater depth, until the open flow rose to 
12,000,000 cubic feet in 24 hours. This was 
one of the finest gas wells that had ever been 
drilled up to that time in this or any other coun- 
tr}^ The citizens of Lancaster were quick to 
see what this meant for the city, and to prop- 
erly give vent to their feelings a jollification 
was planned, with torch light parade, speeches, 
etc. Arrangements were made to connect this 
well "The Old Man Himself" with the city 
mains, thus providing an ample supply of gas. 
Another famous w^ell was completed that 
year. It was located on the county fair 
grounds and had an initial open flow of about 
10,000,000 cubic feet in 24 hours. A line was 
laid around the race track that fall, and "By 
this means the track was lighted up at night as 
ne\er race track was lighted before, and the 
trials of speed went forward under this wan- 
ton illumination. The idea was novel and the 
scene unique and brilliant, but the waste was 
barbaric all the same." [Edward Orton, Sr.] 
Other wells were drilled with varying results ; 
still the quantity of gas at the command of 
the city was large and the next thing was to 
find a market for it. "The strange folly that 
seems bound up in the heart of a municipal 
corporation when it obtains a good supply of 
gas, that it must find some one who can use 
the fuel up in the largest way and most rapidly 
to whom to give it. without money and with- 
out price, broke out also in Lancaster. An 
ill-omened arch, bearing the illuminated in- 



232 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



scription 'Free Gas to Manufacturers' spans 
tile main street of the town at the railroad 
crossing." [Edward Orton, Sr., 1890.] 

After the Lancaster field had been tested 
sufficiently to show the presence of gas in good 
quantity drilling was commenced at many 
points in outlying portions of the county and 
a number of other pools have been discovered. 
The Thurston pool was the first of these. A 
well drilled in 1888 on the Bush farm near the 
railroad station only yielded sufficient gas to 
encourage further drilling, but the next one a 
mile to the eastward is said to have had an 
open flow of 7,000,000 cubic feet in 24 hours. 
A number of good wells were drilled later 
but by 1902 all had been practically abandoned. 

The first well of the Sugar Grove field, the 
largest and richest field in Fairfield County, 
was on the Joseph Messbarger farm, now the 
I. Hennis farm, a mile north of the point where 
Big Rush Creek enters Berne township from 
Hocking County. From here the drill spread 
rapidly over that portion of southern Fair- 
field County roughly lying east of the Boys' 
Industrial School. The Hocking Valley passes 
through what was the heart of this field. Later 
it was extended southward well into Hocking 
County. 

In later years the Pleasantville and Balti- 
more pools have been developed and several 
smaller outlying pockets. 

THE BREMEN OIL FIELD 

Tlie discovery of the Bremen oil field is a 
result of the close association of oil and gas. 
As is well known, every oil well is to a greater 
or less extent' a gas well, and large gas fields 
are seldom remote from oil. Oil, however, is 
usually more profitable than gas, and almost 
from the time of the discovery of the latter in 
the Clinton the search for oil has gone on. For 
years the result was discouraging, but the 



driller for oil is as persevering as the miner 
who seeks the precious metals. 

In the early spring of 1907 a well was com- 
pleted on the Weingartner farm between Pleas- 
antville and Rushville in Fairfield County, and 
began flowing oil at approximately 75 barrels 
per day. In July of the same year a well was 
completed on land of Frank Kittle in the adja- 
cent township of Rush Creek and proved to 
be a success. These two wells mark the open- 
ing of the Bremen field and the real beginning 
of the Clinton as a source of oil. 

Location. — At present it includes parts of 
Rush Creek and Richland Townships of Fair- 
field County; Jackson, Reading and Pike 
Townships, and to a smaller extent several 
others, of Perry County. As the map shows, 
it is not one large field, but rather a number 
of small more or less disconnected areas. Thus 
we have the Pleasantville, Rushville, Bremen, 
Junction City and Straitsville pools. Whether 
or not further drilling will luiite these is an 
open question. At present the indications are 
that the field is somewhat spotted, but that the 
Bremen and Junction City pools, at least, will 
unite, forming a continuous area from Bremen 
to New Lexington. 

Early Drilling. — The discovery of this pool 
is due in no small measure to the confidence 
and perseverance of one man, Mr. J. E. Purvis. 
Its subsequent development is likew'ise due 
quite largely to the same individual. Nearly 
twenty years ago he secured options on about 
5.000 acres of land around Bremen and at- 
tempted to organize a company to drill for oil. 
He believed that fuel was present because of 
the great reservoirs of natural gas a few miles 
to the west. Failing to enlist the necessary 
capital, the options were lost, and two more 
attempts had to be made before drilling began. 
.A.bout 1895 the Rush Creek Oil & Gas Com- 
pany was organized, the capital stock at first 



f 




J!^ 





AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



233 



being $10,000, but was increased later to $50,- 
000. Stock to the value of $18,000 was sold. 

The first well was drilled early in 1896 on 
the Stewart farm a short distance north of 
Bremen. When a depth of 1,790 feet had 
been reached, a heavy flow of gas, estimated 
at 5,000.000 cubic feet per day, was encount- 
ered, and drilling ceased. Lines were laid to 
Bremen, Rushville and West Rushville, giving 
those villages their first supply of natural gas, 
but about eighteen months later a flood of salt 
water ruined the well. So favorable an im- 
pression did this well make on capitalists that 
$100,000 was offered for the leases held by the 
company, which would have left $82,000 to 
be distributed among stockholders, but the of- 
fer was rejected. 

The next venture was on the Steamen farm, 
a mile and a quarter southeast of Bremen. 
The Clinton sand was found in i8g6, at a 
depth of about 2,510 feet, and contained some 
oil, but the shales above the sand caved badly, 
and in about six months the well was aban- 
doned without having shown what it was 
worth. Mr. Purvis thinks it would have pro- 
duced 15 barrels per day. 

The third effort of the company was on the 
Rowles farm, about the same distance south- 
west of Bremen. Fourteen months were con- 
sumed in drilling this well, which was less 
encouraging than either of the preceding ones. 
At about this stage the company went into a 
receiver's hands, and the double liability law 
was enforced that debts might be paid. In 
this way the Rush Creek Oil & Gas Company 
went out of existence. 

Late in 1896, Purvis, with two practical oil 
men, formed a partnership and drilled a well 
a mile and a quarter northeast of Bremen on 
the Nixon farm. The Clinton sand showed 
oil, but not enough, it was thought, to warrant 



shooting, so the well was abandoned and the 
partnership terminated. 

Within the next ten years Purvis took up 
leases two or three times, but could not raise 
the money necessary for drilling. In the spring 
of 1907 oil was gotten in a well drilled for gas 
about seven miles northwest of Bremen. The 
coveted fuel had now been disclosed on three 
sides of the village, and naturally this strength- 
ened the conviction of Purvis that oil in com- 
mercial quantities existed in the vicinity of 
Bremen and made possible the organization of 
the Bremen Gas & Oil Company in 1907. 

Discovery and Development 

Bremen Pool. — On May 17, 1907, the com- 
pany just named, and which was to play so 
important a part, was organized. The capital 
stock was fixed at $50,000, in shares of 
$25.00; about four hundred and twenty-eight 
shares were sold and eighty additional ones 
were given in exchange for about 10,000 acres 
of land that had been leased by Purvis & Ruff, 
in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, and 
Jackson Township, Perry County. The board 
of directors chosen consisted of J. E. Purvis, 
A. F. Turner, L. Olive, L. H. Kennedy, Lewis 
E. Ruff, Charles Bloom and W. S. Turner, all 
of Bremen, Ohio. The board organized by 
electing A. F. Turner, President, and L. E. 
Huddle, Secretary. 

The first place selected for testing was the 
farm of F. M. Kittle, on the northeast quarter 
of Section 11 of Rush Creek Township. No 
special reason existed for this location ; it was 
simply one of the leases held by the company 
and was neither more nor less promising than 
other tracts. Drilling began June 12, 1907, 
and the tools penetrated the Clinton sand late 
in July. Some oil was found and the sand 
was shot with 60 quarts of nitroglycerine that 



234 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



was hauled in a wagon from near Marietta. 
In drilling, the casing extended simplj^ to the 
base of the Berea, but when oil was found a 
string of 2,574 feet was set on the top of the 
Clinton, thus insuring a dry hole so far as 
water was concerned. After shooting, the well 
flowed several times, but the water proved too 
strong. When the casing had been inserted 
and the well cleaned, a pump was attached and 
the production started at 10 barrels per day. 
It is now (June, 19 10), pumping about half 
that quantity. While this well was not much 
of a success it was encouraging, and in August, 
a second one was begun. Stockholders urged 
that leases nearer Bremen be tested, and to 
satisfy them a location was made on the farm 
of G. W. Baldwin, just north of the village. 
The Clinton sand was found, but it was hard 
and without oil or gas. A shot of 80 quarts of 
nitroglycerine did not improve matters. 

These two wells, one a complete failure and 
the other a small producer, emptied the treas- 
ury of the company, but the stockholders with 
few exceptions doubled their shares and the 
drill was started again. The location was 
near their first well and on the farm of J. W. 
Huston, southeast quarter of Section 2. The 
Clinton sand was penetrated about October i, 
1907, and began flowing oil at the approximate 
rate of 140 barrels per day. Thus after nearly 
twenty years of effort Purvis began reaping 
his reward. The well was very profitable and 
in July, 1910, was pumping about 20 barrels 
each day. Naturally the company did not go 
far for its next location whicii was on the 
Householder farm, adjoining the Huston on 
the east. The Clinton sand was reached in 
February, 1908, and the well began flowing 
at the rate of 250 barrels per day; in July fol- 
lowing, it was producing at the rate of 100 bar- 
rels, and two years later 10 barrels daily. Of 
course this well attracted wide attention and 



the rush to the new field began. Leases were 
sought after far and near, and rentals as high 
as $12.50 an acre per year were paid. The 
Purvis farm joins the Householder on the 
east and a well completed on it July 10, 1908, 
began producing 300 barrels per day; by Sep- 
tember I, 1910, this rate had decreased to 8 
barrels. 

Other wells were sunk by this company as 
fast as the drill could be forced down and 
with marked success, obtaining a daily pro- 
duction of 1,000 barrels in 1909 and maintain- 
ing this for the following 12 months or there- 
abouts. Stock rose rapidly in value and in 
May, 1909, sold as high as $625 a share. By 
January i, 1910, twelve 50 per cent dividends 
had been paid. The oil commands the Penn- 
sylvania price and sold for $1.78 per barrel 
during approximately the first two years of 
the company's history. It then began drop- 
ping and reached $1.30, at which it is now 
selling. By the close of 1909 the company had 
drilled 90 wells and 70 of these were pro- 
ducers. 

From the first producing territory, about 
three miles northeast of Bremen, the drill 
moved in all directions, but with little suc- 
cess to the north and west. Southward the 
results were more favorable, and by 1908 
wells were being secured in the valley of 
Rush Creek. In the spring of 1909 the drill 
was at work near Bremen, and late in the 
year on town lots. Much money has been 
wasted in this enterprise — not only have 
wells been drilled on adjacent lots, but in 
at least one case two have been put down 
on the same lot. Sometimes the derricks 
were so close together that there was 
scarcely room for the tools. 

During the first year the oil was pumped 
into tanks along the railroad, and then run 
by gravity into tank cars. In 1908 the 



I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 235 

Buckeye Pipe Line Company erected a day. Another test on this farm showed 

pumping station in the valley at Bremen, oil, but before the well had been cleaned 

and laid a three-inch line. A little later this and put to pumping the company sold its 

was replaced with a four-inch line, and this lioldings. The production is reported to 

in turn with a six-inch. have started at 30 barrels a day. A number 

Pleasantville Pool. — In March, 1907, a of wells have now been completed on this 

well was completed on the Wiengartner farm. 

farm, Section 18 of Richland township, Production of the Field. — This is shown 

Fairfield County, about midway between by the following which has been provided 

the villages Pleasantville and West Rush- by the Buckeye Pipe Line Co., Macksburg 

ville. It will be noted that this was prior Division. These figures include the output 

to the first well in the Bremen field proper, of Perry County also. As will be seen the 

which dates from July following. The well production has risen irregularly to May, 

began flowing at the rate of about 75 bar- 1910, when the maximum was reached. 

rels per day. Other wells were drilled as Less drilling and hence fewer new wells 

fast as the tools could be forced down, but since that time are responsible for the de- 

by the close of 1908 the limits of the field crease. The indications are that the output 

had been determined, and little drilling has will continue to shrink for months hence 

been done since that time. The best well and it may be that the production of May 

reported is on the Stevenson farm, and last will not again be equaled. 

started flowing at about 200 barrels per August 1907 1,24c; 08 

day. The producing territory includes part September 1907 i,'i86.98 

of Section 18 and 19, on which about a October 1907 1,515.48 

score of oil wells has been obtained. To November 1907 4,810.72 

the south a few gas wells have been se- December 1907 7.940.I3 

cured, and immediately to the west lies an 7T~7 „. . 

f *i ^ n \ ^ r^u- fill 16,698.39 Bbls. 

arm of the great Central Ohio gas held. ^ 

Eastward from the oil wells seven dry Tr„u_ o ^'^^ 

■' February 1908 14,292.30 

holes have been sunk, and no direct exten- March 1908 1808^^0 

sion in that direction needs be expected. April 1908 18,377.23 

Rushville Pool. — The Rushville Oil & May 1908 24,002.01 

Gas Company drilled a well on the Wikofif J""^ ^9^8 29,542.68 

farm, on the southeast quarter of Section J"^^ , ^9o8 ^^'74972 

, , ., ., r , •,, • August 1908 38,849.75 

33, about one mile south of the village, in September 1908 33.8T5.16 

the summer of 1909, and secured a gas well October 1908 31,335-44 

that started producing 1,887,000 cubic feet November 1908 29,561.17 

per day. Two further attempts on the December 1908 36,280.90 

same farm brought similar results. The 

next effort was on the Morehead farm. 3-22,152.10 Bbls. 

which joins the Wikofif on the north, the >n"^'"y '909 33.086.44 

result being an oil well which started flow- m™''' \^'.'.'.'.'."." " 384^087 

mg at the rate of about 75 barrels the first April r()09 39,324.70 



236 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

May 1909 42,163.97 drilled in their first well on the Kettle 

June 1909 58,182.32 farm with a nice showing for oil. This 

July 1909 65,289.10 started the boom, and after a few other 

August 1909 77,892.90 j^^^^]^ better wells, activity became quite 

September 1909 ^^I^^'JI strenuous and soon many other companies 

October 1909 109.473.33 . ■' . •" 

November 1909 104,583.97 were organized, some havmg good hold- 
December 1909 103,608.09 ings, others with small and valueless hold- 

• ings. But so anxious were investors to se- 

799,283.77 Bbls. ^,^,rg something like what the "Old Bre- 

January 1910 120,524.22 men" and a few other companies had 

February 1910 119,172.23 struck, that stock in many companies sold 

March 1910 152,223.95 within a few hours after the books were 

April 1910 171,413.42 

May 1910 184,544." ^P,^"^'^- , , 

Tune 1910 164,814. SI Most of the companies organized were 

July 1910 147,473.80 capitalized at $50,000, and many sold full 

August 1910 148,822.76 capitalization. It is estimated that nearly 

September 1910 134,172.88 ^j^j.^^ hundred companies were organized 

/;, 00 T5K1.- and had stock listed in this field, many of 

1,343,161.80 CDlS. -^ 

these being formed merely to promote 

Grand total 2,481,296.14 Bbls. stock rather than develop. Such compan- 
ies as these resulted in disappointment to 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BREMEN OIL FIELD those entering them. Of the many com- 

By L. Rowles Driver. panics which operated in the field only six 

paid dividends, namely: The Bremen Oil 
The Bremen Oil Field in its present ac- ^nd Gas Company, The Avelon Oil and Gas 
tivity had its beginning in the winter of Company, The David Rodafer Oil and 
1907, when Mr. J. E. Purvis with a few Gas Company, The Kerr Oil and Gas Corn- 
associates gathered up a block of leases pany, The Great Expectation Oil and Gas 
and organized "The Bremen Oil and Gas Company, and the Diamond Oil and Gas 
Company." This was the start for the pres- Company. 

ent boom, but we might say that the seed i„ May, 1910, the "Bremen" company 

for this movement was sowed about 17 disposed of its holdings to the Carter Oil 

years previous to this, when Mr. Purvis Company at a lucrative price. Since then 

and others drilled a well which showed the Carter Company have been drilling 

signs of oil but was not properly taken care very conservatively. 

of. Mr. Purvis from that day on always Only when we bring the figures before 

felt assured that Rush Creek township was us of what has been done can we grasp the 

good territory for development of an oil enormity of the development of the field, 

field. The field at its best had a production of 

In May, 1907, his prophecies and untir- 6,000 bbls. daily. We find that in the field 

ing efiforts were realized when the com- 350 wells have been drilled, of which about 

pany in which he had been the main spring 270 have been producers, ranging from 10 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



237 



to 400 bbls. The drilling of these wells 
has necessitated the expenditure of over 
$2,000,000. 

The development has meant an increase 
in population to Bremen of over 100 per 
cent, which probably would have been still 
higher had there not been such a lack of 
houses. To the land owners alone the oil 
field has meant $500,000 in rentals and 
royalties. 



As to the future of this field we can but 
speculate, but with the steady advance of 
crude oil, which bids fair to go from $1.30 
to $2.00 per barrel, it is safe to predict that 
drilling will continue in this field for 15 
years to come. For there is much land 
which looks good for paying wells that re- 
main yet to be developed. 



CHAPTER VIII 



TRANSPORTATION. 

Canals-Tke OUo a,ui Eric Canal-Tire M^a.i anJ Enc ^^'^^^-^^^''^^^y ''jJ'to'cZ 
Wabash and Eric and the Miami Extensron Canas-Thc C^ino and Hockmg 
Canal-Toast of Senator B. IV. Carlisle-Original Stockholders of Lancaster Lateral 
cZal-AbandLcnt-Value Today-Roadn.ys-Railroads of the ^^nnty-^oryj 
their Development-Electric Tractron Lines, a Recent Development-Rmlroad and Trac- 
tion Line Statistics as Relating to Lancaster. 

a million dollars, is constructed upon the 
same plan as the old lock of Leonardo 
da Vinci. This famous lock in the "Soo" 
is of solid masonry, 800 feet long, 100 feet 
wide, and 21 feet deep. It is also a matter 
of surprise that so few people today under- 
stand the working of a canal lock, or have 
ever seen one. 

The canal has always been recognized 
as a great aid to civilization, and will ever 
be so regarded. The first canal in the 
United States of any consequence was the 
Erie Canal, 336 miles long, connecting the 
Hudson River at Albany and Troy with 
Lake Erie at Bufifalo. It was begun in 
1817 and finished in 1825, at a cost of 
$7,602,000. It was this canal that made 
the city of New York, and the name of 
Governor DeWitt Clinton will ever be con- 
nected with it as its builder. 

The great success of the Erie Canal in- 
duced the people of Ohio to begin the great 
work of canal building for this State. Gov- 
ernor Clinton lent his great aid to the 



CANALS 

The world has always been interested 
in canals. They are older then the Chris- 
tian era. They were employed as a means 
of navigation and communication by the 
Assyrians, Egyptians, Hindus and Chinese. 
The Royal Canal of Babylon was built 
more than 600 years before Christ. The 
Grand Canal of China connecting two 
rivers, the Yang-tse-Kiang and the Peiho, 
was built in the 13th century. This canal 
is 650 miles long. It has no locks, for the 
Chinese did not know how to build a lock. 

It is a most interesting fact in history 
that the common canal lock in use today 
was invented in Italy in 1481, A. D., by 
Leonardo da Vinci, the great Florentme 
painter. It is said, however, that the honor 
is also claimed by Holland. It is some- 
what strange that this lock invented so 
long ago has never been improved upon; 
in fact the most expensive lock in the 
xvorld, the Sault Ste. Marie, costing half 



238 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



239 



movement in Ohio and was present at the 
"opening" on the Licking Summit in Lick- 
ing County, July 4, 1825. He made an ad- 
dress there and retnoved the first shovel- 
ful of earth. 

The history of the canal struggle in 
Ohio is one of long, continuous effort. Af- 
ter many years of ineftective legislation, it 
was finally decided by the legislature, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1825, to construct the Ohio and 
Erie Canal, following the old Scioto-Mus- 
kingum route from Cleveland to Ports- 
mouth and the Miami Canal, following the 
great Miami River from Dayton to Cin- 
cinnati. It was also promised to extend 
the Miami Canal to Toledo in a few years. 
The work on the Ohio and Erie Canal 
commenced at once and was pushed along 
very rapidly. The city of Akron started 
from a group of shanties occupied by Irish- 
men who were working on this canal. The 
pay for laborers during the first few years 
of this work was 30 cents a day, with plain 
board, and a "jiggerfull of whiskey." The 
work on the Miami Canal was not to be- 
gin until December i, 1831, by legislative 
enactment. Construction, however, did not 
begin until 1833. The cost of this canal 
work was paid in part by land grants from 
the government and from Ohio and Indiana. 
Congress, which had on March 2, 1827, 
granted to the State of Indiana, to aid in 
opening a canal to unite at navigable points 
the Wabash River with Lake Erie, a {|uan- 
tity of land equal to one-half of five sec- 
tions in width on each side of the canal. 
did, by an act approved May 24, 182S. 
grant to the State of Ohio, to aid in ex- 
tending the Miami Canal from Davton to 
the Maumee River, a quantity of land equal 
to one-half of five sections in width on each 
side of the canal from Dayton to the Mau- 



mee River at the mouth of the Auglaize, 
so far as the canal should traverse public 
land. The act reserved to the United 
States each alternate section of the land un- 
sold, with the provision that such reserved 
land should not be sold at less than $2.50 
per acre. The number of acres included in 
this grant was 438,301.32. 

Indiana, learning after examination that a 
canal connecting the Wabash with Lake Erie 
would have to pass through Ohio, thought it 
advisable to propose to Ohio to transfer to her 
such part of the land granted to her by Con- 
gress. March 2. 1827. as lay within Ohio, if 
tile latter would build the Wabash and Erie 
Canal from the Indiana State line to Lake Erie. 
To enable her to d(j this, section 4 of the act 
to aid Ohio to construct the Miami Canal from 
Dayton to the Maumee River authorized In- 
diana to convey to Ohio, upon such terms as 
might be agreed upon by the two States, any 
land in Ohio given Indiana bv the grant of 
March 2. 1827. 

Section 5 of the act of May 24, 1828. gave 
Ohio further grants of 500,000 acres of gov- 
ernment land in Ohio to aid her in the paj-- 
ment of the canal debt or interest, such land to 
be disposed of for this purpo.se and no other. 
Indiana having received the authority of 
Congress by resolution approved February t, 
1834. conveyed to Ohio her right, title and 
interest to lands in Ohio, which she had re- 
ceived from Congress for canal construction. 
This contract was ratified by Ohio in a joint 
resolution passed February 24, 1834. Thus 
passed to Ohio another grant of land amount- 
ing to 292,223.51 acres. 

These three land grants gave to Ohio a 
total of 1.230,521.95 acres of land to be sold 
for the aid of her canals. The State has sold 
most of these lands for .$2,257,487.32, and has 
remaining, principally within the limits of the 



- 240 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Grand Reservoir, land worth perhaps $ioo,- 
ooo. 

A week after accepting the land grant from 
Indiana, the Ohio Legislature, on March 3, 
1834, authorized the construction of the 
Wabash and Erie Canal. The selection of the 
line for this canal was made by the Board of 
Public Works, April 8, 1836, and Governor 
Lucas having recommended its early com- 
mencement, the work of construction began in 
1837. This canal was completed in 1842, 
being 67.75 miles long from its junction with 
the Miami Extension Canal to Toledo, and 
having a water surface width of 60 feet, a bot- 
tom width of 46 feet, and a depth of 6 feet. 

The Miami Extension Canal was com- 
pleted three years later, 1845, and was 114 
miles long, 5 feet deep, 36 feet wide at the 
bottom, and 50 feet wide at the top. 

Just two years to a day after the auspic- 
ious opening of the canals, the first boat de- 
scended the northern section of the Ohio and 
Erie Canal from Akron to Cleveland. "She 
was cheered in her passage by thousands 
* * * who had assembled from the ad- 
jacent country at different points on the canal 
to witness the novel and interesting sight." 
This boat arrived at Cleveland, July 4, 1827, 
after having descended through 41 locks, 
passed over three aqueducts, and through t,j 
miles of canal. It is worthy of note that this 
was the most difficult and expensive part of the 
line to construct. Besides this, several miles 
more of unconnected sections of the canal had 
been finished. 

A little later, navigation also began on the 
Miami Canal. On November 28, 1827, "three 
fine boats, crowded with citizens delighted 
with the novelty and interest of the occasion, 
left the basin, six miles north of Cincinnati 
and proceeded to Middletown with the most 
perfect success. The progress of the boats 



was about three miles an hour, including locks 
and other detentions. The return trip was 
made with equal success." 

By an act of the Legislature, March 14, 
1849, the three canals previously known as the 
Miami Canal, the Miami Extension Canal, and 
the Wabash and Erie, became known as the 
Miami and Erie Canal, and so it has remained 
to this day. It is impossible to state the value 
of this canal to the country through which it 
passes. 

Undoubtedly the canal has greatly aided the 
development of the county and is yet of great 
financial worth. The State should protect 
this property and increase its efficiency, for 
the usefulness of the canal, both as a source 
of water power and as a means of cheap trans- 
portation, is not yet exhausted. 

The whole length of the Miami and Erie 
Canal is 301.49 miles. It cost $8,062,680.80. 
The gifts of land by the State greatly reduced 
the cost to the taxpayers. 

Two canals (Ohio and Hocking) pass 
through the central part of Fairfield County. 
The Ohio Canal traverses its surface a dis- 
tance of nearly 30 miles. It enters the county 
through Winchester in the southwest corner 
of Violet township, through Section 32 ; it 
then assumes a southeast course, passing 
through the northern border of the village of 
Carroll, in Greenfield township. It then runs 
east across the southeast corner of Liberty 
township, passing the village of Baltimore and 
Basil, entering Walnut township, turns north 
and passes out of the county through Section 
22. 

The Hocking Canal opens into the Ohio 
Canal at Carroll. From this point it runs 
southeast, entering Hocking Valley near Hook- 
ers Station, four miles above Lancaster. Pass- 
ing Lancaster on its western border and enter- 
ing Berne township, continuing in a south- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



241 



east direction, it passes out of the county south 
of Sugar Grove, through Section lo, and runs 
via Logan, Nelsonville and Chauncey to 
Athens, 53 miles from Carroll (Graham's 
History of Fairfield and Perry Counties). 

The Ohio Canal was begun in 1825 and fin- 
ished in 1830. 

Part of the Hocking Canal, called the Lan- 
caster Lateral (the names of the original stock- 
holders are found herewith) was built from 
Carroll to Lancaster by a private company 
incorporated February i, 1825. The remain- 
der was built by the State; 16 miles from Lan- 
caster toward Athens was contracted for July 
13, 1836; the second division to Nelsonville 
was contracted for October 16, 1837; the 
third division from Nelsonville to Athens Sep- 
tember 4, 1838. That year the Lancaster 
Lateral was purchased by the State. 

Legislation in Ohio, looking toward a canal 
was agitated as early as 182 1. It was not at 
first popular and failed of passage. Finally 
it was coupled, as was frequently done in an 
early day, with a popular taxation meas- 
ure, and in 1822 three measures passed both 
branches of the legislature. Commissioners 
were appointed to employ an engineer. They 
employed Mr. James Geddes of New York. 
He first examined the route to Columbus via 
Cuyahoga Summit, arriving in Columbus in 
June, 1822. During the summer and fall he 
travelled 900 miles. At last it was decided to 
locate the starting point at the mouth of the 
Cuyahoga River at Lake Erie, entering the 
Ohio at the mouth of the Scioto. 

The same year a canal was located between 
Cincinnati and Dayton. 

SENATOR Carlisle's toast 

The following response of Senator Carlisle 
to a toast, "The Hocking Canal," given on 
the occasion of the anniversary of the Hock- 



ing Sentinel at Logan, April 26, 1877, gives 
a complete history of the canal. 

"In response to the subject assigned us, we 
beg to be indulged while we review in abstract 
and briefly, the history and reminiscences of 
the Hocking Canal. Its history, though brief, 
and to some probably, monotonous and unin- 
teresting, is fraught with facts important, and 
will be remembered by the pioneers of the 
Hocking. We call upon you friends who have 
lived for two and a half or three score 
years, in this beautiful valley of milk and 
honey to return with us on the wings of mem- 
ory and hear again the shouts of joy echo 
throughout the length and breadth of this 
valley, as we heard them in the earliest days 
of our settlement. 

"The first part of the Hocking Canal was 
built by the Lancaster Lateral Canal Company 
from Lancaster to Carroll, there forming a 
junction with the Ohio Canal. The Lancaster 
Lateral Canal was put under contract in 1832 
by Samuel F. McCracken, Jacob Green, El- 
nathan Scofield, Benjamin Connell and others, 
with Frederick A. Foster as secretary. This 
piece of canal, known at that time as the Lan- 
caster Side Cut, was completed and the first 
boats towed into Lancaster on the Fourth of 
July, 1836, amidst the booming of cannons, 
beating of drums and the waving to the breeze 
of flags and banners, and being witnessed by 
some 10,000 of Fairfield's yeomanry, who 
were assembled at the Cold Spring Hill, near 
Lancaster, where there was a roasted ox and 
a free dinner served, after which the Greens, 
Bill Ferguson and others indulged in the pop- 
ular exercise of fisticuffs. 

"Up to this period our fathers got from 25 
to 40 cents for their wheat; but many of them 
became rich from prices received for their 
surplus products afterwards. Lancaster was 
then one of the large commercial cities of the 



242 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



country, getting all of the grain from most 
parts of the county as well as from parts of 
Perry, Hocking and Pickaway Counties. 
There were nine dry goods stores, all doing 
a thriving business. 

In March, 1838, an act was passed by the 
legislature of the State authorizing the then 
commissioners to purchase the side cut from 
its owners. April 6, 1838, a committee was ap- 
pointed to confer with the Lancaster company 
and negotiate terms; and December 22, 1838, 
a contract was matured for the same, at a 
cost of $61,241.04. 

"The Hocking Canal was projected and put 
under contract by the Board of Public W^orks 
in 1836, that board having just been made to 
substitute the Canal Commissioners of the 
State. Sixteen and a half miles being from 
Lancaster to Bonner's Lock, was put under 
contract in 1837 and to be completed in 1839; 
that portion from Bonner's Lock to Nelson- 
ville being sixteen and a half miles, was put 
under contract in 1837 to be completed in 
1839, but was not completed till 1840. In 
September of this year the first boats loaded 
with coal came out of the Hocking Valley 
and served as a curiosity to most of the upper 
valley citizens who had never seen stone coal. 
In 1 84 1 the canal was completed to Monday 
Creek, being 44 miles from Carroll, and from 
Monday Creek to Athens, completed and 
boats running through in 1841. 

"The Hocking Canal has 31 locks, 8 dams, 
34 culverts and one aqueduct of 80 feet span. 
The total cost of construction of this canal 
was $947,670.65. 

"To the opening of this canal Lancaster, 
Logan, Nelsonville and Athens owed their 
principal prosperity in affording an opening 
for the importation of goods and the exporta- 
tion of grain, pork, lumber, salt and various 
minerals of the Hocking Valley. Hemmed 



in as you were by towering hills, your agri- 
cultural wealth undeveloped, your mineral 
wealth unknown, to the Hocking Canal you 
owe your introduction to the world without. 
Through the medium of the canal a market 
was brought near. The latent wealth of your 
hills was then developed and the beautiful hills 
of Hocking became the hub of the mineral 
wealth of Ohio. 

"By the introduction of this old water-horse 
(the canal) the long hidden treasures of min- 
eral wealth of this valley were brought into 
notice and general use; manufactures built up 
in all the contiguous towns and territories; 
thus affording employment to a large and 
needy class of mechanics : and the employ- 
ment of an equal number of laborers in pene- 
trating the bowels of the earth for fuel, the 
employment of horses, boats and men to ship 
the fuel all along the lines erf our canals, en- 
riching many of the citizens of the valley. 

"Allow me to say in conclusion that, al- 
though the iron horse moves majestically along 
the valley, bearer the greater share of your 
trade, yet the old boat-horse still lives, and pos- 
sesses a large assortment of vitality, and is 
therefore not as yet ready to be turned out to 
die, as some would have him. And if any in- 
animate object were capable of waking in the 
human breast sentiments of gratitude and es- 
teem, these the citizens of the Hocking Valley 
owe to the canal." 

ORIGINAL STOCK SUBSCRIPTION OF THE LAN- 
CASTER LATERAL CANAL COMPANY 

Value of one share $25. 

We, the undersigned, have subscribed 
our names to this and the following sheets, 
for the purpose of making ourselves cor- 
porators in the Lancaster Lateral Canal 
Company, persuant to the act of incorpora- 
tion of said company, passed by the Legis- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



243 



lature of the State of Ohio, on the 8th day 
of February, A. D., 1826, and we do by 
our said signatures make ourselves liold- 
ers of the number of shares attached to 
our names; we do also make ourselves 
responsible for the sums which may be 
from time to time required thereon, per- 
suant to said act of incorporation, and we 
subject ourselves to the future rules, regu- 
lations and by-laws of said corporation : 

No. of Shares. 

E. Scofield 10 

T. Ewing 10 

Sam'l Effinger 25 

John Thether 5 

S. F. Maccracken 25 

G. Ring and J. Rice 10 

Wm. Crook 2 

\Vm. M. Tong 5 

A. Younkin 2 

George Beery 2 

Samuel Igbrand 5 

H. H. Hunter 3 

Wm. Lewis 2 

John Latta 10 

Christian Ressler 2 

Jacob Church i 

Tole McManamy i 

Christian Hooker 2 

David Rees 10 

Jacob Fellerson 2 

Jacob Arnold i 

Tenatt Maclin 2 

Joseph Grubb 5 

Henry Arnold 10 

George Weiss 5 

Timothy Green 3 

John W. Geisey 10 

John Creed 20 

Andrew Buchanan 2 

Campell & Rusill 10 



No. of Shares. 

G. Steinman 10 

Geo. Sanderson 3 

F. A. Foster 10 

John A. Collins 5 

Hugh Boyle 10 

Jacob Yong 5 

John Crook i 

Seymore Scovill 5 

Samuel Hand 5 

Henry Drum i 

Josonnus Curty i, 

Christian King 20 

Christopher Weaver 10 

Robert R. Claspill 2 

Robert McNeille 2 

Daniel Arnold 10 

William Trimble 3 

Benj. Connell 6 

John Ornig 2 

Adam Weaver 18 

Geo. Kaufifman 2 

M. Garaghty 16 

Jedh. Allen 2 

Walter McDonald i 

John Noble 10 

Gideon Martin 2 

Isaac Havens 2 

Catherine Williamson 5 

David Suayze, Jr i 

William Coulson 2 

George Hoot i 

William Broomfield i 

John A. Shrofife i 

Ezra Clark 3 

P. M. Weddill 2 

James White 5 

Jacob Beck, Sr 3 

C. R. Sherman 5 

W. W. Irvin (per Maccracken) 10 

Christian Neibling 3 

Rudolph P. Hunar 2 



244 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



No. of Shares. 

Samuel Matlack i 

Wm. Bodenhimer 2 

Wm. Williamson (per Sumpter) 3 

Samuel Weakley 2 

Samuel Herr 2 

Michael Nigh 2 

Elkanah Watter i 

Abram Middleswarth i 

J. Stalsmith i 

Jacob Mackling 3 

Joseph Stuckey 2 

Nathaniel W. Latimer i 

Jacob Adams 2 

Henry Bubble 2 

Jacob Greene 10 

Frederick A. Shaeffer 5 

Joseph Work i 

James Hampson (per E. Scofield) 10 

Nicholas Beery 2 

Joshua Clark 3 

E. G. Pomeroy 2 

John Flerman 2 

Lancaster Ohio Bank by John Creed .... 50 

Jacob Claypool 5 

Jacob Dietrick 3 

P. Beecher and J. Beecher 15 

A. Pitcher 10 

Lewis L. Clark 3 

Wm. Summer 4 

Wm. Cox 10 

Joseph A. Greene 15 

John Anthony 2 

David Rokohl 5 

Henry Stanberry 5 

Nicholas Beery 2 

Robert M. Smith i 

Hoe 3 

P. A. Cassat i 

Joseph Work 2 

Robert Wilson 2 

John V. Pearse 2 



No. of Shares. 

P. H. Smith I 

Apr. 28, Aug. Witte 20 

183 1, Martin Parker i 

1831, Hanson and Heliner i 

Grory Mayer i 

T. McCabe i 

John McCabe 2 

James Gates i 

H. H. W^aite i 

K. Slaughter i 

Daniel Smith 2 

Wm. N. Thorne & Co 2 

Geo. Myers 2 

George Laelill i 

Hunter & Eddingfield i 

Ellison Martin 

John Cafifman I 

Abraham 

Frederick Imkoff i 

B. B. Light I 

Henry Bauman ^ 

Jacob Wagner, Jacob Waggoner J/2 

Jacob Lamb i 

Jesse Wotts i 

David Ewing 2 

William Jessell i 

Wm. J. Reese 2 

Theodore Williamson i 

Lamuell Kisler Yi 

S. B. Watts Yz 

Apr. 29, Thos. Man i 

Robert Carmi 2 

George W. Williamson i 

Jacob Huber, Sr 2 

George Eversole Yt. 

Henry Eversole J4 

Thomas Anderson i 

his 
Geo. X Ward (per S. F. Maccracken) . . i 

mark 
John Welshimer i 




OI.U HRIDGE AT ZAXESVILLE (Zaiie's Tiuio 

From "Historic Higlnvays of America." by Courtesy of the Publishers. C opvriulited ]i,)04 by 'J'lie 

Arthur H. Clark Company. 




AX (ILD COXESTlA.A IKEU.IITKR OX ZAXE'S Ti;A(_K 

Krom 'Historic Highways of America." by Courtesy of the Publishers, t'opyrighted 
1904 by The Arthur H. I'lark Company. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 247 

No. of Shares. roadways 

John Wylie (draw two per cent) 2 jt^, „^, 

o ,1 r> -, i^dmund Burke says: There be three 

Sam I Beery 2 / 

T J T> ]. T ^ things that make a nation great and prosperous 

JclCOD OCCKj jr — '11 

T , T1 1 1 T T/ — ^ fertile sou, busy workshops and easy corn- 
John Padden, Jr /2 . ' \ \ „ \ 

TT ^- T- r munication from place to place. Fairfield 

Horatio Evans i „ , „ .V \ 

T ,-r- , ^, , County has all of these, and many more ad- 
Isaac Minteeth i ■' „, ^ ., ., , , -' , 

„ 1 T ^1 T vantages, ihe fertile sou has brought wealth, 

Samuel Leather i " ,, . , " ' 

T T 1 1 , contentment and happiness to her farmers ; her 

J. Imbeck i , .. ., , ,,, 

, , TT 1 T ^ shops and factories have been noted for the 

John Ruber, Jr 2 \, . ^ , . , ^ 

T . r- ^. r\cc ■, quality and quantity of their products. But 

Lancaster Gazette Ofhce i , -^ , , -^ , '. ,, 

y . P , . the county has long been especially fortunate 

T , T^ A r J in the number and grade of her turnpikes and 

John B. Meed i , , , . ^ , , ^, 

„, Ti Ti 1 T/ roads, there being today almost a thousand 

Thomas B. Peeler >^ ., . , . , " ^ 

T T^ TT . T/ miles within the county. 

Jesse U. Hunter Y2 ^ 

David W. Bildermits i ^°°^ ^^'^^ ^^^^ formed a large element in 

Martin Lautzer (per J. Work) i ^he life of every civilized nation and the names 

Tacob Guile i °^ these highways are almost as prominent as 

1 ■ the nations themselves. Who has not read of 

Edward X McCauley (per S. F. Mac- "The Great Trans-Siberian Road," "The St. 

mark cracken) /a Bernard Pass" over the Alps," "The Appian 

Jonathan Coulson i ^ay," and the "Corso" of Rome; "Broad- 
Nathan Weakley i '^'^y-" ^^^ °'^ ""^^^ ^'■°''" *^ Battery north 

Valentine Cuo -^ along the Hudson, now claimed to be the long- 
Jonathan Hattery ' '. ! ' ^ ! ' ' ^ ! ! T. ! ! !'. ^ ^ ! ! >^ ^^^ ^t""^^* '" ^^^ ^^^o""^^ = "The Old Pennsylvania 

Peter Barnhard /2 ^°^^" ^'""^ Philadelphia to Pittsburg; "The 

National Road" from Cumberland to Van- 

By acts of April 11, 1873, April 11, 1876, d^^^^' ""^ "^^"^'^ Trace?" 
and May 18, 1894. the entire Hocking Canal Thus we see the importance of good roads, 

was abandoned. Not so with the Erie, Ohio for this famous old National Road, which was 

and Miami Canals. For in Ohio the income to planned by Albert Gallatin to follow Zane's 

the state from the canal lands, and the water Trace, really made the cities of Columbus, In- 

rental derived from the canal as a source of dianapolis and Vandalia. The "Good Roads" 

water power is greater than that derived from movement is one of the most important now 

them in their palmiest days— ten, twenty and before the people and is nation-wide, 
thirty years ago. Dayton, Piqua, Delphos, The most noted roads of this county are 

Akron and Canal Dover, and other cities use The Lancaster and New Salem road, about 12 

water power from canals for manufacturing miles long — a most excellent road; the Cedar 

purposes. The income from canals in Ohio Hill Pike ; the Baltimore and Kirkersville road, 

is about $130,000 annually and it is estimated leading north from Lancaster, passing through 

that in 1912 it will amount to $150,000. the cut at "Shimp's Hill," and on into Licking 



248 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



County; the Lancaster and Lithopolis Pike, 
and the Lancaster and Carroll Pike, passing 
through Carroll and on to Canal Winchester ; 
the Amanda Road and the State Reform Farm 
Road. There are many miles of good mac- 
adam in the county, of recent construction, 
especially in Walnut township, where there are 
fourteen miles of limestone road, superior in 
quality to many pikes. The following excel- 
lent account of Fairfield's roadways is from 
the report of Mr. H. C. Belt, clerk to the 
county commissioners, submitted for publica- 
tion in January, 19 12. 

The act of the General Assembly passed at 
its session last winter relating to the office of 
State Highway Commissioner, required among 
other matters that the County Commissioners 
report to the Highway Commissioner the mile- 
age of roads within the county, an enumera- 
tion of the principal used highways, their 
condition as to matter of repair, cliaracter of 
materials, width of roadway, established width 
and many other details together with expend- 
itures for construction and repair of roads, 
and for construction and repair of l)ridges 
and culverts. This report to be accompanied 
by a map of the county, giving accurate loca- 
tion of all the roads, state, county and town- 
ship, showing in different colors the \'arious 
materials of which composed. 

H. C. Belt, Commissioners' Clerk and J. R. 
Schopp, County Surveyor, have completed the 
report and map. This report and map has 
been prepared, to a great extent from data 
furnished by the several Boards of Trustees 
of the townships. Many things were of neces- 
sity omitted from the report because it was 
impossible to secure reliable information with- 
out going over certain parts of the county to 
procure the same. In several of the townships, 
the Township Trustees went over the roads 
of their townships and procured the neces- 
sary data, and were thereby enabled to make 
full and accurate reports. In preparing this 
report it is found that because of the chaotic 
condition of the records of roads established 
years ago, and the fact that there is no accurate 



county map in existence showing the roads 

of the county that it was impossible to make 
this report and map as accurate as it should 
be. 

A detailed report is made on ten principal 
highways of the county, because of their in- 
ter-county importance. They are as follows : 
Zanesville & Maysville pike; Winchester pike; 
Sugar Grove pike ; Amanda & Circle\ille pike ; 
Cedar Hill pike; Infirmary pike; Pleasantville 
pike ; Baltimore pike ; Lancaster & Lithopolis 
pike ; and Hamburg pike. These roads lieing 
highways extending from Lancaster to prin- 
cipal cities and towns in adjoining counties. 

The report shows 997 miles of highways 
in Fairfield county of which 228 miles are 
maintained by the County Commissioners and 
are termed improved roads, and consist of 78 
miles of macadam and 150 miles of graveled 
road. 

The various Boards of Township Trustees 
control and maintain 769 miles of road, dis- 
tributed as follows : Amanda township, 40 
miles ; Bloom township, 55 miles ; Berne town- 
ship, 98 miles; Clearcreek township, 60 miles; 
(jreenfield township, 47^ miles ; Hocking 
township, 52 miles; Liberty township, 78 
miles; Madison township, 46^ miles; Pleasant 
township, 61 miles; Rushcreek township, 583^ 
miles; Richland township, 43 miles; Violet 
township 60 miles ; Walnut township, 70 miles. 
This mileage does not include pikes. Seven 
townships have in their reports indicated the 
surfacing materials used on their roads. Lib- 
erty township reports that they have five miles 
of macadam or limestone road under their 
jurisdiction improved for the most part by 
money levied locally. Pleasant township re- 
ports six miles built in the same way. and 
Walnut township, reports fourteen. In Wal- 
nut township, the people by their poi>ular vote 
several years ago adopted the policy of a 
special levy for money to be expended for 
limestone, and their fourteen miles of lime- 
stone road, which is superior to many of the 
so-called pikes, is the result. This township 
is the only one of the county having no gravel 
fit for road building. Brick roads are found 
in Hocking township being the drives at the 
Boys' Industrial School. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



249 



The improved roads, or pikes under the con- 
trol of the Commissioners are distributed as 
follows : Amanda township, 26 miles ; Bloom 
township, 25^ miles; Berne township, I$y2 
miles; Clearcreek township, 15 miles; Green- 
field township, 24 miles; Hocking township, 19 
miles; Liberty township, 22^/^ miles; Madison 
township, 10 miles; Pleasant township, 19 
miles; Rushcreek township, 9^ miles; Rich- 
land township, 4^2 miles ; Violet township, 20 
miles; Walnut township, lyyi miles. 

The amounts in round numbers expended 
per mile of road by the several Boards of 
Trustees are as follows : Amanda township. 
$86.00; Bloom township, $29.00; Berne town- 
ship, $35.00; Clearcreek township, $43.00; 
Greenfield township, $60.00; Hocking town- 
ship, $43.00; Liberty township. $52.00; Pleas- 
ant township, $65.00; Richland township, 
$28.00; Rushcreek township, $42.00; Violet 
township, $56.00; Walnut township, $50.00. 

The Commissioners, in the year ending Sep- 
tember I, 191 1, expended on the 228 miles 
under their control, the sum of $50,608.32, or 
about $222.00 per mile. In addition to this 
the Board expended for general road purposes 
other than on pikes, the sum of $5,226.24, this 
being used for making fills, cutting hills and 
otherwise assisting various townships with im- 
portant road improvements. 

The report further shows that there has 
been expended by the Commissioners and 
Township Trustees for the construction of 
bridges and culverts the sum of $25.38, and 
for the repair of bridges and culverts the sum 
of $127.50. 

The roads of Fairfield County compare 
favorably with those of other central Ohio 
counties, and considering the scarcity of first 
class road building material within its bor- 
ders, it is remarkable that so many good 
roads are to be found therein. 

The Zanesville & Maysville Pike, extend- 
ing from the Pickaway County line at Tarle- 
ton, through Lancaster to the Perry County 
line east of Rushviile, over the route of 
Zane's Trace practically, is one of the old- 



est established roads of the county. This 
was formerly a toll road, constructed by 
The Zanesville & Maysville Turnpike Com- 
pany, and we are informed that it was a 
part of a road extending from northeastern 
Ohio south through Kentucky, Tennessee 
and to a point somewhere in Alabama. 
This road is a part of a national highway 
suggested in a recent magazine article, 
proposed to extend from Buffalo, N. Y., 
to New Orleans, to be called the Jefferson 
Memorial Road. (This is a suggestion of 
some good roads enthusiast and in the 
opinion of the writer is entitled to con- 
sideration, if the Federal Government en- 
ters upon the construction of good roads 
as now desired by many people.) The Z. 
& M. Pike in this county was purchased 
of the operating company in 1891, the 
gates removed and the road thrown open 
as a free pike. 

Several other roads were constructed by 
turnpike companies, operated as toll roads 
fcjr a number of years, but all are now 
free roads. 

Some of the principal pikes were con- 
structed under the one and two mile as- 
sessment laws. All others, except those 
constructed by turnpike companies, were 
constructed on a plan peculiar to Fairfield 
County. Citizens residing in the vicinity 
of the road sought to be improved would 
raise by popular subscription an amount 
from ;i^ 1/3 7^' to 40% of the cost of the 
improvement proposed ; to this the town- 
ship trustees would pledge enough, to be 
paid from the township road levy, to make 
the whole amount subscribed 50% or 60% 
of the estimated cost of the improvement; 
the commissioners then apjjropriate enough 
to make up the full cost of the improve- 
ment, appoint a superintendent of construe- 



250 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



tion and construct the road, permitting 
persons subscribing to work out his sub- 
scription if he so desired. After a road was 
improved so as to conform to the standard 
required by the statute, the commissioners 
by resolution took over the road and there- 
after maintained the same as a free im- 
proved road. 

The commissioners of this county as yet 
have made no experiments with oil, tar or 
asphaltum binders in road construction, but 
are awaiting with interest the result of ex- 
periments elsewhere. 

The State Highway Department have ap- 
proved an application by the commissioners 
for four and a half miles of road, to be con- 
structed from the Pleasant Valley Church in 
Walnut township to the Licking County Line 
over the old Granville Road. This stretch of 
four and a half miles will make all inter- 
county roads improved roads, when this is con- 
structed. This is the only new construction 
in view at the present time. 

There is no good roads association in the 
county, organized as such, but we may safely 
say that the interest in good roads in Fair- 
field County is equal to that of any other. The 
time is here when the average tax payer is 
perfectly willing to pay the necessary taxes for 
the construction and improvement of roads, 
recognizing the fact that bad roads operate in 
a negative way as the heaviest tax on his in- 
come that he has to bear. 

zane's trace 

The Romans were the greatest road build- 
ers in history. The Roman roads have been 
noted in all ages and in all countries. Perhaps 
the most celebrated road in all history is the 
Appian Way, built by Appius Claudius, the 
Censor, 313 B. C, leading south from Rome, 



"straight as the eagle's flight." Parts of this 
road are in just as good condition as when 
constructed 2,225 years ago. They knew how 
to construct a road that would stand the test 
of time. This is the great question now be- 
fore the people of Fairfield County and Ohio, 
and this demand for better roads is national. 

The plan of construction now under con- 
sideration is that there should be two roads 
side by side, leading across the country, one 
a dirt road for summer use, the other a high- 
grade macadamized road, both well drained 
and sufficiently elevated. In this connection 
it might be of interest to note the manner of 
construction of the celebrated Roman road re- 
ferred to above — the Appian Way. 

Much time and expense was put upon the 
foundation. The ground was thoroughly 
drained, then all soil was removed from the 
substructure, then various layers of fine stone 
cemented by lime were put down. Lastly 
came the pavement, consisting of large, hard 
hexagonal blocks of stone, of basaltic lava, 
or marble, and so perfectly joined that it is 
yet impossible for one to discover the joints. 
These blocks are yet so perfect as to defy in- 
spection, and when the long years of usage are 
taken into consideration the workmanship 
seems marvelous. The same is true of the 
old Roman roads in England, upon which the 
modern railway companies have placed their 
tracks, thus forming the best possible road- 
beds. 

But the roadway that interests us most in 
this history, is one no less valuable or noted 
than the Appian Way, and one which was 
built upon the same plan as was that famous 
Roman road. It is "Zane's Trace." Count- 
less thousands have journeyed along this fa- 
mous old road that was once the path of the 
wild beasts of the forest, the trail of the Indian, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



251 



the blazed bridle path of the pioneer and the 
great National Highway — the road that is 
"nobody knows how old." 

Ebenezer Zane was an intrepid pioneer, born 
1747, in the Valley of the Potomac in Vir- 
ginia, but whose life was largely spent in 
Ohio. His remains, and those of his family, 
rest in a neglected grave at Martin's Ferry, 
Belmont County, Ohio. He was a thrifty, 
hard-working man, honest and courageous. 
He married Elizabeth McCulloh, who was, 
like himself, a lover of the forest. They 
early accumulated considerable property, be- 
coming the founders of Wheeling in 1770, 
though the town was not regularly laid out 
until 1793. On consulting the oldest records 
and documents, we find that Ebenezer Zane 
held title to all the land upon which the city 
of Wheeling now stands ; also the island in 
the river, and considerable valuable agricul- 
tural lands along the Ohio on the Ohio side 
of the river. He had learned through his 
brother Jonathan and others that there was 
much valuable land far in the interior of Ohio, 
along the Muskingum. In his early manhood 
he had opened a road from Pittsburg to 
Wheeling. Now, the rich lands about the 
Muskingum, and on to the west are attracting 
the attention of settlers, and Zane at once 
sees the necessity and the advantage of a road- 
way connecting all the settlements with the 
Ohio, and Wheeling and the East. 

Thus this road stands alone among the great 
roadways in America, for it springs not as the 
result or demand of war, but of civilization ; 
and not for exploration and settlement, but 
because those settlements were already there. 
Therefore, to aid struggling humanity in the 
wilds of central and southern Ohio, Ebenezer 
Zane, through a member of Congress, Mr. 
Brown of Kentucky, on March 25, 1796, pre- 
sented a memorial to Congress "praying lib- 



erty to locate such bounty lands lying at the 
crossing of certain rivers mentioned in the 
said memorial, as may be necessary to enable 
him to establish ferries and open a road 
through the territory northwest of the Ohio 
to the State of Kentucky." The memorial was 
passed and approved May 17, 1796. 

"An Act to authorize Ebenezer Zane to lo- 
cate certain lands in the territory of the 
United States northwest of the river Ohio." 

"Be it enacted, etc.. That upon the condi- 
tions hereinafter mentioned, there shall be 
granted to Ebenezer Zane three tracts of land, 
not exceeding one mile square each, one on 
the Muskingum river, one on the Hocking 
river, and one on the north bank of tlie Scioto 
river, and in such situations as shall best pro- 
mote the utility of a road to be opened by him 
on the most eligible route between Wheeling 
and Limestone, to be approved by the Presi- 
dent of the United States, or such persons as 
he shall appoint for that purpose; Provided 
such tracts shall not interfere with any exist- 
ing claim, location or survey, nor include any 
salt spring, nor the lands on either side of 
the river Hocking at the falls thereof. 

"Sec. 2. — And be it further enacted, That 
upon the said Zane's procuring at his own ex- 
pense, the said tracts to be surveyed in such 
a way and manner as the President, of the 
United States shall approve, and returning into 
the treasury of the United States plats thereof, 
together with warrants granted by the United 
States for military land bounties to the amount 
of the number of acres contained in the said 
three tracts; and also producing satisfactory 
proof, by the first day of January next, that 
the aforesaid road is opened, and ferries es- 
tablished upon the rivers aforesaid, for the 
accommodation of travelers, and giving secur- 
ity that such ferries shall be maintained dur- 
ing the pleasure of Congress ; the President 
of the United States shall be, and he hereby 
is, authorized and empowered to issue letters 
patent, in the name and under the seal of the 
United States, thereby granting and conveying 
to the said Zane and his heirs, the said tracts 
of land located and surveyed as aforesaid; 



252 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



which patents shall be countersigned by the 
secretary of State, and recorded in his office : 
Provided alix'ays, That the rates of ferriage, 
at such ferries, shall from time to time, be 
ascertained (inspected) by any two of the 
judges of the territory northwest of the river 
Ohio, or such other authority as shall be ap- 
pointed for that purpose. 

Approved May 17, 1796." 
(U. S. Statutes at Large, Private Laws 1789- 
1845. P- 77-) 

After the passage of this enabling act, Mr. 
Zane, aided by his brother Jonathan, and his 
son-in-law, John Mclntire, both experienced 
woodsmen and Indian fighters, began work 
with vigor upon the 226 miles of almost un- 
broken wilderness. The work consisted, in 
all probability of cutting a broad path, or trace, 
through the woods. They followed the In- 
dian trail — the old, old, "Mingo trail" — from 
the Ohio to the Muskingum. This passed 
near the center of Belmont, Guernsey and 
Muskingum counties, avoiding the low marshy 
places, but keeping well upon the ridges and 
hills. In time this rude bridle path became 
a much-used highway, with hundreds of pack- 
horses and mules going over it daily. Cordu- 
roys were cut and laid in the low wet places; 
then the plank roads, and finally the macadam, 
and we have the old Indian trail at its widest 
and best, and we now call it the "National 
Road." This noted roadway runs almost ex- 
actly upon Zane's trace from Wheeling to Lan- 
caster, and on to Chillicothe. 

At Zanesville, named in honor of Ebenezer 
Zane, the "Trace" crossed the Muskingum for 
many years by means of a ferry, as was pro- 
vided in the enabling Act of Congress. Then 
a rude bridge, a faithful copy of which is 
shown herewith, was used. Then came the 
first, second and third "Y" bridge — the bridge 
of today. 

The "Trace" entered Fairfield County on 



the National Road, or more properly speaking, 
"The Zanesville and Maysville Pike," east of 
East Rushville ; thence it followed that road to 
Lancaster. 

Zane's Trace passed through the present vil- 
lages of East and West Rushville. Edward 
Murphy kept a hotel near this road, a short 
distance from West Rushville. Among the 
many distinguished guests who partook of the 
bounties of this hotel at various times were 
General Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. 
The old hotel— now a rather dilapidated struc- 
ture — is still standing (1883). (Graham's His- 
tory of Fairfield and Perry Counties.) 

In Lancaster the authorities differ as to the 
exact course of the "Trace," but it is generally 
accepted that the course followed Wheeling 
street as far as to Columbus street. Thence it 
must have turned to the south, crossing the 
Hocking, near what was for many years known 
as Coates' Cabin. This crossing was about 
1 ,000 feet below the present bridge. 

From Lancaster the "Trace" followed the 
Zanesville and Maysville Pike to Chillicothe, 
passing through a corner of Pickaway County, 
through the widely known "Pickaway Plains." 
The old "Trace" then made its way through 
the western part of Pike and the central part 
of Adams, and a small corner of Brown 
County, reaching the Ohio at Maysville, Ken- 
tucky. (Old Limestone.) Thus it will be seen 
that this road crossed through ten counties of 
the state, from the Ohio at Wheeling to the 
Ohio at Maysville — in all 226 miles. 

From this road, as it grew in usefulness, 
other roads were made to reach other points. 
The famous "Bull- Skin Road," leading from 
the Pickaway Plains to Detroit, was an ex- 
ample. This road was so named from the 
large number of dead cattle to be found along 
the long rough route. 

It will be remembered that, bv Act of Con- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



253 



gress a ferry was to be established at the cross- 
ing of the Muskingum, the Hocking and the 
Scioto, and that the ferriage was to be regu- 
lated by the federal judges. The Court of 
Quarter Sessions met at Adamsville, in Adams 
County, December 12, 1797, and fixed the fol- 
lowing as the legal rates of ferriage across the 
Scioto and the Ohio. 

SCIOTO RIVER. 

Man and horse $o.i2j/< cts. 

Single o6j4 cts. 

Wagon and team 75 cts. 

Homed cattle (each) o6j4 cts. 

OHIO RIVER. 

Man and horse $0.18^/2 cts. 

Single 09>4 cts. 

Wagon and team 1.15 cts. 

Horned cattle 09^4 cts. 

Thus we see that it cost something in the 
early days to ferry a stream and no doubt the 
cost was about the same for the Scioto and 
the Hocking. 

One of the means of support for the roads 
in the early years was a toll rate per each 
mile traveled — a long since abandoned; an- 
other was the "road-tax" which was to be 
worked out by each male citizen. It was a 
question, however, as to the amount of real 
work done, as is indicated by some rhymster 
of the day: 

"Oh, our life was tough and tearful, and its 
toil was often fearful. 
And often we grew faint beneath the load; 
But there came a glad vacation and a sweet 
alleviation. 
When we used to work our tax out on the 
road. 

"When we used to work our tax out, then we 
felt the joys of leisure. 
And we felt no more the prick of labor's 
goad; 

IS 



Then we shared the golden treasure of sweet 
rest in fullest measure. 
When we used to work our tax out on the 
road." 

(From Hulbert's Historic Highways.) 

As has already been explained, the lots laid 
out at the direction of Ebenezer Zane in 1799, 
"at the place where the Trace crossed the 
Hocking near the Standing Stone," were put 
on sale and the town, in honor of the German 
settlers, was called Lancaster, in memory of 
the old town and the rich county of. the same 
name in Pennsylvania. The modern Lancaster 
may well be proud of her name, for the county 
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is said to be the 
richest agricultural county in the world. This 
ancient path is still the most used highway in 
the county. If we had the exact number who 
pass over some part of its course each 24 hours 
the results would startle us, as does the num- 
ber of those who pass London Bridge. 

This road is intensely interesting in y,et an- 
other way. It was the cause of a test case to 
determine whether or not the government had 
the right to aid in the building of state — tTiat 
is, purely local-roads by taking or buying 
shares in local turnpike companies. This ques- 
tion was raised by the fact that a "ImII author- 
izing the subscription of stock in the Mays- 
ville, Washington, Paris and Lexington Turn- 
pike Road Company" was passed by Congress 
in 1830. This was the name of the Kentucky 
end of the Maysville Pike. This opened up the 
whole question of internal improvements, and 
thousands wanted the government to help the 
individual states. President Andrew Jackson 
thought otherwise, and with a vigorous argu- 
ment against the measure, he settled the ques- 
tion once for all with his veto. This had a bad 
effect on the development of the country, for 
the veto applied alike to the Baltimore & Ohio 
railway, then under construction, and to canals 



254 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



as well. (See Reizenstein's "The Economic there is a benefactor, there is a missionary, a 
History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.") pacificator, a wcalth-bringer, a maker of mar- 
kets, a vent for industry."* 

AS A POST ROAD 

As soon as the "Trace" was opened post- 
offices and mail routes were established by the 
government. In Lancaster, in 1799, say the 
old records, a postoffice was opened, and with 
Samuel Coates Sr. as first postmaster. Boys 
were usually employed to carry the mails. 
General George Sanderson, the historian of 
those early times, was, when a lad of fourteen, 
employed as mail carrier between Lancaster 
and Chillicothe. Along this forest path the 
meager news of the outside world was carried 
on foot and on horseback, mule-back and ox- 
back, between Wheeling and Maysville and on 
to Lexington. Then followed the days of the 
rumbling stage with its four fleet horses, mail- 
pouches, and tired passengers. In the same 
age came the "Conestoga Freighter," with its 
six stout horses and tremendous load, carrying 
the product of the soil and the fruit of the 
vine to market, returning with the much needed 
articles from the centers of civilization. Thus 
it is seen that the old Zane's Trace, carrying 
the blessings of art, religion, industry and life, 
through the ten counties of Belmont, Guern- 
sey, Muskingum, Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, 
Ross, Pike, Adams and Brown and adjacent 
territory, formed one of America's greatest 
roadways, deserving to be classed with the 
great National Road from Cumberland to 
Wheeling, or the Appian Way. But the 
"Trace" became even a greater road than the 
Appian Way, for the latter was built largely 
to gratify the vanity of Roman emperors and 

did not, like the former, meet the wants of a 

great, free, and progressive Republic. This *References— The editor desires to acknowledge his 

old path truthfully illustrates Emerson's noted '{^S!^^^S:t:.:^'^. KkTnT'stud°es 

observation: "When the Indian trail gets in Historical and Political Science;" various county 
. . , , , , , ■ , , r J histories cited in the text, and General Morris Schaff's 

Widened, graded and bridged to a good road, "Etna and Kirkersville." 



STAGE COACH DAYS 

William Neil of Columbus was a partner in 
the firm of Neil, Moore & Co., with principal 
offices in Columbus. This company carried the 
United States mail throughout Ohio, gener- 
ally in four-horse stage coaches, that were 
built to carry from nine to twelve passengers. 
Their longest route was from Buffalo, New 
York, to Detroit, Michigan, it being about the 
same as that of the Lake Shore Railroad. 
Next the line between Wheeling, West Vir- 
ginia, and Cincinnati, Ohio, diverging at Xenia 
through Dayton to Indianapolis, Indiana. 
Also from Columbus to Sandusky, Cleveland 
and other points. Many cross lines north and 
south were in the same manner occupied and 
operated by them. 

Mr. Neil himself concluded to take the stage 
lines south of the National Turnpike, travers- 
ing the center of Ohio east and west. Mr. 
Darius Tallmadge was employed at a salary 
of $400 per year, with all expenses paid while 
he was on duty, and was placed in charge of 
southern routes throughout the state, the prin- 
cipal one being from Maysville, Kentucky, via 
Chillicothe and Lancaster to Zanesville. This 
route was the one necessary for travelers to 
take from Kentucky east. Henry Clay always 
passed this way from his home in Lexington 
to Washington. One of the eating-points was 
Tarlton, Ohio, where Mother Nye and her 
husband kept the hotel. Their chicken and 
waffles were famous. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



255 



Mr. Tallmadge had proved himself such a 
capable man that his salary at the end of the 
year was increased to $1,200. Mr. Neil pro- 
posed a partnership early in this agency and 
gave Mr. Tallmadge exclusive possession of 
his individual lines. They were operated in 
the name of D. Tallmadge, which name was 
inscribed in gilt letters on the door panel of 
every coach. Drivers always sounded a long 
mellow-toned horn when they approached a 
postoffice. In those days these stages were re- 
garded as a most important feature of the 
age and owners were conspicuous, as now the 
railroad magnates are. The drivers were con- 
sidered as almost the biggest men in the coun- 
try and were always given the best to eat and 
drink. It was unknown to local people that 
Mr. Neil was equal partner in the stage line. 

In 1847 this partnership was closed — the 
lines being Zanesville to Maysville, Zanesville 
to Marietta, Hillsboro to Cincinnati, Columbus 
to Athens, Columbus to Portsmouth, Lan- 
caster, via Wilmington to Cincinnati, Lan- 
caster to Newark. For settlement Mr. Tall- 
madge proposed to give or take $25,000, the 
one paying the money to be sole owner of all 
the property, real or personal. Mr. Neil chose 
to accept the money for his share and Mr. Tall- 
madge became the sole owner. Not more than 
five persons knew of the partnership, although 
it had existed for twelve years. 

While Mr. Tallmadge was managing his 
own stage lines he was relied upon as the su- 
perintendent for the great "Ohio Stage Com- 
pany," in which the lines of Neil-Moore & 
Company had been merged. Mr. Neil was 
president, succeeded by William Sullivant, and 
at last D. Tallmadge purchased the entire stock 
of the Ohio Stage Company, which he owned 
when it went out of existence, being driven to 
the wall by the encroachments of the railroads. 
Mr. Tallmadge was one of the "\\'estern Stage 



Company" which extended its operation 
throughout Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. 

Mr. Tallmadge in 1854 sent to San Fran- 
cisco by ocean around Cape Horn a large num- 
ber of coaches to be sold. 

It was customary for mail contractors to 
bid on routes for carrying United States mail 
in any part of the country, expecting to sell 
out at a profit to the company that had the line 
already stocked. In this manner D. Tallmadge 
was the successful bidder for a route of about 
eighty miles from Elmira to Ithaca, New 
York. The old contractor refused to buy the 
mail contract, compelling Mr. Tallmadge to 
stock the line and carry out his own contract 
with the government. Hence it was necessary 
to send his stage and horses for that purpose. 
The result was that when the old contractor 
saw the line stocked he purchased the equip- 
ment and carried out the contract as awarded 
to Mr. Tallmadge. 

Many are the interesting tales told of those 
who used to be passengers in the old coaches. 
One in particular, told of Tom Corwin, has 
been handed down and is always enjoyed. It 
was during the canvass of 1840, when Corwin 
was a passenger on a coach from Wheeling to 
Columbus, a stop was made at St. Clairsville, 
the home of Governor Shannon. A lady car- 
rying a small baby boarded the coach and 
someone whispered to Corwin, "That is Gov- 
ernor Shannon's wife." Corwin looked 
through his shaggy eyebrows, laid down his 
book, and with a sly twinkle in his eye, began 
to talk to the lady, she being ignorant as to 
who Corwin was. The political situation was 
freely discussed, Corwin entering into the con- 
versation with his usual zest. He turned to 
his fair companion and asked her what she 
thought of the gubernatorial race. She, of 
course, praised her husband's party and his 
chances of success. "I hear," said she, "that 



256 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Corwin is a very coarse man — nothing but a 
wagoner boy." The passengers were all con- 
vulsed, stuffing their handkerchiefs into their 
mouths to keep from laughing, but Corwin 
never winced, and to the amusement of all he 
joined in his own abuse, until he was painted 
the most despicable of men. When they 
reached the outskirts of a small town near 
Cambridge the stage stopped and Mrs. Shan- 
non prepared to get out. Mr. Corwin, with 
his usual gallantry, assisted her out and car- 
ried the baby into the house and put him down 
on the bed. Mrs. Shannon thanked him and 
asked, "to whom am I indebted for this cour- 
tesy and for the pleasure of this journey." 
Corwin, with a profound bow and roguish 
twinkle in his eye, said "To Tom Corwin, 
Madam," who has just laid your son upon his 
back, where he hopes to lay his father in the 
fall. Bowing himself out of the house, he 
joined his laughing companions in the coach. 
Mrs. Ellen Brasee Towt. 

K.MLKOAD.S 

Within the limits of Fairfield County there 
are three railroads and two electric roads. 

The Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville 
was the first railroad built in the county. It 
was chartered by the legislature, February 4, 
1 85 1. The western terminus of the road was 
a connection with the Little Miami Railroad 
at Morrowtown, Warren County, and the 
eastern terminus was Zanesville in Muskingum 
County. It was 28^ miles long. In 1856 the 
road was completed and regular trains were 
running between Morrowtown and Zanesville, 
thus opening communication between Cincin- 
nati and the eastern seaboards, by connecting 
at Zanesville with the original Central Ohio 
Railroad. This road changed hands and the 
name was changed to the Muskingum Valley 
Railroad. Afterwards it passed into the hands 



of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and 
is called the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley 
Railroad. The road passes through Clear 
Creek, Amanda, Hocking, Berne and Rush 
Creek townships, and has stations at Bremen, 
North Berne, Lancaster. Delmount. Amanda, 
Wyandotte and Stoutsville. 

The Hocking Valley Railroad has a mileage 
in Fairfield County of 23^ miles. The road 
was first chartered in 1864 under the title of 
Mineral Point Railroad Company, and was to 
extend from Columbus to Athens. In June, 
1867, the name of the road was changed by the 
court of Franklin County to that of the Colum- 
bus & Hocking Valley Railroad — its present 
name. The road has proved to be one of the 
wealthiest in the state, chiefly on account of the 
extensive transportation of coal out of the 
lower valley. The Hocking Valley passes 
through Violet, Bloom, Greenfield, Hocking 
and Berne townships, and has stations at Lock- 
ville, Carroll, Hookers, Lancaster and Sugar 
Grove. The Columbus and Southern extends 
from Wyandotte Junction in Clear Creek 
township to South Bloomville. 

The Central Ohio Railroad was originally 
projected from Toledo to Pomeroy, being de- 
signed as a mineral road to run into the coal 
fields of southeastern Ohio. It was first char- 
tered as the Atlantic & Lake Erie. During the 
early struggling days of this railroad, Gen. 
Thomas Ewing of Lancaster was president of 
the company. When the road was sold and it 
had passed into new hands its name was 
changed to the central Ohio, and it was com- 
pleted from Columbus to Corning, a distance 
of 65 miles. 

The road is now called the Toledo & Ohio 
Central and has several branches in Fairfield 
County. It passes through Violet, Liberty, 
Walnut, Pleasant and Richland townships, with 
stations at Pickerington, Basil. Baltimore, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



259 



Thurston, Pleasantville, Rushville and Bremen. 
The Toledo and Thurston branch runs from 
Thurston to Toledo and has two stations in 
Fairfield County, Millersport and Lakeside 
Park. 

The Zanesville & Western Railroad runs 
from Thurston to Zanesville, with stations at 
Thurston and New Salem Station. 

THE LANCASTER TRACTION & POWER 
COMPANY, LANCASTER, OHIO 

The Lancaster Traction & Power Company 
owns and operates five miles of street railroad 
in the city, giving perhaps the best service 
furnished to the citizens of any city the size 
of Lancaster, in the United States. They fur- 
nish seven and one-half minute service; keep 
their rolling stock and road bed in good repair, 
and sell 33 tickets for $1.00. They also own 
and operate a line from Lancaster to the Boys' 
Industrial School, six miles south of the city. 
The management of this property has always 
been in the interest of the city, all of the di- 
rectors being "progressives" in the best sense 
of the term. The company has no debt 
of any kind. The employees are the very best 
class of men, who are a great assistance in 
keeping the good will of the citizens. The 
service is appreciated by the people and the 
patronage is greater than almost any other 
place with the same number of residents. The 
board of directors is composed as follows : H. 
B. Peters, president and general manager; 
Edward Delancy, vice president; P. R. Peters, 
secretary and treasurer; J. R. Smith, superin- 
tendent; Julian Griggs, chief engineer. 

THE SCIOTO VALLEY TRACTION COMPANY 

The Scioto Valley Traction Company, 
whose general offices are located at Columbus, 
Ohio, was originally incorporated on the eighth 
day of September, 1899, for the purpose of 



constructing a line of electric railroad from 
the city of Columbus to the city of Chillicothe. 
The original authorized capital stock was 
$100,000. On the nineteenth day of Decem- 
ber, 1 9 10, the capital stock was increased to 
$1,000,000. On the seventh day of January, 
1901, the company amended its articles of in- 
corporation and in the amendment provided 
for the construction of a line of electric rail- 
road from the city of Lancaster to the city of 
Columbus. 

The Everett and Moore syndicate of Cleve- 
land were the original owners of the property 
and started its development. While in the 
control of the Everett and Moore syndicate, 
the right-of-way was acquired from Lancaster 
to Columbus and from Circleville to Colum- 
bus and contracts were let for the grading, 
bridges, and for the rails and ties. This syn- 
dicate actually invested something over $200,- 
000 in the development of the property when 
their affairs became involved and their assets 
were placed in the hands of a bankers' com- 
mittee. A new syndicate was then organized, 
composed in the main of Columbus and Cin- 
cinnati men, of which the former had about 
a two-thirds interest in the property. 

The new syndicate acquired the right-of-way 
from Circleville to Chillicothe and built the en- 
tire property. The entire power equipment of 
the property, both steam and electrical, to- 
gether with the power houses and sub-stations 
W'Cre designed by the last named syndicate. 

The road from Columbus to Lancaster was 
completed and placed in operation July 26. 
1904. The road to Circleville was completed 
and placed in operation August 6th of that 
year. The road from Circleville to Chillicothe 
was completed and placed in operation August 
26, 1905. The property has remained under 
the same management and substantially in the 
same control during all of the time that it has 



260 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



been in operation, although at the present 
time there is a considerable number of stock- 
holders in the property in Lancaster and Fair- 
field County. Mr. Peters, a banker and resi- 
dent of Lancaster has been a director of the 
company during the entire period of its his- 
tory and for several years last passed, has been 
a member of the executive committee of the 
company. The road was well built, in many 
respects materially in advance of any other 
electric railroad in the state, and throughout 
its history has been generally well maintained 
and operated. 

The total gross revenue for the last fiscal 
year of the company was $438,109.45, of 
which $361,932.52 was passenger revenue and 
$55,418,16 was revenue derived from freight. 
The balance is made up of about $20,000 mis- 
cellaneous items. 

During the year the passenger car mileage of 
the company was 1,025,854; the passengers 
carried 1,352,691. Freight car mileage was 
155,625 and the pounds of freight carried were 
63,859,213. The surplus earnings for the last 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, were $15- 
253.16, a decrease over the preceding of 
$5-518.33. 

During the current year, on account of in- 
creased automobile travel and the unsatisfac- 
tory conditions prevailing as to the employ- 
ment of labor, the gross earnings of the com- 
pany have decreased somewhat over the same 
period of the preceding year. 

It is a rather remarkable fact that the vari- 



ous modes of travel between Lancaster and 
Columbus have followed substantially the same 
line. First, the Indian trail, leading from the 
conjunction of the Scioto and Whetstone 
rivers through Lancaster and Zanesville to 
Wheeling; second, a wagon road substantially 
on the same line; third, a canal substantially 
paralleling the line of The Scioto Valley Trac- 
tion Company from Groveport to Columbus; 
fourth, the Hocking Valley Steam Railroad, 
and fifth, the electric railroad. The Indian 
trail has been obliterated but at the present 
time the other four modes or highways of 
travel, in a considerable number of places lie 
parallel and adjacent to each other so that they 
are embraced at points within a distance of 
200 feet. [See Zane's Trace. — Editor.] 

The directors of the company at the present 
time are as follows : Mr. A. B. Voorheis and 
Mr. George Eustis of Cincinnati, and Messrs. 
Frank A. Davis, Edwin R. Sharp, J. D. Ellison, 
Theodore Rhoads, I. B. Cameron, Wm. N. 
King, of Columbus, and Mr. H. B. Peters, of 
Lancaster. 

The officers of the company are : Frank A. 
Davis, president and general manager; Edwin 
R. Sharp, vice president and treasurer; E. R. 
Sharp, Jr., secretary; F. K. Young, auditor; 
Calvin Skinner, superintendent; A. J. W^olfe, 
engineer; N. E. Rees, passenger agent; J. O. 
Bradfield, general freight agent. Each of the 
officers, without exception, have been identi- 
fied with the road in some capacity since it 
commenced its operation. 



I 



CHAPTER IX 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

Busy Workshops— The Hocking Glass Co. — The Cole Glass Co.— The Lancaster Glass Co.— 
The Lancaster Window Glass Co. — The Columbus Plate and Window Glass Co. The Co- 
lumbus Window Glass Co. — The Motherwell Iron Works — Lancaster Shoe Factories 

Total Daily Output 10,000 Pairs of Shoes—The A. Get:: Shoe Co.— The Lancaster Shoe 
Co.— The Fairfield Shoe Co. — The Ohio Shoe Co.— Hotels— A Classified List of Lancas- 
ter's Business Enterprises Including the Professions. 



BUSY WORKSHOPS. 

Fairfield County has not only a rich soil, but 
a very rich and diversified field of manufac- 
tures. In every village and town there are 
valuable plants that bring wealth to the com- 
munity, and give employment to many hun- 
dreds of worthy people. These industries are 
described in Chapter VI under that township's 
history, of which they are a part. Baltimore, 
Basil, Pleasantville, Bremen and many other 
good towns have a place in this account of the 
work of men's hands. 

The county seat, Lancaster, naturally leads 
in this field of work, and her list is a long one. 
There are over 115 dififerent kinds of business, 
and over 600 different firms at the present 
time ( 1912) doing business in Lancaster. This 
long list of industries, with the army of sturdy 
toilers constitutes the wealth and power of the 
community, still illustrating the truth of Lord 
Bacon's dictum, "There be three things that 
make a Nation great and prosperous — a fertile 
soil, busy workshops, and easy communication 



from place to place." This county is blessed 
with all three of these forces, and the power of 
the factory was never greater than in this in- 
dustrial age. Men are doing wonderful things 
with their hands — and they are demanding that 
their children be taught in the public schools 
to use their hands. 

There is a great awakening in the educational 
world on the subject of vocational training. 
Schools are planning for the future of the boys 
and girls who are to use their hands as well 
as their brains, and Ohio is in the very front 
of this race for added power for the youth 
of the land. There is no good reason why 
the schools should not equip every boy and girl 
with the elements of some useful trade or pro- 
fession. This is the greatest industrial age the 
world has seen — rivers are bridged and tun- 
neled; mountains washed and hewn away; 
stone, iron, steel, brick and cement piled high 
in the office buildings; acres covered with busy 
shops in which millions of spindles do the 
bidding of trained hands. Lancaster has ever 



261 



262 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



had her share of these trained hands, and she 
has them today. 

THE HOCKING GLASS COMPANY 

The Hocking Glass Company plant, located 
in West Lancaster, employs more people than 
any other glass company in the city and its 
capacity is about fifteen carloads of manu- 
factured product per week. Four hundred 
persons find employment here and many of 
them are artists of rare skill and its beautifully 
decorated opal ware, lamps, and splendid vases 
have attracted attention world-wide in its ex- 
tent, and its famous product finds ready sale 
everywhere. They manufacture plain crystal 
glass ware, also, and do much in a variety of 
novelties. The company was incorporated and 
established in 1905. The officers were: T. J. 
Collins, president ; C. F. Von Stein, vice presi- 
dent; L. P. Martin, secretary and treasurer. 
In 1908 the company was reorganized by elect- 
ing T. J. Collins, president; E. B. Good, vice 
president; T. C. Fulton, secretary and treas- 
urer. The plant in its enlarged equipment oc- 
cupies some four or five acres. 

THE COLE GLASS COMPANY 

The Cole Glass Company is one of the many 
enterprising business concerns of which the 
thriving city of Lancaster is proud. It is 
located in West Lancaster, on the Hocking 
Valley Railroad, and has one of the largest 
plants of its kind in Ohio. The company is 
engaged in the manufacture and jobbing of 
window glass and located in 1898, coming here 
from Muncie, Indiana, where Mr. C. P. Cole, 
president of the company, enjoyed the distinc- 
tion of organizing the first window glass com- 
pany and erected a plant twenty-five years ago. 
This large factory has a forty-five blower tank 
capacity and employs 225 men. It produces 
a carload of excellent glass per day. 



Heretofore only men blowers have been em- 
ployed but the wonderful glass-blowing ma- 
chine has made such advancement in the field 
of competition that the company has decided 
to install sixty of the latest improved blowing 
machines the coming summer and in a very few 
years a man window glass blower in Lan- 
caster will only be spoken of as a thing of 
the past. The officers of this splendid busi- 
ness enterprise are : C. P. Cole, president, gen- 
eral manager and treasurer; R. F. Cole, vice 
president; H. M. Sutton, secretary. 

THE LANCASTER GLASS COMPANY 

The Lancaster Glass Company was organ- 
ized by Lancaster business men in November, 
1908 and a site of about five acres was secured 
just east of the old mill road in East Lan- 
caster, where the plant was located for the 
manufacture of flint glass, decorated table 
ware, lamps and many unique patterns of flint 
ware. The business was a pronounced success 
from the start because it was in the hands of 
experienced glass men and experts in all de- 
partments. The concern employs about 225 
people the year around and is one of the pop- 
ular enterprises of the city. The capacity of 
the plant is from six to nine carloads of ware 
a week, which is shipped to all parts of the 
country and has the reputation of being the 
finest flint glass and decorated ware in the 
country. The officers of the company are : 
Dr. J. J. Silbaugh, president; J. E. Hill, vice 
president; L. P. Martin, secretary; I. H. 
Strickler, treasurer; and L. B. Martin, 
manager. 

THE LANCASTER WINDOW GLASS COMPANY 

The first window glass company to locate 
in the City of Lancaster was the Lancaster 
Window Glass Company, which erected an ex- 
tensive plant in East Lancaster in 1887 and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



263 



operated what was known as pot factory. This 
pot factory was only in operation for a short 
time. In 1890 the plant was sold to Abel 
Smith & Co., of Pittsburg, Pa., who, after 
making a number of improvements, operated 
it in connection with their two plants at Pitts- 
burg until the year 1897, when the plant was 
sold to 

THE COLUMBUS PLATE & WINDOW GLASS 
COMPANY 

This company continued to operate the con- 
cern as a pot factory up until the year 1900. 
About this period there were new developments 
being made in the manufacture of window 
glass, in the way of furnace construction and 
the melting of glass. Instead of using pots, 
which had been the general custom all over 
the country, they dismantled the pot furnaces 
and installed the tank furnaces, increasing the 
output of the plant two hundred and sixty per 
cent. Instead of only making six blowings per 
week, which was necessary in the operation of 
pot furnaces to allow time to fill the pots again, 
and make each melt, they now melt and blow 
continuously, night and day. In the year 1909 
the word "Plate" was dropped from the name 
of the company and it is now called 

THE COLUMBUS WINDOW GLASS COMPANY 

In 1909 in order to get the manufacture of 
window glass on a more scientific basis, the 
company built a machine which would blow 
window glass and do away with a large per- 
centage of labor, thus reducing the cost. 
The year 1912 finds these machines being 
operated successfully, and the capacity of the 
plant is increased twenty-five per-cent and 
the plant is said to be one of the most 
complete factories in the country today for the 
making of window glass. They have their own 
electric light and power plant, gas wells. 



laboratory, etc. The officers are: Charles 
Wandless, president and treasurer; 'F. M. 
Southwood, secretary; W. R. Campbell, vice 
president and general manager. The company 
employs several hundred men and has a 
capacity of eight to ten carloads of glass per 
week. 

THE MOTHERWELL IRON WORKS 

One of the business enterprises of Lancaster 
which is now a part of her past history and 
which the older inhabitants recall with pleasure 
and pride, was the old Motherwell Iron Works, 
which was located on the old canal bank and 
Zane Alley, where it manufactured shovels, 
farm implements and all kinds of mining tools 
for a period of fifteen years with rare success. 
It was a manufacturing plant of which not 
only the city was proud but the entire county 
felt a just pride in the successful concern and 
it was with no little regret when on August 
10, 1882, the people saw the plant removed to 
Logan, Hocking County. Mr. Culver, an en- 
terprising citizen of the valley town, with others 
of his fellow citizens, having bought out the 
Motherwells. 

The official force of this historic concern 
was as follows: James Motherwell, president; 
Robert Dressbach, vice president and secretary ; 
and William Motherwell, treasurer. Of the 
above named, only Robert Dressbach is still 
living, he being now located in Florida. Mrs. 
Dressbach. however, spends most of her time 
in Lancaster at the Dressbach home on East 
Mulberry street. Robert Motherwell, a 
brother, also conected with the iron works, 
moved to Findlay and went into the bottling 
business and died there some years ago. Will- 
iam Motherwell located in Chicago and John 
Motherwell drifted to Kansas soon after 
the sale of the iron works, and both have been 
dead for a number of years. The Kelley mill 



264 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



was erected on the site of the old Motherwell 
Iron Works, and the bed of the old canal, 
which was abandoned some years ago, is now 
called Front Street. 

LANCASTER SHOE FACTORIES 

If there is one class of industry more than 
another to which Lancasterians point with 
pride it is that of making shoes and for a num- 
ber of years Lancaster has been famous for 
her shoe manufactures. There are four large 
and well equipped shoe factories in the city 
that mean more to the city of Lancaster, per- 
haps than all of her other factories combined. 
They give employment to 1,200 people approx- 
imately and the combined output of the fac- 
tories is in the neighborhood of 10,000 pairs 
of shoes per day. Originally the factories were 
known as the H. C. Godman shoe factories, but 
the four plants are now operated by four sep- 
arate companies, yet practically all under the 
same management. 

THE A. GETZ SHOE COMPANY 

The A. Getz Shoe Company was the pioneer 
shoe concern in the city and was organized in 
1889 locating a small factory on Forest Rose 
Avenue, which afterward grew and prospered 
and today employs 175 people and turns out 
1,750 pairs of shoes daily. The officers are 
F. A. Miller, president; E. S. Petigrew, vice 
president; E. E. Lerch, secretary; and H. J. 
Kaufman, treasurer. 

THE LANCASTER SHOE COMPANY 

The Lancaster Shoe Company was organized 
in 1894 and erected a large two-story brick 
plant on North Columbus street on the site of 
the Judge Brasee residence which was de- 
stroyed by a natural gas explosion in 1893. 
The plant employs 275 people and has a capa- 
city of 2,400 pairs of shoes per day. The offi- 



cial force is F. A. Miller, president; E. S. 
Petigrew, vice president; E. E. Lerch, secre- 
tary; and H. J. Kaufman, treasurer. 

THE FAIRFIELD SHOE CO. 

The largest of the several shoe factories is 
the Fairfield Shoe Company, which was organ- 
ized in 1897 and located first on West Main 
street where it operated till 1901, when it 
moved into its splendid large, three-story 
brick plant on North Columbus street, opposite 
the Lancaster Company's plant. It employs 
500 people and has a capacity of 4,500 pairs 
of finely finished shoes per day. In this plant 
is located and equipped one of the finest and 
most complete private electric-power plants in 
the country and from it is supplied all of the 
electrical power and light for all of the shoe 
factories. Its massive engines and machinery 
equipment are wonderful models of power and 
mechanical ingenuity. F. A. Miller is presi- 
dent of this concern : E. S. Petigrew, vice presi- 
dent; and C. S. Hutchinson, secretary and 
treasurer. 

THE OHIO SHOE CO. 

The last shoe company to organize was the 
Ohio Shoe Company, which located on West 
Main street in 1900 but moved in 1910 to its 
more commodious three-story pressed brick 
quarters on West Mulberry street, adjoining 
the Fairfield Shoe Company's plant. It em- 
ploys 150 people and manufactures over 1,200 
pairs of shoes every day. The officers of this 
company are the same as those of the Lan- 
caster and the A. Getz companies. 

George F. Lerch was for a number of years 
a prime factor in the Lancaster shoe manu- 
facture and was manager of the Lancaster 
plant for several years before he died in March, 
1908. After his death Mr. John Schmidt, who 
has been identified with the business from the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



265 



first and is considered one of the best shoe men 
in the country, was promoted to general man- 
ager of the entire system of shoe factories and 
well he has succeeded in his responsible posi- 
tion with the intelligent and never tiring aid 
of Secretary Hutchinson, and on the shoulders 
of the two men rests largely the weight of re- 
sponsibility in conducting these splendid Lan- 
caster enterprises. 

HOTELS 

Lancaster's hotel accommodations keep pace 
with the demands of the growing city. It has 
two leading hostelries — first class and popular 
with the public. These houses are well kept 
and well managed. 

Hotel Martens has long been a popular and 
successful hotel. It has been under the care- 
ful management of Mr. T. E. Kraemer for the 
past two years and enjoys a fine trade. 

Hotel Mithoff is also a first class, up-to-date 
and successful hotel. It has 75 rooms. It has 
a good location in the heart of the business part 
of the city, and near the inter-urban station. 
Messrs. Elmer Rubke and Clem Yonk have 
been efficient managers for the past five years. 
The chief clerk is Mr. Ralph Bitler. 

Another excellent house is : The Ohio Hotel, 
Mr. N. W. Tipple, proprietor. This is one of 
the popular houses of the city. The Hillside 
Hotel, of which Mr. William Goetz is the care- 
ful and shrewd manager, enjoys a large and 
lucrative patronage. 

The Kirn Hotel is managed by Simon Lape. 
This is a very widely known hotel, for it oc- 
cupies the same place where the old Tallmadge 
House stood. It has a good share of the public 
patronage. 

The Fairfield Hotel is under the control of 
Philip Chapman. This hostelry enjoys a good 
trade. 

In addition to this list there are a goodly 



number of boarding houses and excellent res- 
taurants. 

Lancaster's first hotel 

General George Sanderson tells us in his 
"Recollections" that Rudolph Pitcher, in 1800, 
erected a log cabin on the northwest corner of 
the Public Square and^road street, and that 
he kept tavern there for two years. In 1802 
he sold out to Peter Reber. He then erected 
a more commodious building on the southwest 
corner of the Public Square. This building 
was square, and had a shingle roof — a rare 
thing at that time. Here at "Pitcher's,' the 
public was "dined and wined," for the big sign 
over the entrance announced "Entertainment 
for Horse and Man." Everybody was made 
to feel a royal welcome in that "Waldorf-As- 
toria" of the early days of Lancaster. 

Lancaster's classified business 
enterprises 

Agricultural Implements 
Eagle Machine Co. 
Goldcamp, Jos. H. & Co. 
Hocking Valley Mfg. Co. 
Martens Hardware Co. 
Winter Hardware Co., The Frank. 

Amusement Places. 
Chestnut Street Theater. 
Edisonia, The. 
Exhibit Theater. 
Gem Theater. 

Architects. 
Stewart, C. K. 
Vorys, I. 

Artists. 
McCandlish, W. B. 

Attorneys. 
Acton, F. M. 
Belt, H. C. 



266 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Brasee, C. D. 

Courtright, C. W. 

Courtright, T. T. 

Cunningham, Geo. S. 

Daugherty, M. A. 

Davidson, W. 

Deffenbaugh, J. W. 

Dolson & Dolson. 

Drinkle, H. C. (Deceased Apr. 4, 1912) 

Ewing, Geo. W. 

Henry, J. K. 

Kiefaber, A. B. 

Kirn, Edw. G. 

Littrell, J. H. 

McCleery, C. W. 

McCleery, Jas. W. 

McClenaghan, W. T. 

Martin, W. K. 

Miller, Geo. C. 

Mithoff, A. W. 

Moss, G. W. 

Myers, Olof E. 

Pickering & Pickering. 

Radcliff, C. A. 

Reeves, J. G. 

Rutter, E. C. 

Shell, Brooks E. 

Silbaugh, L. G. 

Sites, J. S. 

Snider, Van A. 

Strickler, Chas. M. 

Tobin, J. A. 

Automobiles. 

Anderson, H. M. 

Automobile Garages. 

Anderson, H. M. 
Hensel, Wm. 

Automobile and Bicycle Supplies. 
Lancaster Auto & Cycle Supply Co. 



Bakeries. 
Bauman Co., The A. 
Eberlein, C. T. 
Lee, Mrs. C. E. 
Model Bakery. 
Weis, P. 

Banks. 
Fairfield National Bank. 
Farmers & Citizens Bank. 
Hocking Valley National Bank. 
Lancaster National Bank. 

Barbers. 
Broadway Tonsorial Parlor. 
Bumbaugh, W. C. 
Byrd, J. M. 
Campfield, Lewis. 
Carlowe & Nixon. 
Cleveland, Ed. 
Day, H. R. 
Franklin, R. 
Gardner, J. H. 
Gobel, J. H. 
Harris, S. H. 
Hollenbaugh, Wm. 
Hoyman, O. 
Kern, H. T. 
Lloyd, R. A. 
Mithoff Barber Shop. 
Palace Barber Shop. 
Randall, R. 
Sapp, J. 
Tibbs, Fred. 

Bicycle Repairers. 
Epley, J. W. 
Lutz, G. 

Bill Posters and Distributors. 
Columbus Bill Posting Co., Columbus, O. 

Billiards and Pool. 
Carlowe & Nixon. 
Snoke, Oliver. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



269 



Blacksmiths. 
Baunigardner, J. M. 
Deeds, F. E. 
Netushill, A. 
Fricker, J. H. 
Glaser, John J. 
Lacey, J. M. 
Nisley, S. 
Prather, W. 
Reynolds, T. 
Sims, H. F. 
Souslin & Savage. 
Svvitzer, J. W. 
Thomas, A. C. 
Vanhorn & Weidner. 
Weiss, F. X. 

Boarding Houses. 

Hall, Mrs. T. H. 
Hoffman, Mrs. V. 
Weber, M. F. 

Books and Stationery. 
Outcalt & Co. 

Box Manufacturers. 
Lancaster Paper Box Co. 

Brewers. 
Becker Brewing Co., The. 

Brick Manufacturers. 

Cowden, G. E. Main. 
Lancaster Brick & Tile Co. 

Brokers. 

Re.x Commission Co. 
Ruff, L. E. 

Builders' Supplies. 
Carter, H. 

Goldcamp, Jos. H. & Co. 
Martens Hardware Co. 
A\^inter Hardware Co. 



Building and Loan Associations. 
Equitable Savings L. & B. Co. 
Eureka Savings Loan & Bldg. Co. 
Fairfield Savings & Loan Co. 
New Plan Savings & Loan Co. 
People's Savings, B. & L. Co. 
Perpetual Savings & Loan Co. 
Square Deal B. & L. Co. 

Building and Paving Block Manufacturers. 
Crook, J. C. 

Business Colleges. 
Columbia Commercial University. 

Carbon Manufacturers. 
National Carbon Co. 

Carpets, Rugs, Etc. 
Bletzacker Furniture Co. 
Woodin, C. W. & Co. 

Carpet Weavers and Cleaners. 
Brenner Bros. 

Carriage Manufacturers and Repairers. 
Dietz Bros. 
Geiser, J. E. 
Lancaster Carriage Co. 
Sears, J. H. 

China, Glass and Queens ware. 
Everett Bros. 
Gardner & Hughes. 
Stewart, J. W. 
Syndicate, The. 

Cigars and Tobaccos. 
Atkinson Cigar Co. 
Lancaster Cigar Store. 
Shallenberger, T. 
Stukey Cigar Co. (wholesale). 

Clothiers. 
Cannon-Kennedy Co. 
Famous, The. 
Mattox. J. 



270 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Miller, Gerhard & Co. 
Miller, J. H. 
Miller's Peter Sons. 
Rising, Rudolph. 
Vogue Hat Shop, The. 
Temple of Fashion. 
Top, The. 

Coal, Lime and Cement. 
Carter, H. 
Snyder, L. J. 

Confectioners. 
Alps, The. 
Antill, B. F. 
Cochran, J. W. 
Hamilton, W. O. & Co. 
McNeill & Son. 
Marcuson, A. 
Pfadt, J. A. 
Peters, A. L. 
Rockey, C. I. 



Contractors. 



Berry, E. J. 
Blum, C. A. 
Brown, G. H. 
Childs, J. C. 
Clover, J. B. 
Crook, J. C. 
Derry, R. H. 
Duncan, R. 
Graham, E. C. 
Henry, R. F. 
Karns, J. W. 
Kneller, H. E. 
Kober, W. H. 
Littrell. E. D. 
Littrell, J. W. 
Littrell, S. 
Mauger, M. 
Moore, F. W. 
Mowery, A. F. 
Rising, K. H. 



Ritchey, F. 
Robinson, W. J. 
Sharp, J. H. 
Stahl, W. L. 
Strachan, Wm. 
Van Gundy, J. D. 
Ward, John. 
Wlison, J. K. 
Wooster, W. 

Dentists. 

Graham, W. C. 
Miller, D. H. 
O'Grady, L. H. 
Outcalt, C. W. 
Palmeter, M., Trout Bldg. 
Peters, R. Ray. 
Repass, E. C. 
Scott & Sons. 
Shadrack, W. E. 
Stover, J. C. 
Struckman, F. T. 
Stukey, J. H. 
Stukey, J. J. 

Dressmakers. 

Boler, Mrs. L. 
McFarland, Mrs. C. 
Macklin, Miss E. 
Osborn, Mrs. Mary E. 
Rippley, E. 
Thomas, Mrs. A. 
Tittler, Lina. 

Druggists. 
Brink, H. W. 
Davidson, J. A. 
Eyman, L. E. 
Hyde & Ward. - 
Reed & Walters. 
Sexauer Bros. 
Steinman, P. D. & Co. 
Toohey, F. M. & Co. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



271 



Van Allen, W. S. 
Wetzel, G. H. 

Dry Goods. 
Bininger, J. F. 
Hickle, Geo. M. 
Hughey & Co. 
Stevenson, R. E. 
Woodin, C. W. & Co. 

Electric Light Companies. 
Lancaster Electric Co. 

Express Companies. 
Adams Express Co. 
Southern Express Co. 

Five and Ten Cent Stores. 
Kirby, F. M. & Co. 

Florists. 
Gravett, W. E. 
Schneider, V. A. 

Flour Mills. 
Mokena Mills. 
West Side Hominy Co. 
Deeds, A. & Son. 

Fruits, Nuts, Etc. 
City Fruit Store. 
Antill, B. F. 
Marcuson, A. 
. Phadt, J. A. 

Funeral Directors. 
Bletzacker, Ed. R. 
Getz, Ferd W. 
Stropel & Sheridan. 

Furniture. 
Bletzacker Furniture Co. 
Stropel, E. C. 
Union Furniture Co. 

Gas Companies. 
Lancaster Gas Co., City Hall. 



Glass Manufacturers. 
Cole Glass Co. 

Columbus Plate & Window Glass Co. 
Hocking Glass Co. 
Ohio Flint Glass Co. 

Glove Manufacturers. 
Martin Mfg. Co. 

Grain and Feed. 
Allen, R. 
Mokena Mills. 
Ruble Feed & Grain Co. 
Short, J. N. 
Teel, C. A. & Co. 
West Side Hominy Co. 

Grocers. 
Acker. C. L. 
Altfater, David. 
Andrews, W. E. 
Await, S. 

Bauman, Co., The A. 
Bierly, G. W. 
Bininger, J. F. 
Bonner, W. H. 
Brown, G. F. 
Carter, J. 
Daugherty, J. E. 
Deeds, N. 
De Long. 
Denton & Sheets. 
Dille, S. 
Donley, G. W. 
Foreman, A. J. & Co. 
Garrison, W. 
Greer, V. A. 
Harrison, J. J. 
Hoffman, G. H. 
Keller, Christ. 
Kent, E. 
Knotts, H. 
Lawrence, G. W. 
Lehman, D. C. 
McCleery Bros. 



272 



■ HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Mast, Chas. E. 
Morrow, W. H. 
Moyer, C. 
Park Grocery. 
Pursell, L. H. 
Rickette, L. W. 
Rockey, H. T. & Son. 
Rutherford & Crawford. 
Schleicher, E. P. 
Schorr, J. & Son. 
Shonting, J. M. 
Short, W. J. 
Smith, C. L. 
Snider, J. D. 
Snyder, L. J. 
Southgate, W. T. 
Spires, C. W. 
Stoll, G. 
Tarpjey, F. A. 
Tooill, O. L. 
Wacker, W. F. 
Welsh, C. E. 
Whitely, J. C. 
Wooster, H. W. 
Zeigler, G. 
Zimmerman, H. 
Zink, J. H. 

Hardware. 
Goldcamp, Jos. H. & Co. 
Martens Hardware Co. 
Winter Hardware Co., The Frank. 

Harness. 
Henn, J. A. 
Mitchell, H. F. 
Rogers, J. T. 

Hospitals. 
Park St. Hospital. 

Hotels. 
Betz House. 
Commercial Hotel. 
Fairfield House. 



Hillside, The. 
Hotel Martens. 
Kirn Hotel. 
Mithoff Hotel. 
Ohio, The. 

Ice Manufacturers. 
Becker Brewing Co., The. 
Insurance. 
Barr, J. C. 
Clarke, Joshua. 
Crumley, C. M. 
Lafferty, A. C. 
Matt Bros. 
Matt, Geo. 

Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. 
Prudential Life Ins. Co. 
Smith, A. R. 
Towson, Chas. H. 
Uhl, J. L. 
Union Central Life Ins. Co. 

Jewelers. 
Bininger, J. D. 
Boving, H. R. 
Pearsall, Theodore. 
Riebe, C. C. 
Stein, T. M. & Son. 
Wendell, A. L. 

Ladies' Furnishings. 
De Lay, M. L. 
Denny Co., The. 

Laundries. 
Excelsior Laundry. 
Hiett, E. D. 
Hop Sing. 
White Star Laundry. 

Leather Board Manufacturers. 
Lancaster Leather Co. 

Livery, Feed and Sales Stables. 
Bush, T. M. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



273 



Grim Bros. 
Grimes Livery. 
Hone & Kull. 
Metier, E. E. 
Mithoff Livery Stables. 
Nixon, P. 
Straley, Jas. 
Thimmes, Henry. 

Loans. 

Capitol Loan Co. 

State Loan Co. (Columbus, O.). 

Lumber. 

Darfus, J. 
DeLancey, E. 
Giesy H. H. & Bro. 
Orman, J. B. & Bros. 
West Side Lbr. & Mfg. Co. 

Machine Shops. 

Altens Foundry & Machine Co. 
Kanode, J. J. 

Marble and Granite. 

Bloom, W. D. 

Danison Monumental Works. 

La Ross, J. D. 

Meat Markets. 
Bauman, C. 
Graf & Huston. 
Gronbach, C. 
Hoskins, H. P. 
Kauffman, G. W. 
Rugh, B. F. 
Schneider, C. F. 
Sherburn, C. H. 
Thimmes Bros. 
Weiland, N. H. 

Merchandise Brokers. 
City Sales Agency. 
Archer & Archer. 



Merchant Tailors. 
Cannon-Kennedy Co. 
Durain, L. 
Fagan, E. 

Miller, Gerhard & Co. 
Miller, J. J. 
Miller, F. J. 
Miller, J. H. 
Miller's, Peter, Sons. 
Radebaugh, W. H. & Son. 
Rising, R. 
Trout, H. G. 
Vorys, H. 

Milliners. 
Benadum, Mrs. M. E. 
Garside, S. W. 
Hickle, S. M. 
Hodgison Sisters. 
Horseman, Mrs. Clara. 
Hummel & Co. 
Hughey & Co. 
Norris, Lulu. 
Smith, Mrs. G. B. 
Woodin, C. W. & Co. 
Vogue Hat Shop, The. 

Music Teachers. 

Coen, Rilla. 

Deaver, A. V. 

Ginder, M. 

Henley, J. M. 

Jackson, Pearl. 

Miesse, Mrs. B. 

Miesse, Gabriel (composer). 

Martin, Jane. 

Miller, Evelyn. 

Nutter, Myrtle. 

Schneider, Ida H. 

Taylor, Mary G. 

Wolf. Mrs. F. . 

Wright, Mrs. A. O. 



274 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



News Depots. 
City News Agency. 

Newspapers. 
Fairfield County Democrat (weekly). 
Lancaster Daily Eagle. 
Lancaster Gazette (daily and weekly). 
Ohio Eagle (weekly). 

Notaries Public. 

(See also Attorneys.) 

Thomas, S. 
Towson, C. H. 

Nurses. 
Daisy, Mrs. 
Mayes, Mrs. Mollie. 
Johnston, Olive. 
Miller, E. 

Park Street Hospital. 
Taylor, Mrs. F. 
Wolfe, Mrs. E. 

Oil and Gas Operators and Producers. 
Central Contracts and Finance Co. 
Lupher Bros. 
Morrison, J. M. 
Shaw, P. K. & Co. 
Young, C. A. 

Oil and Grease Compounds. 
Fairfield Grease and Oil Co. 
Opera Houses. 
Chestnut Street Opera House. 

Opticians. 
(See also Jewelers.) 
Barr, F. R. 

Oculists and Aurists. 
Samson, Dr. W. S. 

Paints, Glass, Oils and Varnishes. 
Goldcamp, Jos. H. & Co. 
Feigley, Z. 



Martens Hardware Co. 
Scovell Decorating Co. 
Winter Hardware Co. 

Photographers. 

Minton, B. H. 
Moore's Art Gallery. 
Tobias' Studio. 
Thompson, W. J. 

Physicians and Surgeons. 
Alfred, C. N. 
Axline, C. G. 
Axline, J. H. 
Beery, G. O. 
Beery, G. W. 
Berry, Reuben F. 
Boerstler, G. W. 
Brinksman, G. F. 
Chapman, L. J. 
Farley, J. T. 
Goss, C. W. 
Guthrie, A. L. 
Harman, G. A. 
Hazleton, H. M. 
Hershberger, J. P. 
Lantz, J. M. 
Leiter, J. H., osteopath. 
Long, J. H., osteopath. 
McKenzie, C. D. 
Miesse, G. 
Miller, S. A. D. 
Mondhank, R. W. 
O'Grady, G. W. 
Plum. H. R. 
Ranch, E. P. 
Rhoads, J. 
Roller, G. W. 
Samson, H. M. 
Samson, W. S. 
Silbaugh, J. J. 
Smith, R. H. 
Stukey, F. P. 



I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



275 



Stukey, J. M. 
Trout, J. Frances. 

Pianos and Organs. 

Kane, W. M. 
Rockey, J. W. H. 
Sparks, A. M. 

Pictures and Picture Frames. 
Bletzacker Art Co. 
Scovell Decorating Co. 
Tobias Studio. 

Planing Mills. 
Darfus, J. 
DeLancy, J. 
Omian. J. B. & Bros. 
West Side Lumber & Mfg. Co. 

Plumbers, Steam and Gas Fitters. 
Ash, H. 

Gesling-Gordon Co. 
Lutz Bros. 
McManamy, J. 
Miller, G. W. 
Shaw & Hale. 

Printers, Book and Job. 
Democrat Printing Co. 
Dudley-Reynolds Co. 
Dunn Printing Co. 
Eagle, The Ohio. 
Gazette, The Lancaster. 
Standard Colortype Co. 
Wilkinson. G. W. 

Railroads. 

C. & M. V. Ry., Lawrence, bet. Broad and 
High. 

H. V. Ry., depot, Lawrence, bet. Broad and 
High. 

Railways, Electric. 
Lancaster Traction & Power Co. 
Scioto Valley Traction Co. 



Real Estate. 
Archer & Archer. 
Bailey, S. A. 
Barr, J. C. 
Basore, G. 
Bowers, F. E. 
Fulkerson, F. 
Getz, A. 
Kane, J. H. 
Smith, D. F. 
Strigle, B. F. 
Stukey, N. 
Thomas, S. & Co. 
Towson, Chas. H. 
Uhl, J. L. 

Restaurants. 
Abbey Cafe, The. 
Eagle Restaurant. 
Gordon, W. 
Hettinger, Ed. 
Model Restaurant. 
Shue, M. 
Wyman Restaurant. 

Roofing. 
Fox, C. S. 
Gardner & Hughes. 
Kerns, E. O. 
Martens Hardware Co. 
McManamys. 

Sewing Machines. 
Singer Sewing Mach. Co. 
White Sewing Mach. Co. 

Shoe Manufacturers. 
Fairfield Shoe Co. 
Getz Shoe Co. 
Lancaster Shoe Co. 
Ohio Shoe Co. 

Shoemakers and Repairers. 

Ely, S. A. 
Muckensturm & Son. 



276 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



New Method Shoe Repr. Co. 
PoHng, H. 

Shoes. 
Denny, J. L. & Co. 
Joos, W. E. & Co. 
Kesinger, A. J. 
McShane, John. 
Mayer Bros. 
Stevefison, R. E. 

Stock Foods. 
Rempe, T. J. 

Stoves and Tinware. 
Fox, C. S. 
Gardner & Hughes. 
Kern, E. O. 

Telegraph Companies. 
Western Union Telegraph Co. 

Telephone Companies. 
Central Union Telephone Co. 
Lancaster Telephone Co. 



Upholsterers. 

Clover, J. V. 
Shinn, A. B. 

Veterinary Surgeons. 

Edmund, F. L. 
Thomas, J. E. 
Wendelken, G. W. 

Wall Paper. 

Bininger, E. & Sons. 

Feigley, Z., wall paper, paints, etc. 

Outcalt & Co. 

Scovel Decorating Co. 

Wood Mantels. 
Bletzacker Furniture Co. 

Woolen Mills. 

Lancaster Woolen Mills. 
Maddock Textile Co. 



CHAPTER X 

BANKS AND BANKING. 

The Bank in History — The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster — The Lancaster National 
Bank — The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Lancaster — The Hocking Valley National 
Bank of Lancaster — The Far>ncrs and Merchants Bank Co. of Amanda — The First 
National Bank of Baltimore — The Bank of Basil — The Millersport Bank Co. — The First 
National Bank of Bremen — The Bremen Bank Co. — The Farmers and Merchants Bank 
of Carroll — The Pickerington Bank — The Pleasantville Bank — The Riishville Banking 
Co. — The Bank of Sugar Grove — Bank Notes. 



THE BANK IN HISTORY 

The word "bank" is of Greek origin. In 
that language it means a bench or table for 
changing money. The word "bankrupt" is of 
Italian origin, as in Florence the term Banca 
Rotta meant "broken bench," hence a bankrupt 
had his bench broken. The first bankers sat 
behind a little bench on the open street with 
their money piled upon the bench in front of 
them. This was their "bank," and when their 
money was lost, then their bench was said to 
be broken from which conies our term "bank- 
rupt." 

There are tiiree great functions which the 
bank of today performs, viz., the receipt of 
deposits, the making of discounts, and the issue 
of notes. For the last named, a charter is gen- 
erally granted at the present time, though in 
earlier days, and especially in England, private 
banks and banking firms could issue notes. It 
is possible, however, to group all the duties 
of the bank under two heads — lenders and bor- 
rowers. Their loanable funds consist of their 



own capital, and that of their depositors. Their 
profits arise from the payment to them of in- 
terest on loans. The origin of banking goes 
back to antiquity. The modem banker is gen- 
erally a dealer in credit, while in ancient times 
he was a mere custodian of other people's 
money, and a buyer and dealer of foreign 
moneys. The first credit instrument handled 
by the early bankers appears to have been a 
bill of exchange. The historians find, by aid 
of the explorers, the bill of exchange in use in 
Assyria, thousands of years before the birth 
of Christ. The same was true in Athens and 
Rome, though not quite so early as in Assyria. 
The profits in those early days seem to have 
come almost entirely from commissions upon 
deposits. Livy fir.st mentions (B. C. 350) this 
system in banking and it is frequently referred 
to in Latin literature of a later time. The 
great insecurity of all kinds of property during 
the Middle Ages almost destro\'ed the system 
of banking. In fact it was reduced to that of 
mere money changing. 

The rise of modern banking, however, 



277 



278 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



dates from the establishment in Venice of the 
Banco di Rialto in 1587. In 1619 this great 
bank was absorbed by the Banco del Giro. So 
strong did this latter bank become that it was 
relied upon as the main support of the govern- 
ment, and we have a record that it loaned the 
government of Venice 500,000 ducats at one 
time. So well were its affairs managed that 
for 100 years or more this Bank of Venice, as 
it was called, was enabled to hold all its cred- 
its at a premium, until 1805, when its affairs 
were liquidated under a decree of Napoleon. 

In Amsterdam and Hamburg there were 
great banks established in the same century as 
the Banco del Giro in Venice and they were 
of great importance in the up-building of these 
great cities among the commercial affairs of 
the world. By excessive loans to the Dutch 
East India Company, the Bank of Amster- 
dam was obliged to close its doors in 1819 by 
a royal decree. 

In the 1 8th century, the two characteris- 
tics of modern banking — the issue of notes not 
covered by coin, and the granting of deposit 
accounts upon the mere credit of borrowers — 
were evolved, and this forms a part of the 
banking system of today. In China, bank 
notes, such as are known to the modern bank- 
ing system in America, were more or less fa- 
miliar for 12 centuries, but in Europe the use 
of bank notes dates only from 1661, when the 
Bank of Sweden issued notes to avoid the 
transfer of copper coin. The world is more 
or less familiar with the Bank of England, es- 
tablished at the close of the 17th century. This 
great banking institution, perhaps the greatest 
in the world, was established by a Scotchman, 
and more than once has it saved not only the 
credit, but the real life of England. It is famil- 
iarly known as "the old lady of Thread Needle 
Street.'' The Bank of Scotland was not es- 
tablished until shortly after the Bank of Eng- 



land, but it received privileges from the Eng- 
lish government, similar to those possessed by 
the Bank of England. 

In America, the words "Wall Street" carry 
with them a financial significance, recognized 
in every corner of the world. It was formerly 
said that "when the old lady of Thread Needle 
Street took snuff. Wall Street sneezed." This 
is not true at the present time. Wall Street 
stands alone, and the money interests of the 
United States are on a par with the greatest 
nations of the world. 

No civilized covmtry can make advance- 
ment without a bank. \\'hen conservatively 
managed, it is a blessing not only to its imme- 
diate community, but to the world at large, 
and in Fairfield County it may safely be said 
that tlie financial interests are well managed, 
and of liberal, patriotic usefulness, when 
needed for the advancement of the county. 
No disastrous failures have marked the 
progress of banking in Fairfield County. True, 
there have been ripples upon the surface, but 
the great tide of increasing wealth and the 
blessings of prosperity have in no way been 
checked or turned aside by bad financial man- 
agement. 

The following accounts of the banks of Lan- 
caster and of the building and loan associations 
will be of interest to every citizen of the 
county. 

BANKS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster. — 
The history of The Fairfield National Bank of 
Lancaster dates back to 1873. In this year a 
private bank was organized and operated as 
The Commercial Bank; this institution had its 
location on West Main Street in the property 
then owned by Rev. Williard. In the year 
1874 The Commercial Bank was sold to The 
Fairfield County Bank, and under this firm 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



279 



name a successful banking business was con- 
ducted for eighteen years in the Whiley Block, 
at 114 West Main Street. During this period 
the business of The Fairfield County Bank en- 
joyed a prosperous and natural growth, and it 
became evident that larger and more commod- 
ious quarters were necessary. In view of the 
urgent necessity of a home better suited to the 
increasing requirements of its business, The 
Fairfield County Bank purchased a lot directly 
across from its oFd quarters on Main Street 
and erected thereon a modern brick building 
which was fitted up for new quarters for the 
bank. 

In December of the year 1892 The Fairfield 
County Bank moved across the street to its 
new quarters and continued business as a 
private institution through 1904. On tlie first 
day of January. 1905, the private bank, which 
had been operated for the past thirty years 
under the name of The Fairfield County Bank, 
received a charter from the U. S. go\ernment 
to do business as a National Bank ; and on that 
day, January i, 1905, The Fairfield National 
Bank of Lancaster (No. 7,517) took over the 
business of The Fairfield County Bank. 

The Fairfield National Bank of Lancaster 
began business with a paid up capital of $100,- 
000.00. The officers of the institution were 
(in 1905) Philip Rising, president; H. B. 
Peters, ist vice president, Geo. W. Beck, 2nd 
vice president, and Geo. P. ■ Rising, cashier. 
By conservative and progressive business 
methods, the sphere of The Fairfield National 
Bank of Lancaster has broadened, until the de- 
posits have reached three quarters of a million 
dollars, and total assets almost one million 
dollars. The constantly increasing business 
of this institution has again brought the officers 
of the bank face to face with the necessity of 
seeking enlarged and more commodious quar- 
ters. It is the present expectation (1912) to 



erect a modern fire proof banking house on a 
location recently acquired in the center of Lan- 
caster's commercial district. The proposed 
building will be for the exclusive use of the 
bank, modern in every detail, and so arranged 
as to allow ample room for the increasing 
growth of the bank. 

The officers of The Fairfield National Bank 
of Lancaster are (in 1912) : H. B. Peters, 
president; Geo. P. Rising, vice president; P. 
R. Peters, cashier; H. K. Beck, assistant 
cashier. The board of directors consists of 
the above officers and Edward DeLancy and 
John Thimmes. 

The Lancaster National Bank operates under 
a Federal charter of date September 30, 19 10, 
has a paid up capital of $100,000 and a surplus 
earned of $12,000 and aggregate resources of 
over half million dollars all of which have been 
acquired in the short time of two years. The 
officers are ; Fred L. Mauger, president ; O. L. 
Ballinger, active vice president ; and J. L. Gra- 
ham, cashier. 

The directors are: Fred L. Mauger, G. M. 
Hickel, C. S. Hutchinson, G. A. Graham, L. G. 
Silbaugh, J. B. Matingly, Al Martens, and O. 
L. Ballinger. 

The shareholders are all Fairfield County 
citizens of the most substantial business men 
and farmers. The growth has been phenome- 
nal, the earnings sufficient to pay the share- 
holders a cash dividend at the end of second 
year. 

The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Lan- 
caster, is located at No. 114 W. Main street. 
E. C. Wiley is the cashier of this institution. 

The Hocking Valley National Bank, of Lan- 
caster, O.. whose place of business is located at 
No. 148 W. Main street, Lancaster, has a cap- 
ital of $60,000.00; surplus, $60,000.00. This 
bank was organized in 1847 as the Hocking 
Valley Bank. It was nationalized in 1865. 



280 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Ed. Mithoff is president, George Mithoff, cash- 
ier, and T. E. Mithoff, assistant cashier. The 
directors are: Ed. Mithoff, T. E. Mithoff, 
George Mithoff, W. K. Martin, C. W. Mc- 
Cleery, A. J. Kesinger and W. E. Thimmes. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank Company 
of Amanda was organized in 1904 with a cap- 
ital stock of $25,000.00. The promoters of 
this bank were J. J. Stevenson of the firm of 
Stevenson & Vercoe of Columbus, P. L. 
Schneider, cashier of the National Bank of 
Commerce, Columbus, Ohio, and S. H. Simon 
and others of Amanda, Ohio. The present 
officers and directors are as follows: T. H. 
Griffith, president; S. H. Simon, vice pres- 
ident; P. L. Schneider, treasurer; Clyde A. 
Barr, secretary and cashier ; Charles R. Lewis, 
assistant cashier; Isaac Riegle, Geo. W. Blue, 
C. W. Griffith, A. H. Shaeffer. Since the 
organization of this bank there has been a 
steady growth in deposits. At the present time 
they are $160,000.00. On January ist of this 
year the bank moved into new quarters, and it 
has a well-equipped, and modern banking 
room, second to none in the county. 

The First National Bank of Baltimore, 
Ohio. — A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. 
Carnes, vice president; C. M. Wagner, cash- 
ier; J. W. Fenstermaker, assistant cashier. 
This bank was organized under the National 
Banking laws in the year 1905 with paid up 
capital of $25,000. Its doors were open to the 
public for business April i, 1905, with the fol- 
lowing officers and directors: A. Hansbarger, 
president; L N. Carnes, vice president; C. M. 
Wagner, cashier; John Bright, T. D. Ketner. 
E. B. Wagner. Due to the growing business 
in the year 1908, the directorate was increased 
to seven in number, electing W. C. Hansbarger 
and J. R. Johnson, and employing J. W. Fen- 
stermaker, son of James Fenstermaker as as- 
sistant cashier. The bank is a strong financial 



factor in the community, the capital stock be- 
ing owned by some of the most influential peo- 
ple in the community. The following com- 
pose the present board of directors and offi- 
cers: A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. Carnes, 
vice president; E. B. Wagner, J. R. Johnson, 
T. D. Ketner, W. C. Hansbarger, John Bright, 
C. M. Wagner, cashier; J. W. Fenstermaker, 
assistant cashier. 

The Bank of Basil was established July 15, 
1895, as a partnership or private bank, by 
Samuel Rickly, Ralph R. Rickly, John E. 
Martin, George W. Bright and J. S. Morton, 
all of Columbus, O., with the following offi- 
cers : Ralph R. Rickly, president ; George W. 
Bright, vice president; and William H. Leit- 
naker of Basil, O., cashier. This enterprise 
was launched as an experiment and at that 
time was the only bank in Fairfield County 
outside of Lancaster. Notwithstanding the 
frequent comments and prophecies that no 
bank outside of the cities, could get enough 
business to remain open long. The Bank of 
Basil proved the fallacy of that argument by 
making a steady growth until when a few 
years later, the deposits of this bank reached 
more than one quarter of a million dollars. 

About this time the adjoining towns seeing 
the success of this venture, organized banks 
also, which absorbed some of the territory 
formerly enjoyed by The Bank of Basil. 
However this senior institution still holds a 
good share of the public confidence, as well as 
that of business transactions reaching well 
into the territory now claimed by adjoining 
banks, as is shown by their recent statement. 

Loans $1 20,000.00 

Cash and due from Banks 80,000.00 

Deposits 175,000.00 

Surplus 10,000.00 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



283 



The following are the present board of offi- 
cers: Ralph R. Rickly, president; George W. 
Bright, vice president; William H. Leitnaker, 
cashier; Clyde C. Leitnaker, assistant cashier. 

The Millersport Bank Co. — This enterprise 
was chartered as a state bank in 1907 and be- 
gan business November 27, 1907. The capi- 
tal stock subscribed was $25,000. The present 
officers are as follows: A. W. Peters, presi- 
dent; W. E. Zollinger, vice president; H. A. 
House, cashier. The directors are: A. W. 
Peters, W. E. Zollinger, J. A. Brison, H. C. 
Brison, Thomas Smith, Charles Decker and C. 
A. Bright. 

The First National Bank of Bremen, Ohio, 
was organized July 14, 1910, with a capital 
stock of $25,000.00; surplus, $7,000.00. There 
are 80 stockholders and the total resources are 
$185,000.00. The directors are H. E. Young, 
L. H. Kennedy, David Garrison, Lincoln 
Olive, Joseph E. Johnston, F. B. Stemen, E. B. 
McCullough. Officers : H. E. Young, presi- 
dent ; L. H. Kennedy, vice president ; A. D. 
Hufford, cashier; E. A. Hufford, assistant 
cashier. This bank, although the youngest in 
the county, is making a rapid and permanent 
growth. Its officers are competent and en- 
ergetic, and its patrons loyal. 

It has the distinction of having one of the 
best, if not the best banking room in the 
county. The things contributing to make it so 
are a large, beautiful lighted room, with en- 
trance from business streets at each end, bank 
fixtures all in cherry and mahogany, cozy wait- 
ing-rooms for both ladies and gentlemen, with 
toilet-rooms attached ; a closed cage for paying 
and receiving teller, and just such conveniences 
as one would find in a city bank. The vault is 
perfectly fire-proof and houses the customers' 
safety deposit boxes, and "the strongest safe in 
the world" — the famous Ely-Norris Manga- 
nese Steel Safe. 



The Bremen Bank Company was organized 
in 1897 was incorporated March i, 1906, with 
a capital stock of $25,000. The officers are 
Howard M. Shelhamer, president; James J. 
Welch, vice president; George E. Turner, 
cashier ; George J. Frash and George W. Bald- 
win, assistant cashiers. The directors are 
Jacob B. Turner, Isaac Klingler, John Schmelt- 
zer, William C. McCandlish, Howard M. Shel- 
hamer, J. Frank Thompson, x-Mbert F. Turner 
and D. F. Householder. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Car- 
roll, O., does a general banking business. The 
officers of this institution are L. T. Martin, 
president and C. E. Kistler, cashier. 

The Pickerington Bank was organized in 
1909 and commenced business January 3, 
1910, with a capital stock of $25,000.00. The 
officers are : A. M. Whims, president ; B. S. 
Hempy, vice president; H. S. Taylor, treas- 
urer; W. B. Taylor, secretary; James G. 
Kraner, cashier. The directors are A. M. 
Whims, B. S. Hempy, H. S. Taylor, W. B. 
Taylor, S. R. Milnor, John Huntwork, John 
Derr, Clark Ashton and James G. Kraner. 

The Pleasantville Bank, of Pleasantville, O., 
is capitalized at $25,000.00. It is a state bank, 
having the following officers : Arthur Kinsel, 
president; Dr. A. V. Lerch, vice president; E. 
C. Sawyer, cashier; Stanley M. Patterson, as- 
sistant cashier. 

The Rushville Banking Company, of Rush- 
ville, O., commenced business September 8, 
190S. It has a capital stock of $25,000.00. 
The officers are Silas B. Neeley, president ; 
John Jay Shaw, vice president ; J. W. Lewis, 
secretary; W. M. Phillips, treasurer; Fred B. 
Lewis, cashier. The directors are Silas B. 
Neeley, John Jay Shaw, J. W. Lewis, W. M. 
Phillips, Fred Rufif, L. C. Wagner and W. M. 
Kerr. 

The Farmers and Citizens Bank of Stouts- 



284 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ville enjoys the patronage and confidence of 
the people. Its president is E. V. Barr, and 
cashier, W. A. Myers. 

The Bank of Sugar Grove, a substantial in- 
stitution with a strong board of directors, is 
doing an excellent business. John R. Bowen 
is the efficient cashier. The bank has a capital 
of $10,000.00; deposits, $54,000.00; surplus, 
$800.00. The board of directors is as follows : 
H. M. Anderson, Lancaster, O., superintend- 
ent Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Company; 
James L. Martin, Logan, O., ex-auditor of 
Hocking County; H. Holland, of Sugar 
Grove, 0., superintendent Northwestern Ohio 
Natural Gas Company, vice president; James 
N. Grimm, Sugar Grove, O. ; R. O. Wagstaff, 
Sugar Grove, O. ; Dr. T. R. Mason, Columbus, 
O., physician; John R. Bowen, Columbus, O. 
cashier. 

"bank notes." 
John Creed was president of the Lancaster, 



O., Bank in 1817, and served during its exist- 
ence of twenty-five years. 

M. A. Daugherty was five years cashier of 
the Hocking Valley Bank. William Slade was 
cashier of the Hocking Valley Bank in 1848. 

The Banking firm of Martin & Ewing was 
established in 1854. 

The Exchange Bank did a profitable busi- 
ness until 1864, when it was merged into the 
First National Bank, with Mr. Martin, presi- 
dent. In 1886 Mr. Martin sold his interest to 
S. J. \\-right. 

In 1873 Spencer J. Wright became a part- 
ner in the Commercial Bank with J. H. Coch- 
rane, from Cambridge, Ohio. Mr. Cochrane 
previously conducted the bank on his own 
account. Cochrane returned to Cambridge and 
Wright continued until September, 1874, 
when the institution was merged into the Fair- 
field County Bank, with Wesley Peters, presi- 
dent, S. J. Wright, cashier. The latter sub- 
sequently resigned and organized the Lan- 
caster Bank and was president two years. 



CHAPTER XI 



BENCH AND BAR. 



The Majcst\ of the Laiv — Justice Gray — Wendell Phillips and Rufus Choate — Laivyers of "Ye 
Olden Times" — Their Fun and Their JVork — The Giants of the Lancaster Bar — None 
Greater — Sketches of Lawyers and Judges, a I^ong List of Highly Educated and Brilliant 
Men, Past and Present — Fairfield County Juvenile Court. 



THE MAJESTY OF THE LAW 

The law has long been regarded as one of 
the learned professions. To fully understand 
and follow its intricate channels, explain its 
obscure provisions, and maintain its majesty, 
all the learning and integrity of the best men 
of the ages are required. Only when the high- 
est scholarship is coupled with integrity and 
energy, do we see the ideal lawyer. 

Every principle of civilized life, and there- 
fore of progress, is based upon the maj- 
esty of the law. The majesty of the law 
can only be maintained by the integrity of 
judge and jury, and the faithfulness of the 
advocate. Honesty is no more a jewel in any 
profession than in tlie law. The widow's mite 
and the vast estate of the millionaire, the re- 
ward of \irtue and the punishment of vice, 
alike depend upon honesty in the execution of 
the law. Well has the blind goddess of justice 
been chosen as her symbol. 

The reply of Justice Gray, of the Supreme 
Court of Massachusetts, to the young lawyer 
is significant: The young attorney had won 
the case of his poor client in his home courts, 
and won it upon its merit. The case was ap- 



pealed to the Supreme Court of the State, and 
when the young lawyer arrived upon the scene 
he learned that the opposition, with wealth at 
their command, had employed no less distin- 
guished talent than Hon. Benjamin F. Butler. 
The young man asked a postponement until 
his client could get equally as strong counsel. 

Justice Gray replied : "Young man, go on 
with your case. If you have justice on your 
side, you and I can beat all the lawyers in 
Massachusetts." 

Human liberty depends upon the main- 
tenance of law, and he who seeks to degrade 
the law seeks to endanger life, liberty and hap- 
piness. 

Wendell Phillips, the world's most eloquent 
advocate of human rights, and defender of the 
majesty of law. thus blasts the reputation of 
Rufus Choate, in his great fraternity lecture 
on "Idols," delivered in Bo.ston, October 4, 
1859: 

"Suppose we stood in that lofty temple of 
jurisprudence, on either side of us the statutes 
of the great lawyers of every age and clime, 
and let us see what part New England — Puri- 
tan, educated, free New England — would bear 
in the pageant. Rome points to a colossal 



285 



286 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



figure and says, 'That is Papinian, who, when 
the Emperor Caracalla murdered his own 
brother, and ordered the lawyer to defend the 
deed, went cheerfully to death rather than 
sully his lips with the atrocious plea ; and that 
is Ulpian, who, aiding his prince to put the 
army below the law, was massacred at the foot 
of a weak, but virtuous throne.' 

"And France stretches forth her grateful 
hands crying, 'That is D'Aguesseau, worthy, 
when he went to face an enraged king, of the 
farewell his wife addressed him — "Go ! forget 
that you have a wife and children to ruin, and 
remember .only that you have France to save." ' 

"England says, 'That is Coke, who flung 
the laurels of eighty years in the face of the 
first Stuart, in defense of the people. This is 
Selden, on every book of whose library you 
saw written the motto of which he lived wor- 
thy, "Before everything, Liberty!" That is 
Mansfield, silver-tongued, who proclaimed, 

"Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their 

lungs 
Receive our air, that moment they are free." 

" 'This is Romilly. who spent his life trying 
to make law synonymous with justice, and suc- 
ceeded in making life and property safer in 
every city of the empire. And that is Erskine, 
whose eloquence, spite of Lord Eldon and 
George III., made it safe to speak and to print.' 

"Then New England shouts, 'This is 
Choate, who made it safe to murder; and of 
whose health thieves asked before they began 
to steal.' " 

In the early days of the administration of 
justice, there was not such a rush of business 
that pleasure was entirely crowded out. Most 
of the legal lights of those days had some ac- 
complishments, in addition to their silver- 
tongued eloquence at the bar, and the hours 



when out of court were whiled away with 
"quip and quirk and wanton wile." 

THE FAMOUS LANCASTER BAR 

It is not always found in the annals of a 
city, that its greatest prominence comes from 
the legal profession. This is pre-eminently the 
case, however, in regard to Lancaster. Her 
Bench and Bar attracted national comment, 
and her leaders were often called to practice in 
the courts of other states, particularly in New 
York. Hon. Henry Stanberl-y won a noted 
case in New York City, and then, because of 
the treatment he had received at the hands 
of his opponents, he brought suit for damages 
against them and won his case, single handed 
and alone. When a young lawyer he was ap- 
pointed to defend a man who was accused of 
stealing a horse. He wished to hold a con- 
versation with his client before the case began, 
and was given permission to take him to the 
rear of the building, there being no private 
room. He asked if he had stolen the horse, 
and the man replied that he expected they 
would prove it on him. Young Stanber>-y 
asked him how long it would take him to run 
to the woods, about 300 yards distant. The 
fellow thought he could do it in about one 
minute. "Try it" said Stanberry, and then re- 
turning to the court room alone was asked by 
the Court "\Miere's your client?" "I've cleared 
him," said Stanberry. 

As attorney-general for the United States 
he was strong and alert. His masterful logic, 
power and eloquence and intense earnestness 
made him a most successful officer. Perhaps 
his greatest efiforts and most marked success 
were seen in his remarkable defense of Presi- 
dent Johnson during his impeachment trial. 

The elder and younger Brasee, the elder and 
younger Ewing and Charles D. Martin were 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



287 



the peers of any lawyers in America, while 
Hocking H. Hunter, William Irwin, Sherman 
and Beecher held the standard high in those 
early days. 

The elder Ewing was a giant in physical as 
well as mental power. Many interesting in- 
cidents are related of his great strength, and 
good will in its use. While engaged in chop- 
ping wood, when a mere youth, an itinerant 
Methodist preacher came along. Recent rains 
had swollen the stream which must be crossed. 
The preacher was afraid to risk it. Mr. Ewing 
placed the man upon his shoulders, led the 
horse by the bridle and landed them safely on 
the other side of the stream. 

On another occasion after he had been ad- 
mitted to the bar, on passing the court house, 
he found a group of men testing their strength 
by trying to throw an ax over the building. 
They could not accomplish the feat. Mr. 
Ewing stopped long enough to take the ax 
handle in his hand and to send it far above the 
steeple — then he walked on to attend to his 
business. His distinguished son, Gen. Thomas 
Ewing, was for many years a leading lawyer 
in New York City, and was president of the 
noted "Ohio Society of New York" for three 
years — 1886 to 1889. He was one of the 
founders of that society. 

John S. Brasee and Charles D. Martin had 
a wide practice outside of Lancaster, and many 
appointive offices were open to them — most 
of which they declined. 

But as more extensive sketches of these and 
other great lives are given elsewhere in this 
volume, space forbids further reference here. 

The following classification as to time of 
prominence will aid the memory : 

First Generation. — Philomen Beecher. Will- 
iam Irwin and Charles R. Sherman. 

Second Generation. — Thomas Ewing, 



Henry Stanberry, Hocking H. Hunter and 
John T. Brasee. 

Third Generation. — John Scofield Brasee 
and Charles D. Martin. 

These great names ha\e made famous their 
day and generation. But they were not alone. 
There were a large number of brilliant younger 
men who were active in the practice at the 
same time and in the years that followed. The 
Lancaster Bar today is almost equally noted, 
and her Bench has an enviable reputation for 
justice and power. We have divided the list 
into two parts — those who have filled their 
mission and have been called to report to the 
Great Judge of aU, and the Bar of today. 

John M. Wright was the only son of Silas 
H. and Katherine M. Wright. He was born 
in Logan, Ohio, March 13, i860. W'hen he 
was fourteen years of age, Judge Wright's 
family moved to Lancaster. John, or "Jack" 
as he was called, attended our public schools, 
afterwards entering the Fairfield Academy at 
Pleasantville, Ohio, where in 1880, he gradu- 
ated with honor. His father's library and his 
continuous presence in the courtroom, during 
his boyhood and early manhood, gave him an 
inclination towards the law. For several years 
he combined the management of his father's 
farm in Rock-Bridge and the study of law, 
with Martin and McNeil. In the early part of 
1882 he was examined in law and admitted to 
the bar, standing second in a class of fifty. In 
1887 he went to Birmingham, Ala., and for 
nearly a year was engaged in literary and 
newspaper work. He was called back to Lan- 
caster by the fatal illness of his father. He 
was married to Miss Angle Oliver, of Circle- 
ville, in June, 1888. In 1890 he was elected 
prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County, 
serving to the full satisfaction of the public. 

He was patient in hearing facts from his 



288 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



clients, prudent and careful in preparing his 
cases, terse and logical in his pleadings, elo- 
quent and convincing in argument and success- 
ful as a lawyer. "Jack" Wright was a man of 
commanding presence and superior mind. He 
possessed an excellent voice and strong per- 
sonal magnetism. He was of an ardent and 
enthusiastic disposition. He inherited from his 
distinguished father, literary tastes and tend- 
encies. He had a remarkable command of 
language, a vivid imagination and great de- 
scriptive powers. From early boyhood his 
productions were numerous. His first publi- 
cation being a sketch of the life of his vener- 
able friend David Foster, the cabinet maker, 
for this work "Jack" received six solid hand- 
made chairs. Before his graduation he wrote 
a poem, which was inspired by a visit to Riven 
or "Christmas Rocks," which we copy. 

Hard by, to the south is a city, 

A wonderful city of stone, 
Through the streets of this lone, still city 

The wild winds ceaselessly moan. 

'Tis a city by Nature constructed. 
The work of vain man is not seen, 

'Tis decked not with gaudy "improvements," 
But revels in Nature's own green. 

No model of fine landscape garden 

May greet us at every turn. 
But there in a wild rich profusion 

Is the daisy and laurel and fern. 

Are you fond of such places as this is? 

Do you think the picture that's drawn. 
By the hand of Dame Nature surpasses 

All others, by far? 

If so, then do you go thither 

To this wonderful city of stone 
Where the winds through the streets of the 
city. 

In musical cadence moan. 



"Esmerelda," a romance founded on pio- 
neer life in Lancaster, is also worthy of note. 
This brilliant young man died at the age of 
41, being cut off in the prime of life. He died 
in 1901, after an illness of two years. 

Silas H. Wright was born in Hocking 
County, Ohio, June 21, 1830. He attended the 
country schools when a boy. His father, John 
Wright, was a farmer, but Silas displayed no 
aptitude for farming; when sent to plow he 
sat under a tree and read. At the age of thir- 
teen his father placed him with the famous 
educator. Dr. John Williams, of Greenfield 
.\cademy. Here he acquired the love and laid 
the foundation for a student's life. From this 
school he went to Delaware, where he gradu- 
ated from the Wesleyan University. Silas 
Wright then studied law with Judge Van 
Trump of Lancaster. After his admission to 
the bar, he settled in Muscatine, Iowa. After 
remaining one year, he returned to Ohio, and 
began the practice of law in Logan. He was 
twice elected prosecuting attorney of Hocking 
County. In 1S58 he married ]\Iiss Kate Moore 
of Newark, daughter of John Moore, owner of 
the famous old Mary Ann furnace. In 1866 
he was elected Judge of the Common Pleas 
Court of Hocking, Perry and Fairfield coun- 
ties. In 1874 Judge Wright moved his family 
to Lancaster. He served upon the bench con- 
tinuously for over twenty-one years, having 
been elected for a fifth term. Judge Wright's 
life was an open book, his nature as frank, free 
and familiar as the beautiful sunshine he loved 
so well. He had a deep, inborn, earnest love 
for nature, including everything animate and 
inanimate, made by the master of the universe. 
He was a man of kindly, social nature, his in- 
stincts were all for and with the people. He 
felt as if all men were brothers and as such 
were entitled to receive due respect and atten- 
tion, irrespective of race, condition, color or 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



289 



creed. He was instinctively broad and demo- 
cratic in his views, generous in judgment, boy- 
ish in his vivacity, frank in his faults, spotless 
in his honesty, strong in his attachments, true 
to his friends and forgiving to his enemies. 
Judge Wright was not only a jurist, but he was 
also a man of fine literary taste, and was all 
his life a student. He possessed a large and 
well selected library, was a careful reader and 
was endowed with a most retenti\'e memory. 
He was the author of a number of poems and 
prose articles, which appeared in the papers 
and magazines of the day, notable among them 
is "Bound and Unbound," "The Persimmon," 
"Hills of Hocking," together with many me- 
morial addresses and orations. His oration on 
the life and death of his old friend and 
teacher Dr. Williams and upon the death of 
Thomas Ewing, Sr., are worthy of note. 
Doubtless had Judge \\'right devoted his time 
and talents exclusively to writing, he would 
have occupied a place in the literary world pos- 
sessed by few. Judge Wright was one of the 
founders, workers and first trustees of our 
public library. He was deeply interested in its 
welfare from the day it was established until 
his death which occurred at his home (located 
on the lot where our new postoffice now 
stands) in November of 1887. 

Edson Lee Shaw was born in West Rush- 
ville, Ohio, Jan. 15, 186 1, and was the son of 
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Shaw. His boyhood 
days were spent on his father's farm, attending 
the village school until 17 years old, when he 
began teaching. After several years as in- 
structor of township schools he spent three 
years at Ann Arbor University, afterward 
taking up the study of law, and graduating 
from the Cincinnati Law School in 1885. 

He came to Lancaster soon after being ad- 
mitted to the bar and in a brief time was 
elected City Solicitor. In 1891 he married 



Miss Annie Wright, second daughter of Judge 
Silas H. Wright. Three sons were born to 
them : Silas Wright, Leland Moore and Rhod- 
erick Reese (twins). 

Edson Shaw was a young man of persever- 
ance and ambition, and anything he undertook 
was pushed to the front. He engaged in ab- 
stracting, and made the Fairfield County ab- 
stract. He also published a city and county 
map which proved of great value. He founded 
the Fairfield County Democrat. He was elect- 
ed Clerk of Courts and immediately set to work 
straightening out records and classifying the 
papers on iile in the clerk's office. His efforts 
were greatly appreciated by the attorneys and 
those having business in that office. He was 
elected for a second term. 

He originated and had copyrighted a com- 
plete form of abstract which was unique in 
idea, embracing the whole United States. He 
was of a cheerful disposition and was a friend 
of all classes. His death occurred Feb. 24. 
1899, at the age of 38 years, having been 
stricken with apoplexy, while on duty at his 
office of Clerk of Court. 

General Philoman Beecher came from Litch- 
field, Ct., in 1 80 1. He opened a law office at 
once and in 1803 he was elected a member of 
the Ohio Legislature. In 1818 he was elected 
to Congress and served for seven years. He 
died 1839 aged sixty-four years. 

Elijah B. Merwin came from Vermont and 
commenced the practice of law in 1804. He 
represented his county in the Legislature 1808: 
moved to Zanesville, 1815. He married a 
sister of Mrs. Elnathan Scofield of Lancaster. 

Alexander White, came from Winchester, 
Va. He was a good lawyer but died in 1804, 
while quite a young man. He was admitted in 
1801. 

^^'illiam W. Irvin came to Lancaster from 
■Virginia in 1801 ; was elected to the Ohio 



290 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



(r«"w- 



i^3( 



Legislature. In 1810 he was elected Judge of 
the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in 1828 was 
elected to Congress; was several times a mem- 
ber of the General Assembly. He died March 
27, 1842. 

Charles Robert Sherman was born in Nor- 
walk, Ct., May 26, 1788; admitted to the bar, 
1810. He came to Lancaster in 181 1. He 
was Internal Revenue Collector (July, 1817) 
for four years. In 1823 he was elected Su- 
preme Judge of Ohio. He died June 24, 1829, 
aged forty-one years. 

Henry Stanberry, born in New York City 
in 1803, came to Zanesville with his parents in 
1814. He was educated at Washington Col- 
lege, Pa. ; read law in Zanesville, and was ad- 
mitted to practice in Gallipolis, O. He was 
in partnership with Thomas Ewing. In 1846 
he was elected Attorney General of Ohio, and 
served for five years. He moved to Columbus 
in 1850 and was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention from Franklin County. 
Later he moved to Cincinnati. He was At- 
torney General of the United States in 1866, 
in President Johnson's Cabinet ; he resigned to 
defend the President during his trial for im- 
peachment. He died while on a visit to New 
York City, in 1883, aged eighty years. 

Thomas Ewing eame to Ohio — fpom near 
Wheeling in 1789. He came to Lancaster in 
181 5 and commenced the study of law with 
Phil^mefn Beecher and was admitted to the 
bar in 181 6. He was prosecutor for Fairfield 
County from 181 7 to 1830. He formed a part- 
nership in 1824, with Henry Stanbery. In 
t&te he went to the U. S. Senate and served 
six years. In 1841 he was Secretary of the 
Treasury under President Harrison. In 1849 
he was Secretary of the Interior under Presi- 
dent Taylor. He was appointed to fill the 
vacancy of Senator from Ohio, caused by the 



derfm of Thomas Corwin in 185 1. He died 
October 26, 1 87 1. 

John Trafford Brasee was bom in Hillsdale, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., in '1800. He came to 
Ohio about 1819; graduated from the Ohio 
University at Athens. He read law with the 
Hon. Joseph Dana, of Athens, Ohio, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1826. He began the 
practice of law in Gallipolis, where he re- 
mained for seven years. He moved to Lan- 
caster in 1833 and practiced until his retire- 
ment in i860. He was State Senator for one 
term, and died in October, 1880. 

Hocking H. Hunter was born in 1801. He 
studied law in the office of Wm. W. Irvin and 
was admitted in 1824. He was prosecuting 
attorney of Fairfield from 1830 to 1836. He 
was for many years, the law partner of Michael 
A. Daugherty. Vi V 

William Creed was a prominent member of 
the bar for many years. 

William Medill, born 1802 in Delaware, 
came to Lancaster, 1832. In 1835-36-37 he 
was a member of Ohio Legislature from Fair- 
field. He served two terms in Congress, 1839- 
43. He was assistant Postmaster General 
under President Polk, and later was made 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. He was a 
member of Ohio Constitutional Convention 
in 1850 and was elected president of that 
body; lieutenant governor of Ohio in 185 1, 
and was elected governor in 1854. He was ap- - 
pointed Comptroller of the U. S. Treasury by 
James Buchanan. He died, 1865. 

William J. Reese was born in Philadelphia, 
August 3, 1804. He came to Lancaster in 
1827, moved back to PTiiladelphia in 1843. 
He was Brigadier General of the Ohio Militia. 
He was Secretary of Fund Commission, State 
of Ohio, for several years. He died in Lan- 
caster, Dec. 17, 1883. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



291 



Michael A. Daugherty was bom in Mary- 
land. He came to Ohio and became the law 
partner of William Irvin. Later he was the 
partner of Hocking H. Hunter. He was State 
Senator, 1870 1872, and served with John 
Scofield Brasee on the Codifying Commis- 
sion, 1 876- 1 880. He moved to Columbus. 

Henry C. WTiitman was a lawyer from 
• Washington City, 1843, ^'''^ was the law part- 
ner of William Medill. He was State Senator 
in 1849, and was at one time Common Pleas 
Judge. He moved to Cincinnati. 

Morton Elnathan Brasee read law with his 
father, John T. Brasee. He went to Colum- 
bus and was the partner of George K. Nash. 
He died in 1870. 

H. H. Geisey was born Feb. 17, 1836. He 
studied law with the Hon. John T. Brasee; 
was admitted to the bar and practiced here 
before the Civil War. He fell in the battle of 
Dallas, at the age of twenty-eight years. 

Emanuel Geisey was for many years a mem- 
ber of this bar. 

John Himter studied law with his father, 
Hon. H. H. Hunter. He practiced for some 
years with his father, but later moved to Utah 
Territory and was chief justice there for sev- 
eral years. He died and is buried in Salt Lake 
City. 

Charles G. Hood was born in Lancaster in 
1845. He read law with M. A. Daugherty, 
and was admitted to the bar. He died in Butte, 
Montana in 1899. 

Kinnis Fritler was a member of this bar for 
many years. 

Edward Hunter studied law with his father, 
Hon. H. H. Hunter and was admitted to the 
bar at the age of twenty-one years. The next 
year he went to California, where he practiced 
some time but returned to Lancaster and be- 
came a partner of his father. He later be- 
ts 



came Supreme Judge of Washington Terri- 
tory, where he died. 

Charles Drinkle read law in the office of 
Hon. Jno. S. Brasee, was a promising young 
lawyer and was killed by accident in 1876. 

John D. Martin was born Jan. 7, 1819. He 
read law with John Trafford Brasee and prac- 
ticed in Lancaster for ten or twelve years, when 
he retired from the profession and became a 
prominent business man. 

John M. Creed was a lawyer of Lancaster. 
He was Speaker of the Ohio House in 1835, 
and in 1840 he was a delegate to the National 
Whig Convention, at Harrisburg. 

James Smith, a cousin of Benj. Smith, read 
law with the Hon. John T. Brasee and later 
went to Minnesota where he became a promi- 
nent lawyer and wealthy citizen of St. Paul. 

Horace P. Biddle was in 1838 a law student 
with Hocking H. Hunter. 

Robert F. Slaughter, born in Virginia, went 
first to Kentucky and in 1796 went to Chilli- 
cothe, Ohio. He came to Lancaster about 
1800. He was appointed Common Pleas Judge 
in 1805. He was elected to the Ohio Legis- 
lature. 181 7-19-2 1-23-24. He was prosecuting 
attorney for the county for four years ; was a 
member of Ohio Senate, 1810-11, also 1827- 
1831. He died October, 1846, aged ^6 years. 

William Creighton was sworn in as an at- 
torney, January the twelfth, 1801, and later 
moA^ed to Chillicothe. 

Judge Silliman was the first Common Pleas 
judge. 

Benjamin Smith was a member of Ohio 
Legislature 1813-1815 and moved to Charles- 
ton, West Virginia about 1820, where he be- 
came a prominent lawyer and politician. 

Thomas U. White, attorney came from 
Philadelphia to Lanca.ster in 1827. He was 
appointed County Auditor upon the death of 
Edmund B. Thompson. He was postmaster 



292 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



during Andrew Jackson's second term and 
later retired to his farm in Hamilton County, 
where he died. 

Samuel A. Baxter studied law with William 
Medill and was admitted in 1838. He moved 
to Lima, Ohio. 

John M. Connell was born in 1828. After 
his admission to the Bar he moved to Indiana. 
In 1 85 5 he came back to Wooster, where he 
remained for a few months and then came to 
Lancaster. In 1857 he was chief clerk to 
William Medill, comptroller of the treasury. 
He was electel Colonel of the 17th Ohio Regi- 
ment in 1 86 1, but resigned in 1863 to become 
State Senator. He was U. S. Revenue Asses- 
sor from 1866 to 1869, and died April 17, 
1882. 

Col. Van Trump was born Nov. 15, 1810. 
He was Common Pleas judge in October, 
1862, and member of Congress, 1867-73. He 
was nominated for governor in 1857. In 1838 
he was a partner of Henry Stanberry. He 
died in 1874. 

Newton Schleich was in partnership with 
Chas. D. Martin. He was appointed one of 
the three Brigadier-Generals to command 
Ohio troops during the three month's service. 
At the expiration of that time he recruited and 
commanded the 6ist Ohio regiment. 

Charles Borland, came to Ohio from Rock- 
ingham Co., Va., in the 30's. He was elected 
clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives in 
1839, and was appointed inspector of land 
offices, 1849. He abandoned his profession 
years before his death. He was Deputy Sheriff 
in 1841, under Thos. Eddingfield. 

William T. Wise was admitted to the Bar in 
1857. Before he began the study of law he 
was in business in Lancaster, firm name being 
(1846), Wise and Hilliard. He came from 
Rushville. 

James W. Stinchcomb, was born in Perry 



County, Ohio. He was a citizen of Lancaster 
in 1857; studied law with Henry Stanberry 
and Col. Van Trump. He formed a partner- 
ship with R. M. Clarke. He was prosecuting 
attorney for several terms. He died in 
Nevada. 

R. M. Clarke was admitted to the Bar in 
1847. He served one year as Deputy Revenue 
Collector under President Lincoln. 

William Dade, was a son of Ex. Gov. Dade, 
of Vermont. He was a partner of William 
Medill in 1840. He moved to Cleveland in 
1850 and held some foreign appointment under 
the United States Government. 

J.ohn Scotield Brasee, was born in Gallipolis, 
Ohio, August 19, 1832 and was brought to 
Lancaster in 1833. He spent two years at 
Greenfield Academy, one year at Milnor Hall, 
Gambler, and graduated from Kenyon Col- 
lege, 1852, with the degree of A. B. and after- 
ward received the degree of M. A. from the 
same college. He read law with his father, 
John T. Brasee, and was admitted to practice 
in 1854. He was first president of the Ohio 
and West Virginia R. R., now a part of the 
Hocking Valley Railroad. He was appointed 
a member of the Codifying Commission, 1876- 
1880, and was General Solicitor for more than 
forty years for the C. & M. V. R. R., now a 
part of the Pennsylvania system. He died 
February 23, 1905. 

Charles D. Martin, born in Mt. Vernon, 
Ohio, Aug. 5, 1829. He read law with John 
D. Martin and was admitted to the Bar in 
1850. He was elected to Congress in 1858, 
and served two years; was appointed a mem- 
ber of the Supreme Court Commission, 1883, 
for the term of two years. He died August 

27, 1911- 

David Stalter, bom about 1829, near Somer- 
set, came from Perry County ; attended Green- 
field Academy under John Williams; studied 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



295 



law with Hon. John S. Brasee. He removed 
to Columbus, where he continued in the pro- 
fession until his death, which occurred in 1904. 
Silas H. Wright, born in Hocking County, 
Ohio, June 21, 1850; studied law with Col. 
Van Trump. He lived in Logan and was twice 
elected prosecuting attorney for Hocking 
County. In 1866 he was elected Common 
Pleas judge for the counties of Perry, Hock- 
ing and Fairfield, and served for twenty-one 
years. He came to Lancaster in 1874, and 
died in 1887, aged fifty-six years. 

John B. McNeil was admitted to the Bar in 
1847 and was the law partner of Hon. Charles 
D. Martin. He died at about sixty years of 
age. 

Alfred McVeigh served one term as State 
Senator during the war. In 1862 he was a 
delegate to the great Union State Convention, 
held in Columbus and was accidentally killed 
near \\'inchester, Ohio, by the over turning of 
a stage coach. 

Edson Lee Shaw, spent three years at Ann 
Arbor LTniversity and afterward went to the 
Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1885. 
He then came to Lancaster and was elected City 
Solicitor. He was later elected Clerk of 
Courts, and while serving his second term, he 
was stricken with apoplexy, and died Feb. 24, 
1899. 

John M. Wright, graduated from the 
Pleasantville Academy in 1880. He studied 
law with Martin and McNeil, and was admit- 
ted to practice in 1882. He was elected pros- 
ecuting attorney in 1890; died in 1901. 

Theodore Wood Tallmadge was the partner 
of John T. Brasee. He moved to Columbus 
and from there to Washington. 

John Trafford Brasee. graduated from Ken- 
yon College with the degree of A. B. in 1882. 
He read law with his father, John Scofield 
Brasee; was admitted to practice in 1885. He 



entered into partnership with his father, which 
continued until he was appointed deputy state 
commissioner of insurance for Ohio, by Gov. 
George K. Nash in August, 1900. He served 
continuously in this capacity under Govs. Nash, 
Herrick, Pattison, Harris and Harmon until 
Sept. I, 191 1. Mr. Brasee is now in Cleve- 
land, and is president of the Cleveland Na- 
tional Fire Insurance Company. 

George E. Martin went to Wittenberg Col- 
lege, Springfield, Ohio, and to Heidelberg 
University; admitted to the Bar, 1883; was 
Common Pleas judge, and has recently been ap- 
pointed judge of Customs Court of Appeals 
by Pres. Wm. H. Taft. He has moved to 
Washington. 

Arthur I. Vorys, attended the public schools 
in Lancaster and spent one year in the Ohio 
State University. He studied la,w in the office 
of Hon. John S. Brasee and was admitted to 
the bar in 1879. He served two terms as City 
Solicitor. He was appointed commissioner of 
insurance in 1900 by Gov. Nash to fill an un- 
expired term. He was again appointed by 
Gov. Nash in 1902, and by Gov. Herrick in 
1905. In 1907 Mr. Vorys resigned to take 
cliarge of the Taft campaign. He is now a 
member of the law firm of Vorys, Seymour, 
Safer & Pees of Columbus, Ohio. 

Geo. W. Steinman, studied law with Geo. 
E. Martin and was admitted to practice in 
1900. He practiced a short time in Lancaster. 
He was appointed chief clerk in the State In- 
surance Department, and served under Govs. 
Nash, Herrick, Pattison and Harmon. He is 
at present Comptroller of the Midland Life In- 
surance Co. 

Jonas Shallenberger obtained his education 
at Fairfield L^nion Academy; was postmaster 
in Lancaster. He practiced law here until his 
death. 

Edson B. Cartmell, born 1846, graduated 



296 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



from Kenyon College, and was rector of the 
Episcopal church here. He later read law in 
the office of Hon. John S. Brasee, was ad- 
mitted to the practice, but remained in the pro- 
fession only a few months. He retired and 
became associated with the Hocking Valley 
Manufacturing Co., and became its president 
a few years later. 

Charles Courtright, read law with Thomas 
H. Dolson. He practiced in Lancaster for a 
few years and then moved to Columbus. 

Samuel Kistler practiced law in Lancaster 
from his admission to the Bar, until his death. 

David Clover, now dead," was at one time 
prosecuting attorney and practiced law in Lan- 
caster a number of years. 

William A. Schultz was probate judge at 
the time of his death. 

James W. Bope was admitted to the practice 
of law in 1847. 

Albert Heister, was a practicing lawyer in 
Lancaster for a number of years. 

James Farrell was a lawyer in Lancaster 
for a few years, but moved to Los Angeles, 
Cal. 

There was a Mr. Gaston who practiced in 
Lancaster and was the partner of David Stalter 
for a time. 

Virgil E. Shaw was elected probate judge 
by the Know-nothing Party. In 1856 he was 
chainnan of the Republican Committee. He 
later became a Democrat. 

John J. Crosby came to Lancaster from 
Perry County. He removed to Columbus, 
where he died. 

Levi Hite was for many years a partner of 
Thomas H. Dolson. He moved from Lan- 
caster to Columbus and died soon afterward. 

Harry Bradford read law with Thomas H. 
Dolson. He practiced some years in Lan- 
caster and later moved to Columbus. 

Edward B. Dillon, read law with George E. 



Martin. He is now Common Pleas judge of 
Franklin County. 

Edward D. Teele was in the office with 
Judge J. G. Reeves. He moved to Michigan 
and died there. 

Basil Carlisle was in partnership with C. W. 
McCleery for about fifteen months. He moved 
to Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he died. 

A. Reese Eversole, practiced law in Lan- 
caster for a few years when he retired from 
the profession to become Editor of the Fair- 
field County Republican. 

L. O. Binkley was a practioner here until his 
death. 

John D. McCormick, was bom in Cincin- 
nati, O., Feb. 27, 1848. He graduated from 
Notre Dame University, June, 1872, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Science. He studied 
law with Kinnis Fritter and was admitted to 
the practice, 1875. Mr. McCormick also re- 
ceived the degree of Master of Science from 
Notre Dame. He was elected mayor of Lan- 
caster in 1877 and prosecuting attorney in 
1880. He died Sept. 23, 1881. 

George Washington Alfred, was born in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1837. He attended 
the University at Athens, read law with the 
Hon. ^Villiam Medill of Lancaster, and was 
admitted to the Bar about i860. After about 
two years he went to Salina, Mercer County, 
where he remained until 1865. He then went 
to Hocking County and was elected probate 
judge in 1866 and served two terms. He re- 
mained in Hocking County until 1880, when 
he came to Lancaster and lived here until 1887. 
He then went to Columbus for three years but 
returned to Lancaster in 1900, at which place 
he continued in the practice of his profession 
until his death, which occurred March 17, 
1909. 

Gen. Thomas Ewing was Secretary to Pres. 
Taylor to sign land warrants. He was made 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



297 



chief justice of Kansas after it became a state. 
He returned to Lancaster and was elected 
member of Congress. He moved to New 
York. 

John G. Ewing was a member of this bar 
for some years, but is now living in Detroit, 
Michigan. 

Tallman Slough read law in the office of 
Robert Clarke and was admitted to the bar in 
i860. In 1 86 1 he was elected City Solicitor 
and in 1862 he was elected Prosecuting At- 
torney and served two terms. He was elected 
Mayor of Lancaster in 1867 and served four 
temis. He was elected Common Pleas judge 
and died during his incumbency. 

Washington Van Ham, Wm. R. Rankin, 
Adison Shaw, Alfred Williains were all mem- 
bers of this bar from 1838 until late in the 
eighties. 

John Garaghty was for many years the part- 
ner of Hocking H. Hunter. He served as 
Mayor of the City in 1848-49. He later re- 
moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Jesse B. Hart was one of the early lawyers 
here and was a partner of Chas. Borland. 

William Hackett, practised law in Lancaster 
for a number of years. ■■ 

Charles F. Shaeffer was a member of this 
bar, practising here for about thirty years, 
when he retired from active professional life. 

George L. Sites studied law in Lancaster, 
spent several years in Chicago and filled sev- 
eral positions in Washington. 

Hugh Ewing was for many years a member 
of this bar but retired from active practice 
many years before his death. 

Philomen Ewing was also a member of this 
bar and served as Common Pleas judge for a 
short time. 

Harry Kemmerer Beck, was admitted to 
practice in 1895. He graduated from the 
Georgetown University in 1895. He prac- 



ticed law for about ten years in Washington, 
D. C, and returned to Lancaster in 1904. Mr. 
Beck is at present the Cashier of the Fairfield 
National Bank. 

Mr. James Miller practiced law in Lancas- 
ter in partnership with his brother Mr. George 
Miller, but later moved to Los Angeles, Cal- 
ifornia where he now lives. 

Mr. H. C. Drinkle secured his education in 
the public schools of Lancaster, except a very 
short period at the Ohio University at Athens 
in 1866. He read law with the late Judge 
John Scofield Brasee, one of the greatest 
lawyers ever at the Lancaster Bar, and was 
admitted to practice Sept., 1869. He was 
elected city solicitor of Lancaster, Ohio, in 
1873, aiid reelected for three additional terms 
of two years each, eight consecutive years. In 
January, 1876, he was elected one of the ser- 
geants-at-arms of the Ohio Senate, and served 
two years. The democrats carried the Senate 
the next session by one majority. In April, 
1883 he was elected Mayor of the City of 
Lancaster, and served only one term of two 
years, declining a re-election. In 1889 he was 
appointed deputy internal revenue assessor 
for Fairfield, Hocking and Perry Counties, 
serving four years when the office was abol- 
ished. On January 8th, 1900 he was appointed 
probate judge by Gov. Bushnell to fill a va- 
cancy caused by the death of the then Judge 
William A. Shultz, and served until the fol- 
lowing November election — a little more than 
eleven months. Mr. Drinkle continued in the 
practice of the law until September i, 1910, 
when he was appointed postmaster of the 
City of Lancaster by President Taft, upon the 
recommendation of Congressman Albert 
Douglas, and Hon. Arthur I. Vorys. He died 
April 4. 1912. 

Claudius T. McCoy was born in Hardin 
County, near Kenton, Ohio, May 30, 1845. 



298 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



He was a farmer's boy. He attended Kenton 
High School and VermilHon Academy in 
Ashland County, a Presbyterian school, which 
is now superseded by W'ooster University. 
He taught school fourteen years, was princi- 
pal of Kenton High School for two years; 
Lancaster High School, three years; and su- 
perintendent of Waverly, Ohio, schools for 
seven years. He read law with George D. 
Cole, of Waverly, Ohio, and was admitted to 
the practice in 1S78, and practiced at the Pike 
County bar until 1891, when he removed to 
Lancaster, Ohio. In 1894, because of ill 
health, he gave up practice and has since been 
the general agent of the American Book Com- 
pany, traveling in this and other states. 

John K. Henry was for a few years a mem- 
ber of this Bar, but for many years has been 
actively engaged in the practice of law in Co- 
lumbus, Ohio. 

THE BAR OF TODAY 

William A. Davidson graduated from Lan- 
caster High School in 1867; Ohio Wesleyan 
University, June, 1871 ; studied law with 
Martin and McNeil; admitted to bar 1873; 
has been practising in Lancaster ever since. 

Thomas Hanby Dolson, admitted to Bar 
Dec. II, 1873; fonned partnership with Levi 
Hite, under firm name of Hite & Dolson, 
which continued for ten years; prosecuting 
attorney 1876-78 and appointed to fill out un- 
expired term of John D. McCormick. He is 
one of the strong members of the bar. 

Ben R. Dolson, bom March 13, 1879; grad- 
uated from Lancaster High School 1898; 
graduated from Ohio State University 1903, 
with degree of Bachelor of Philosophy; 
studied law in office of his father, Thomas H. 
Dolson; was admitted to the bar in 1905. 
November, 1905 he was elected City Solici- 
tor and served two terms until Jan. i, 1910. 



Charles Dickinson Brasee, read law in the 
office of his father John Scofield Brasee; was 
admitted to practice in 1903, and has prac- 
ticed in Lancaster ever since. 

Joseph S. Sites, studied law with Hunter 
& Daugherty; was admitted to practice in 
1874, and entered into partnership with Tall- 
man Slough, for two years ; graduated from 
Fairfield Union Academy, 1870, and from 
Ohio State University, 1872; superintendent 
of Public Schools at Dresden, 1873- 1874; 
elected to State Senate 1906 and served three 
years; member of City Council for eight con- 
secutive years and was president of that body 
part of the time. 

Charles W. McCleery read law in the of- 
fice of William Davidson ; was admitted to the 
bar in 1878. 

James McCleery graduated from the Ohio 
State University in 1909 and was admitted to 
the practice of law the same year. 

Augustus W. Mithoff graduated from Lan- 
caster High School in June, 1889. He studied 
law under Charles D. Martin; was admitted 
to the bar in March, 1897. He was associated 
with Judge Martin from the time of his ad- 
mission until the death of Judge Martin in 
August, 191 1. 

Edward C. Rutter, admitted to bar 1893; 
had common school education; was elected 
probate judge in 1890, and served as such two 
terms 1891 to 1897; has been in practice since 
1897. 

David Sites is practicing in Pleasantville, 
Ohio. 

Frank M. Acton graduated from the Lan- 
caster High School in June, 1900. He read 
law in the office of Chas. W. McCleery and 
was admitted to practice in 1903 ; served as 
city solicitor and was prosecuting attorney of 
Fairfield County. 

Charles A. Radcliffe read law in the office 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



299 



of Irvine Dungan and J. K. McClung of 
Jackson, Ohio; graduated, O. S. U., 1895; ad- 
mitted to practice 1898; came to Lancaster 
from Jackson in 1901 ; has been secretary 
Pubhc Service Commission since June, 1909. 

John Harvard Littrell, born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio; graduated 
from the public schools of Pleasant Township ; 
began the study of law June 6, 1900, with J. 
S. Sites; was appointed clerk at the Boys In- 
dustrial School by D. M. Barrett, Apr. i, 1892 ; 
resigned Jan. i, 1893, and resumed the study 
of law in ofifice of H. C. Drinkle; admitted to 
bar June, 1895. 

George C. Miller, admitted to practice May 
28, 1897 from Ohio State University, Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

Olaf E. Myers registered and read law 
with A. I. Vorys; was admitted to the Bar in 
1900. 

Edward G. Kirn, graduated from the Ohio 
State University June 28, 1904, and has been 
practicing law in Lancaster ever since. 

Charles Clayton Pickering read law with 
W. H. Lane, of Franklin County; admitted 
June, 1887; practiced three years at Canal 
Winchester; came to Lancaster, 1890, and 
formed partnership with his brother, James T. 
Pickering. He graduated from Ohio Wes- 
leyan L^niversity in 1883. 

James Tivis Pickering studied law with W. 
H. Lane of Franklin County; was admitted 
to the bar January, 1888. He practiced two 
years at Pickerington and came to Lancaster, 
1900, where he formed a partnership with his 
brother, C. C. Pickering. He graduated from 
Ohio Wesleyan University, 1883, and was 
postmaster at Lancaster from 1898 until 19 10. 

Van A. Snider, read law with John G. 
Reeves; Deputy Sheriff, 1892-1895; City So- 
licitor, 1910-1912; reelected 1912-1914; was 
admitted to the bar Oct. 16, 1896; U. S. Cir- 



cuit and District Courts, 1900; U. S. Supreme 
Court, March 5, 1909. 

George Washington Moss read law with 
George E. Martin and was admitted Dec. 7, 
1901. He was a member of the Board of 
Elections for eight years. He moved to Lan- 
caster in 1892 from near Carroll. 

Chas. Otto Beals, is practicing law in Pick- 
erington, Fairfield County, and is a member 
of this Bar. 

William K. Martin graduated from Ohio 
State University in 1903, and was admitted 
to the Bar in 1904. 

Brooks E. Shell was educated at the O. W. 
University; studied law with George E. Mar- 
tin; was admitted to the bar in Denver, Col., 
in Jan., 191 1. He was police prosecutor at 
Denver, 1895-1897; has practiced in Lancas- 
ter since 1898. 

John G. Reeves, was admitted to practice, 
May 19, 1865; was admitted to practice in the 
District and Circuit Courts of U. S. at Cin- 
cinnati, in 1880 and in the Supreme Court of 
the U. S., at Washington, D. C, 1885. He 
was elected Common Pleas judge and is the 
present incumbent. A strong lawyer and 
worthy judge. 

W. T. McClenaghan was admitted to prac- 
tice in the state of Michigan, in 1880 and Ohio 
in 1 88 1. When he came to Lancaster, he en- 
tered the law office of Hon. C. D. Martin. 

J. Frank Thompson is practicing in Bremen, 
Ohio. 

J. H. Fultz is a lawyer in Rushville, this 
county. 

William Daugherty, lawyer, was court 
stenographer for a number of years. 

James W. Deffenbaugh was born in Perry 
Township, Hocking County, Ohio. He 
taught school from 1892 until 1902 ; began to 
study law under Judge I. N. Abernethy of 
Circleville, Ohio, and finished his course of 



300 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



law in the Ohio Northern University; was 
admitted to the Bar in December, 1902, and 
began to practice in Laurelville. He came to 
Lancaster in 1905 and has practiced here ever 
since. 

James A. Tobin was admitted to practice by 
the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1881. He 
came to Lancaster in 1884 and has practiced 
here ever since. 

George Ewing was admitted to the bar in 
May, 1888. He attended school at St. Vin- 
cent College, Westmoreland County, Pa. He 
graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 
May, 1888; commenced to practice in Lancas- 
ter in 1889; was in partnership with his 
brother Fenwick from 1893 until 1898; has 
been a member of State Board of Pardons 
from 1895 until the present time. 

Fenwick Ewing was admitted to the bar in 
1903. He was in partnership with his brother 
George for some years. He now lives in 
Granville, Ohio. 

Neil Ewing was admitted in 1903 but has 
moved to New York. 

Michael A. Daugherty is an active member 
of the profession here, and has been here 
many years. He is also prominent in politi- 
cal life and is widely known over the state. 

Leroy G. Silbaugh was admitted to the bar 
Oct. 5, 1893. He came to Lancaster July 7, 
1895; was elected Mayor of Lancaster 1901- 
1903. He is a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation and the Board of Review. Mr. Sil- 
baugh read law with Gen'l. Enochs of Iron- 
ton, Ohio. 

Thurman Courtright came to Lancaster in 
igo2. He read law with Judge Reeves, and 
later completed the Law Course at the Ohio 
State University in 1900. He was elected 
prosecutor in November, 1908 and is the pres- 
ent incumbent of that office. 

H. Clinton Belt studied law with Judge G. 



W. Stanley of Lebanon, Ohio, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1898. He came to Lan- 
caster in 1907, and was appointed Clerk of 
the County Commissioners and is still acting 
in that capacity. 

Alexander Brown Kiefaber was born in 
Oakland, Fairfield County, Ohio , in 1857. 
He was justice of the peace in Clear Creek and 
Amanda townships for eleven years; post- 
master at Oakland, seven years; county 
school examiner, six years; probate judge, 
six years. He was educated in the common 
schools and the National Normal University 
of Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the degrees 
of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. 
He read law with John G. Reeves of Lancas- 
ter, Ohio; was admitted to practice in the 
Ohio State Courts on October 8, 1891 and in 
the Federal Courts on December 5, 1898. He 
is president of the Sinking Fund Trustees of 
the City of Lancaster, Ohio, and is practicing 
law in that city at the present time. 

Geo. Strode Cunningham, came to Lancas- 
ter in 1880 and attended the public schools. 
In 1 88 1 he went to the Ohio State University 
and graduated from there in 1885. He read 
law with Martin & McNeil and later spent 
two years in the Cincinnati Law School, grad- 
uating from there in 1887. He was in part- 
nership for several years with the late Edson 
L. Shaw. He was Mayor of Lancaster for 
two years. 

Charles Edman Ruble came to Lancaster 
from North Berne in 1900. He read law with 
George E. Martin and was admitted to the 
Bar in December, 1901. 

C. M. Strickler studied law under Judge 
John S. Brasee and graduated from the Uni- 
versity of Michigan School of Law in 1887. 

Mr. Henry J. Booth was born at Lancaster, 
Fairfield Co., March 14, 1849. He received 
his early education in the public schools of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



301 



Lancaster, later attending Dennison Univer- 
sity and in 1873 he was graduated from Am- 
herst College with the degree of A. B. He 
was admitted to the Bar in 1874 and has been 
practicing in Columbus since that time. 
Though his professional life has been spent 
entirely in the capital city Fairfield County 
claims him as one of her distinguished sons. 

John K. Henry, an attorney practicing at 
the Columbus bar, is a native of Fairfield 
County, born in Rush Creek township in 1859. 
He graduated from Muskingum College in 
the class of 1880, read law in Fairfield County 
and served for a time in the county clerk's 
office. He was admitted to practice in 1892, 
soon after which he located in Columbus, O., 
where he is now engaged in the practice of his 
profession. 

William Davidson, a member of the Lan- 
caster bar, was born in Licking County, Ohio 
in 1850. He graduated from Delaware Col- 
lege in 1 87 1. In 1873 he was admitted to the 
bar and has been in active practice in Lancas- 
ter ever since. 

Hon. Hem-y Clay Drinker, the present 
postmaster of Lancaster, O., was educated in 
the public schools of this city and for some 
years was employed in the office of the Lan- 
caster Gazette. He studied law under the 
Hon. John S. Brasee and was admitted to the 
bar in September, 1869. He gave up his law 
practice on being appointed to his present of- 
fice. His death occurred Apr. 4, 191 2. 

Hon. Elijah F. Holland, probate judge of 
Fairfield County, O.. now ser\'ing in his sec- 
ond official term has been a member of the 
Ohio ba-r for almost forty years. He was 
born at Baltimore, O., in 1845. After serv- 
ing in the Civil war he taught school for a 
time. He then studied law under Judge Bra- 
see and was admitted to the bar of Fairfield 
county in 1872, becoming one of its leading 



members. In 1900 he settled in Lancaster 
and in 1905 was elected to the bench, in which 
position he has proved himself a man of large 
capacity.' 

Charles Bell Whiley was a student at the 
Ohio State University, 1882-3. ^^ ^^^'^ l^w 
with Hon. George E. Martin and has been en- 
gaged in its practice in Lancaster. He is now 
(1912) cashier of the "Farmers & Citizens 
Bank." 

THE BENCH 

The Bench of Fairfield County has been 
quite as noted as its Bar, though the number 
of distinguished men has not been so large. 
These judges have been clear logical reasoners 
with a desire for justice, based upon a wide 
and accurate knowledge of the law. 

The list of judges as here given is as nearly 
complete as it is possible to obtain from the 
records, which are not at all times clear or 
full. The courts, and the districts have been 
changed by the Legislature quite frequently, 
which is the cause in part for the condition 
of the records. 

COMMON PLEAS JUDGES 

The Common Pleas Judges elected April 6, 
1802 were Wm. W. Irwin, Samuel Carpenter 
and Daniel Van Meter. Irwin was impeached 
by the senate for neglect of duties Jan. 6, 
1806. 

Robert F. Slaughter was elected president 
judge of the middle circuit, Feb. 7, 1805. 

The associate judges elected Jan. 20, 1806 
were Henry Abrams and Joshua Burton. 

Emanuel Carpenter was elected associate 
judge Feb. 7, 1809. 

The associate judges elected Feb. 15. 1810 
were Henry Abrams, Samuel Carpenter and 
James Quinn. 

The associate judge elected Feb. 25, 1816 
was Elnathan Scofield. 



302 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The associate judges elected Jan. 25, 1817 
were David Swazy and John Augustus. 

Jacob Deitric was the associate judge 
elected during the session of 182 1 and he was 
again elected in January, 1828. 

In January, 1833, David Ewing was elected 
associate judge; in January, 1835, Joseph 
Stukey; in January, 1838, John Graybill; in 
the session of 1840, David Ewing; in the ses- 
sion of 1842, Joseph Stukey. 

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS SINCE 185I 

Seventh District — First Sub-Division 

Common Pleas districts 1901, as fixed by 
the General Assembly under its constitutional 
powers by act of January, 1879 — 7^^ District, 
1st Sub-division. 

Henry C. Whitman, elected February, 
1852, resigned March, 1862; Philadelph Van 
Trump, November, 1862 to August, 1866; 
Philomen B. Ewing, September, 1866 to No- 
vember, 1866; Silah H. Wright, October, 
1866, died November, 1887; Tallman Slough, 
November, 1888, died August, 1900; Charles 
W. McCleery (appointed vice Slough) Au- 
gust, 1900 to November, 1900; John G. 
Reeves, November, 1900; Geo. E. Martin. 

The Circuit Court of Fairfield County, 5th 
Judicial District, was created in 1883. 

MEMBERS OF THE PRESmENT's CABINET 

Thomas Ewing was Secretary of the Treas- 
ury under President Harrison in 1841 and 
Secretary of the Interior under President 
Taylor in 1849. 

Henry Stanberry was attorney-general un- 
der President Johnson, 1866 to 1868. 

The U. S. Senators from Ohio; 1831-33, 



Thomas Ewing, January, 1831, vice Burnet; 
1833-37, Thomas Ewing. 

William McClung was elected associate 
judge in the session of 1842-3; Gideon Mar- 
tin, 1845; Elias Perry, 1849; Wm. McClung, 
1850. 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUVENILE COURT 

The Juvenile Court was organized in this 
county on the ist day of January, A. D., 1909, 
by the appointment- by the Common Pleas 
judges of this sub-division of the probate 
judge of this county, E. F. Holland, as the 
judge of the Juvenile Court. S. Theodore 
Shaeiifer was, on said day, appointed by the 
juvenile judge as chief probation officer, and 
Miss Ethel Shaeffer was appointed assistant 
probation officer. 

This is a most important court. It puts into 
the hands of the judge the care and keeping 
of the wayward and unfortunate youth of the 
county, who are soon to become citizens with 
all the rights and powers of citizenship. The 
judge should have a great heart and a deep in- 
sight into human nature. He can make or 
ruin the ward under his charge. He must be, 
for Fairfield County, all that Judge Ben Lind- 
say has been for the city of Denver, or Judge 
Samuel L. Black for the City of Columbus. 
The Common Pleas judges of this sub-divi- 
sion made no mistake when they appointed 
E. F. Holland as Juvenile Judge. He is a 
man of keen intellect and generous impulse. 
He is a true father to the erring boy and a 
wise advisor for the helpless orphan. His 
high Christian character and honorable career 
mark him as one of Fairfield's most worthy 
sons. 



CHAPTER XII 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



A Brief History of Medicine — Doctors of the Old School — Medical History of Fairfield 
County (by Dr. H. M. Haselton) — Sketches of Drs. J. H. Goss, Geo. IV. Boerstler, Tom 
O. Edwards, Michael EEnger, F. L. Flowers, P. M. IVagenhals, Hervey Scott — List of 
Physicians and Surgeons in the County — The Dentists — The Park Street Hospital — 
The Lancaster Medical Research Club. 



A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEDICINE 

"The proper study of mankind is man; 
higher than this there is none." The above is 
a philosophical truth — expressed many cen- 
turies ago. It has the same force to-day, for 
the proper study of man leads to the study of 
the laws of God as applied to and as govern- 
ing man. The study of medicine is the study 
of man in most vital relations. It is as old as 
civilization itself. 

The history of medicine must necessarily 
begin with the written history of events. Its 
earliest period is enveloped in profound ob- 
scurity. It is largely myth and fable. We 
look to the Scriptures for our earliest account 
of medicine. In these writings may be gath- 
ered here and there a fair idea of Egyptian 
knowledge and practice. Egypt had a class of 
men who practiced the healing art, and they 
also embalmed the dead. The art of embalm- 
ing required a rather definite knowledge of 
anatomy. Prof. Roswell Park, in his great 
history of medicine, says that probably the 
mythical being whom the Egyptians called 



"Thoth," whom the Greeks named "Hermes," 
and the Latins "iVIercury," passed among the 
Egyptians as the inventor of all sciences and 
arts. They attributed to Thoth a large num- 
ber of medical works, and great medical skill. 
A knowledge of medicine is not attained in a 
day. It is a growth of centuries. Perhaps 
no one of the professions is based more largely 
upon experience than medicine. Strabo says 
that the Egyptians exposed their sick and 
afflicted in the public squares; that any one 
who had been similarly afflicted might give his 
experience and advice for the benefit of the 
sufiferers. Herodotus says the same custom 
prevailed in Babylon. Pliny assures us that 
the kings of Egypt permitted the opening of 
corpses for the purpose of discovering the 
causes of disease. Thus originated the au- 
topsy of modern days. 

The Scriptures give ample proof of the 
medical knowledge of the Hebrews. The 
book of Leviticus is largely made up of rules 
concerning matters of public health. The 
measures suggested by Moses for the preven- 
tion of the spread of leprosy could not now be 



303 



304 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



surpassed, says Professor Park. Solomon 
was skilled in medical lore next to Moses. To 
Solomon is attributed a very accurate knowl- 
edge of natural history. Josephus claimed 
Solomon had such perfect knowledge of the 
properties of all the productions of Nature, 
that he availed himself of it to make remedies 
extremely useful. A knowledge of medicine 
was widely extended among the Brahmins, a 
priest caste of India, who alone had the right 
to practice medicine. 

These ancient priests practiced much ab- 
surdity, yet they had some knowledge that we 
of to-day cannot equal. "They are believed 
to have had an ointment that caused the cica- 
trices of variola to disappear, and they cured 
the bites of venomous serpents with remedies 
whose composition has been lost." 

In China medicine has been practiced for 
almost untold centuries. Its study was intro- 
duced by the third emperor of the first dy- 
nasty, Hwangti. It was based upon the pulse. 
Great stress was placed upon the study of the 
pulse, for from it could be divined the seat, 
duration and gravity of the disease. 

As the historian must look to Greece for 
much of the world's art, so also must the 
writer of medical history, for it was ^scula- 
pius who gave to the Greeks, and thus to mod- 
ern times, the first principles of medicine. 
.<^sculapius was supposed to be the son of 
Apollo and the nymph Coronis, and, as was 
true of Homer, a number of Grecian cities 
claimed the honor of his birthplace. He was 
the leading character in medicine of all the 
ancients. Temples were erected in his honor, 
and distinguished priests were dedicated to 
these temples, and schools of instruction 
founded. So noted did he become that, in 
later times, the imaginative Greeks related 
that when Pluto became alarmed at the daily 
diminishing number of arrivals in his king- 



dom, he complained to Jupiter, and the latter 
destroyed the audacious healer of men. From 
this event, some wit said, "The modern chil- 
dren of yEsculapius abstain from performing 
prodigies." 

Pythagoras was the first to introduce the 
custom of visiting the sick in their own homes. 
He was a man of immense learning, and in 
many ways has left his mark upon the intel- 
lectual world. 

But the central figure in the history of an- 
cient medicine is Hippocrates, a descendant of 
^Esculapius. To him at least lo volumes on 
the general practice of medicine are attributed 
by Renouard, who has made an exhaustive 
study of the life and work of Hippocrates. 
These writings, joined to those of Pythagoras, 
Plato and Aristotle, formed a definite part of 
the great libraries of Alexandria and Perga- 
mos — "The most ancient authentic monument 
of medical science." Next in order comes the 
work of Alexander the Great, who collected 
the riches, intellectual and natural, of the uni- 
verse. The value of this collection — the great 
Alexandrian Library — will never be ex- 
hausted. 

The most noted of the early Roman writ- 
ers on medicine was Aulus Cornelius Celsus. 
Celsus was a man of very wide and accurate 
knowledge — in fact, he was a walking cyclo- 
pedia of the day. 

But the most noted, as well as influential, 
of all the early physicians was the great Galen 
(13 1 -20 1 A. D.). He was a native of Perga- 
mos. He traveled widely, and studied at 
Alexandria. He practiced at Rome, where, 
by his brilliant logic, eloquence, profound eru- 
dition, great versatility and practical skill he 
easily took first rank. He was a voluminous 
writer and he accomplished great things in 
anatomy and physiology. For many years 
after Galen the practice of dissection was dis- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



305 



continued. His influence was so great that 
many schools grew up under his instruction, 
and he had many followers. 

I'^oUowing Galen came a long period of 
transition covering the Greek period of Rome, 
then the Arabic period, the great School of 
Salemum and the School of Montpellier. 
This brings the history of medicine down to 
1400 A. D., when the "New Age" begins, 
running on to the present. This "New Age" 
— or the "Age of Renovation," as Renouard 
calls it, had a sudden awakening, following 
the establishment of hospitals and medical 
schools, the invention of the compass, the tele- 
scope and the microscope. Engraving on cop- 
per also added to this new age, but above all 
other influences was the invention of printing. 
This was the erudite period, and we find the 
names of Linacre, Vesalius, Columbus, Eu- 
stachius, Fallopius and others, prominent. 
Then we read of the great work of the Uni- 
versity of Paris with its thousands of students 
from all nations. The "cell" doctrine was in- 
troduced after more extended study of botany 
and zoology in the i6th century. 

But the great discovery of the time was 
that of Dr. William Harvey — the circulation 
of the blood, which he announced through his 
lectures from 1613 to 1619. The results of 
his researches were not published until 1628, 
and. because of the intense jealousy in his 
native England, his work was unable to pass 
censorship there, but was published in Frank- 
fort, Germany. 

The announcement of this discovery should 
have appealed at once to the intelligence of 
every doctor of the land. On the contrary it 
aroused bitter opposition, and. in fact, it 
caused a general stupefaction in the medical 
world. All classes of professional men took 
part in the discussion, especially naturalists 
and philosophers. Rene Descartes, one of the 



most brilliant men of any age, was the first to 
declare in favor of Harvey's argument, and 
Cambridge University accepted it in 1649. 
Harvey only answered his opponents by new 
proofs, and. in other ways maintained a digni- 
fied silence. He lived long enough to see his 
theory universally adopted. 

The discoveries made in surgery in the 
next century were many and valuable, and 
surgical instruments were much improved. 

Perhaps the most noted of all medical dis- 
coveries was that of Dr. Edward Jenner, 
widely known as the "Father of Vaccination." 
This great discoverer was born in 1749, and, 
when a medical student, was told by a milk- 
maid that cow-pox bad protective power 
against variola ; he reported the statement to 
his preceptor, Dr. John Hunter, in 1770. The 
young Jenner was told not to spend his time 
thinking about what had been told him, but 
"to investigate." The subject never afterward 
left his mind. Dr. Waterhouse, professor of 
medicine in Harvard College, made the first 
vaccinations in the United States, in 1800, 
upon four of his children. 

The medical world is fully conversant with 
the wonderful work of Virchow, Langenbeck 
and his pupil, the great Billroth. "Billroth 
was for many years the surgical sun of Aus- 
tria-Hungary, and he it was who performed 
the first resection of the larnyx, and of the 
stomach." And widely known in America 
are Dr. Waterhouse, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Dr. 
George B. Wood, and Dr. John C. Dalton, 
whose text-book is to-day studied in many 
colleges. None the less noted is Dr. Austin 
Flint, of New York, as a teacher and author. 
"His text-book on Practice is the most popu- 
lar American work on the subject that has 
ever appeared, and is still in general use." 
Nor would we omit the name of the genial 
"Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," Dr. 



306 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose "Chambered 
Nautilus" will ever be a treasure of the human 
heart. For a third of a century he was pro- 
fessor of anatomy at Harvard. 

Dr. Ephraim McDowell, of Danville, Ken- 
tucky, threw lustre upon the profession in 
America by having performed the first "ra- 
tional and deliberate ovariotomy, in 1809." 
Names like those of S. D. Gross, J. Marion 
Sims, and D. Hays Agnew, will ever give a 
prominence to the medical profession in 
America equal to tiiat of any other country. 

The history of medicine in any country 
would be incomplete without a reference to 
the discovery of Dr. William T. G. Morton — 
viz. : the use of ether in surgery, first proved 
to the world in October, 1846. On his tomb 
in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston, is this 
self-explanatory inscription: 

"Inventor and revealer of anaesthetic in- 
halation, before whom in all time surgery was 
agony, and by whom pain in surgery was 
averted and annulled ; since whom science has 
controlled pain." 

The discovery of anti-sepsis is equally im- 
portant with that of anaesthesia. To Lord 
Lister is due this great honor, though his work 
was based upon the researches of Tyndall, 
Pasteur and Koch. Some antiseptic processes 
that would avail against putrefaction— in 
fact, an antiseptic system — had long been 
yearned for by the surgeons throughout the 
world. Lord Lister gave this system to the 
world, and upon its importance it is well here 
to quote Dr. Roswell Park : 

"The writer makes no apology here for 
having introduced two distinct chapters — one 
upon the history of antiseptic surgery, the 
other upon the history of anresthesia. First 
of all they are the two grandest medical dis- 
coveries of all time ; and, secondly, they are of 
Anglo-Saxon origin — the one British, the 



other American. To the introduction of an- 
iesthetics and antiseptics is due a complete rev- 
olution of earlier methods, complete reversal 
of mortuary statistics, and the complete relief 
of pain during surgical operations; in other 
words, to these two discoveries the human 
race owes more of the prolongation of life 
and relief of suffering than can ever be esti- 
n:ated or formulated in words. What an 
everlasting disgrace it is that, while to the 
great murderers of mankind, men like Napo- 
leon in modern times and his counterparts in 
all times, the world ever does honor, erects im- 
posing monuments and writes volumes of en- 
comiums and flattering histories, the men to 
whom the world is so vastly more indebted 
for all that pertains to life and comfort are 
scarcely ever mentioned, save in medical his- 
tory, while the world at large is even ignorant 
of their names. For this reason, if for none 
other, these chapters find an appropriate place 
in a work of this character." 

In the same class from the point of useful- 
ness to mankind may be placed the discovery 
in recent years of the great value of antitoxin 
by Prof. Von Behring, of Berlin, and the great 
work of Dr. Carl Schlatter, of Zurich, Switz- 
erland, who completed the earlier work of the 
great Billroth, by the successful removal, in 
i8q6, of the entire stomach from his patient, 
Anna Landis, a silk weaver of Zurich. 

THE MAYO BROTHERS 

Dr. William W. Mayo of Rochester, 
Minn., is the father of the two surgeons. 
He is 86 years old and very active. His sons 
grew up on a farm near the town and re- 
ceived a meager education but acquired a 
natural taste for the medical profession 
from their father. 

Through the Roman Catholic Sisters, Dr. 
W. W. Mayo persuaded the Mother Supe- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



307 



rior to build a liospital. Because of the skill 
of these surgeons and the conscientious use 
which they made of it, they soon established 
a reputation for St. Mary's Hospital. The 
death rate of the patients in this hospital 
was so low as to be incredible to eastern 
surgeons. Having increased numbers of 
operations and of such great variety of cases 
and opportunities to examine, diagnose and 
treat almost every kind of surgical ailments, 
the}' always sought to do a little better than 
before. Each day on their increasing num- 
ber of operations, therefore, they won the 
confidence of patients and surgeons alike. 
To the profession they have discovered 
their technical skill. The laity are satisfied 
in their calmness, assurance, thoroughness 
and simplicity in all things. They keep in 
condition for their work. 

Rochester, Minn., is a country town of 
about 4,000 inhabitants. The famous sur- 
geons of the world are visitors — come to 
visit these two country doctors ! One sees 
the work of the abdominal surgery, the 
gynecologist, the orthopedic surgeon, the 
aural specialist, the nose and throat special- 
ist, the eye specialist. There is a large hos- 
pital of about 160 beds where cases go for 
operation. 

In spite of the great demand prices 
charged are so reasonable that the poorest 
can obtain help there as low as $1.00 a day, 
including everj'thing. The Mayo Brothers 
do not grade their success by dollars and 
cents; their main motive at the bottom of 
all the rest is, with sincerity and singleness 
of purpose to do the best work and that 
only — they seek truth. 

The Mayos engage to help them as col- 
leagues the best men they can find — pa- 
thologists, electricians, clinicians, chemists, 
physiologists and laboratory experts, who 



work out and consider all details in connec- 
tion with the diagnosis of each patient. 
They do not seek to formulate theories, but 
to work in accordance with established facts 
and conditions, seeking only the truth and 
careful not to be led into error. As soon as 
a piece of tissue is obtained from a case 
under treatment, the pathologist furnishes 
the surgeon with the result of his micro- 
scopic observation and that is his guide. 
These surgeons are natural, earnest and not 
self-seeking — the secret of all success. It is 
the obliteration of self — the life that is lived 
for others. 

The medical profession in Fairfield County 
has always held a high rank. Its personnel 
shows to-day some of the most noted surgeons 
in Ohio, and a large number of the most suc- 
cessful practitioners. 

"doctors of the old school" 

We begin the long list of names of men 
who have practiced medicine in Fairfield Coun- 
ty, and of those who are practicing to-day, 
\vith a list of the grand old men — those who 
helped to bring order out of chaos, to bridge 
the stream and to fell the forest — to teach the 
laws of health and to keep people strong and 
well. 

They did their work nobly and well, and 
they deserve the honors the people of to-day 
so willingly bestowed upon them. 

MEDICAL HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

The beginnings of Medical History of Fair- 
field County start with the Medical Society 
of the Thirteenth District of Ohio. This 
Society was composed of physicians who 
practiced in a district which was composed 
of Fairfield County, parts of Licking County, 
Hocking County, and Perry County. "Agree- 
able to an act of the Legislature passed Feb. 



308 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



2y, 1824 to incorporate Medical Societies." 
Physicians and surgeons residing in the Thir- 
teenth District, convened on the 25th day of 
Marcli, 1824, at Lancaster, Ohio, for the pur- 
pose of organization. The physicians at that 
meeting were as follows : Doctors Allen, Mc- 
Neill, Clark, White, Pardee, Wait, Harris, 
Whipple, Minor, Kemper, Talbot and Shaug. 
The organization was effected and the follow- 
ing officers chosen by ballot: President, Dr. 
Allen ; vice president. Dr. McNeill ; secretary. 
Dr. White; treasurer, Dr. Clark; censors, 
Drs. McNeill, White, Pardee, Harris, and 
Clark. After the election of officers the so- 
ciety adjourned until the following day and 
in the interim its members banqueted at the 
Gottleib Steinman Tavern, a famous tavern 
of early Lancaster. The following day the 
by-laws governing the society were adopted. 
Some of the articles of these by-laws are very 
interesting reading to the medical man of to- 
day. Article second provided that it was the 
duty of the censors to examine candidates for 
the benefit of a license to practice medicine. 
Immediately after the adjournment of a 
meeting of the society, the censors would ex- 
amine the candidate for license. He was ex- 
amined in the "several branches of medical 
science" and if found "capable" was admitted 
to practice. ' 

Reuben Culver was the first licentiate of the 
society. Article 8 of the by-laws provided 
that the candidate for license must be 21 years 
of age and pay ten dollars into the treasury 
before the license was granted. The causes 
for expulsion of a member from the society 
were gross immoral conduct, penitentiary of- 
fences, malpractice, and habitual intemper- 
ance. 

The spal of the society was the square and 
the compass, and enclosed within this motto ; 
"The Medical Society of the Thirteenth Dis- 



trict of Ohio." This society was in existence 
from the date of its organization until 1840 
when interest lagged and its work ceased for 
a while at least. The Old Thirteenth District 
Society was one of the leading societies in the 
State and we find its members reading papers 
at gatherings of the Medical Profession in 
different parts of this state at that time. The 
Roll of Honor — men of this society from its 
early organization until 1840 — were such 
noted doctors as Drs. Allen, White, McNeill, 
Minor, Kreider, Hyde, Awl, Gohegan, Har- 
ris, Pardee, Whipple, Switland, Turner, 
Griggs, Culver, Powzade, Talbot and Shaug. 
These were men of the family physician type 
— a type which has almost passed away in 
these days of specialism. They did their work 
well and -never flinched where duty called 
them. Their patients honored them as they 
did their priest or minister. They were the 
men who fought the scourging epidemics of 
small-pox, black diphtheria, chills and fever 
and typhoid that were so prevalent at that 
time in this county. They did it the best they 
could with the means at their command. 
Their financial reward was insignificant but 
to know that they were victorious in their 
fight against these scourging epidemics was 
reward enough for them. It stamps them as 
men of honor and ability and showed their 
loyalty to the noble profession of which they 
were members. 

In the early fifties the medical fraternity 
was again aroused to action and did valiant 
service for a period of twenty years. The 
meetings of the society were irregular and 
held at various places through the county, 
sometimes at Pleasantville other times at 
Ruslnille but most frequently at Lancaster, O. 
During this period we have such leaders of 
the profession as Doctor George Boerstler. 
Sr., Dr. Paul Carpenter, Dr. Davis, Dr. David 



I 



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a09 



N. Kinsman, Dr. VVagenhals, Dr. Eftinger, Dr. 
Flowers and Dr. Lewis. Of this coterie of 
physicians Dr. George Boerstler Sr. was many 
times delegate to the state society and twice 
its honored president. It was during this pe- 
riod that the great cholera scare occurred in 
Fairfield County. To read the discussions of 
this dread disease by these able men is to know 
that they were men of great learning and 
knowledge. 

in the early '70's the Fairfield County So- 
ciety again took on new life and a great deal 
of scientific work was done. Here again we 
find men who are leaders in their profession 
working hard for the upbuilding of the society 
and the profession of the county. Some of 
this Old Guard are still on the firing line but 
the most of them are gone or retired from ac- 
tive business. The leading doctors of this pe- 
riod are Dr. George W. Boerstler Jr., Dr. J. 
H. Goss, Dr. G. A. Harmon, Dr. Nourse, Dr. 
George Courtright, Dr. J. T. Hufford, Dr. 
H. C. Brison, Dr. B. A. Thomas, Dr. Peter 
Hewetson, Dr. Lewis Jackson and Dr. 
Turner. Their place of meeting was the old 
market house on the public square. The last 
meeting was attended by only one member 
Dr. J. H. Goss, who was still willing to keep 
alive that spark of medical fraternalism that 
was burning very low at this time. 

The Fairfield Counj;y Medical Society of 
the present day was organized in June, 1902. 
Its organization is on the plan adopted by the 
American Medical Association, that is that 
the County Society is the unit of organiza- 
tion. It is a component part of the Ohio State 
Medical Association and also of the .Amer- 
ican Medical Association. Any member of 
the Fairfield County Medical Society in good 
standing is a member of the Ohio State Med- 
ical Association, and is likewise eligilile for 



membership in the American Medical Asso- 
ciation. 

The first president of the organization in 
1902, was Dr. J. H. Goss; the secretary was 
Dr. George O. Beery. The Fairfield County 
Medical Society of the present is a very active 
organization, since its organization in 1902 
it has endeavored to enlist all the eligible mem- 
bers of the profession of the county to be- 
come members. In this it has succeeded until 
at the present time nearly eighty per cent of 
the physicians of the county are members of 
this society. This society stands for every- 
thing that is progressive in the way of med- 
icine and surgery. It has fostered a spirit of 
fellowship and friendship among its members 
that can hardly be equaled in any other county 
of the state. The scientific work done by the 
members of this society is far above the aver- 
age, its programmes are interesting and well 
discussed by tiie members attending. Mem- 
bers of this society have read papers before 
the State Society. Men of national reputa- 
tion have appeared un the programme of this 
society. In 1905, the Fairfield County Medical 
Society 'entertained the Tenth District Medi- 
cal Association which is the largest district so- 
ciety in the State. Over two hundred mem- 
bers were present at that meeting and Dr. W. 
S. Samson of Lancaster, O., was chosen the 
president for the ensuing year. 

Our society has also develoi)ed the social 
side of its work and our annual outings at 
Buckeye Lake. Crystal Springs, and Mt. 
Pleasant have been the most pleasant inci- 
dents in the history of this society. At these 
gatherings physicians bring their wives and 
families and for the day forget their work and 
enjoy a good old fashioned holiday. 

The future of this society looks bright and 
we are now planning a camj^aign of work in 



310 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



which the public will be greatly interested. 
We are planning public meetings at least 
twice yearly when men of national reputation 
will discuss such topics as Tuberculosis, Vac- 
cination, Medical Inspection of Schools, 
Water Supply, The Milk Supply, Prevention 
of Blindness, and the organization of a Na- 
tional bureau of Health. The work of this 
society has been felt in the community and 
the health of the public has been so guarded 
that the census of 1910 ranked Lancaster the 
third city of the United States of its size as 
having the lowest death rate per thousand. 
Fairfield County is an ideal county in which 
to live and the Fairfield County Medical So- 
ciety is doing its part to guard the health of 
its citizens and prevent the ravage of infec- 
tious diseases, so that in the future epidemic 
of Typhoid, Small-pox, Diphtheria and Ma- 
laria will be impossible. In this brief medical 
history of Fairfield County it will be seen that 
from the early organization of the society in 
1824 until the present time there has been no 
disbanding of the organization. We are 
proud to say that with one exception the Fair- 
field County Medical Society is the oldest 
continuous medical organization in the State 
of Ohio. 

H. M. Hazelton, M. D. 

Dr. J. H. Goss — One of the most active, 
energetic and successful physicians and sur- 
geons Fairfield County ever produced was Dr. 
J. H. Goss. His name for more than a quar- 
ter of a century was a household word in Lan- 
caster and the county of Fairfield. But his 
name and fame did not end there. He was 
frequently called in consultation and to take 
charge of difficult cases in other counties. 
His was a familiar face at all medical associa- 
tions held in the county and at State medical 



meetings, before which bodies he frequently 
presented themes of the day. 

Dr. Goss was born in 1837 and graduated 
from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and 
Surgery in i860. In that year he began the 
practice of medicine in New Salem, Ohio. 
He entered military service as assistant sur- 
geon in 1863 and was honorably released 
May 16, 1865. Upon his return he resumed 
practice at Lancaster, where he continued to 
enjoy a very large share of medical patronage 
until 1909, when he was compelled by an ac- 
cident to retire from active practice. Return- 
ing from an urgent call, his carriage was 
struck by a street car and he was throw n out, 
sustaining a severe injury to his spine. 
Among the students who read medicine with 
Dr. Goss and afterwards became successful 
])ractitioners, were Dr. O. P. Driver, the tal- 
ented poet, who practiced in Basil and Bre- 
men; Dr. Millard Welsh, son of Supt. George 
W. Welsh, and Dr. J. M. Kells. 

Dr. Goss had a keen insight into human 
nature and a loving, kindly spirit. His char- 
ity work run up into thousands of dollars, yet 
he was glad to be of service to his fellow 
man. 

Dr. Goss worked hard all his life, knowing 
full well that the good things — the great 
things — of life are not to be had for the ask- 
ing. They come as a result of close study and 
intense application, and are often best learned 
in the school of adversity. The following 
lines from Holland's "Better Sweet" express 
in poetic numbers the object for which he 
lived and worked. 

"Thus is it over all the earth! 

That which we call the fairest. 
And prize for its surpassing worth. 

Is always rarest. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



311 



"Iron is heaped in mountain piles, 
And gluts the laggard forges; 

But gold flakes gleam in dim defiles 
And lonely gorges. 

"The snowy marble flecks the land 
With heaped and rounded ledges, 

But diamonds hide within the sand 
Their starry edges." 

Dr. George W. Boerstler came to Lancas- 
ter in the year 1835 from Hagerstown, Md. 
He was born at Funkstown, Md., in the year 
1792. He received a good education, his 
parents being anxious that he should enter 
the ministry of the Lutheran Church. His 
tastes were difi^erent, however, and he pre- 
vailed upon his father to permit him to study 
medicine; that being the profession of his 
father, he was not long in obtaining his con- 
sent. He therefore entered upon the study of 
medicine in his father's office. He was a dil- 
igent student and in the year 1820 graduated 
a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of 
Maryland, Baltimore. He married Elizabeth 
Sinks and settled at Boonsborough, Md., and 
practiced his profession. Later he moved to 
Hagerstown, Md. In the year 1835. with his 
daughter and son-in-law. Dr. Tom O. Ed- 
wards, he moved to Lancaster, Ohio. It was 
an opportune time, for Dr. Robt. McNeill, 
the most eminent physician of Lancaster, had 
just died, leaving a large practice. He form- 
ed the partnership with Dr. Edwards which 
continued for man}' years. The practice of 
Dr. McNeill rapidly fell into their hands and 
they made it their own. Their business in- 
creased rapidly and it was not long until the 
firm of Boerstler and Edwards was the most 
widely known of Lancaster. 

In the year 1838 his wife died, and in due 
time he married again. Miss Elizabeth Schur 
becoming his second wife. Dr. Boerstler was 



throughout his life a medical student, always 
watching the progress of his profession; and 
his professional brethren considered him an 
expert in the diagnosis of diseases. His repu- 
tation was that of a learned and experienced 
physician and he was always in demand when 
a consultation was necessary. Dr. Loving, a 
distinguished physician of Columbus, in a 
paper written after his death spoke of him as 
an able and learned physician and wise in 
counsel. As a citizen he was respected by all 
classes, and no one stood higher in the esti- 
mation of the public as an honorable, upright 
man than Dr. George W. Boerstler. He took 
great interest in political affairs and was a 
Whig as long as there was a Whig party. 
His office was the headquarters of the leaders 
of the Whig party in 1840 and they called it 
the "Coon Box." 

Dr. Boerstler was a pro-slavery man and 
did not endorse the anti-slavery tendencies of 
the Republican party, and in 1857 made Dem- 
ocratic speeches. In 1845 he made a patriotic 
address to the Fairfield County Militia, an- 
ticipating the Mexican War. In 1845 '^^ ^^'^s 
chief marshal of the day set apart for the 
funeral obsequies of General Andrew Jack- 
son. He made an address in German on the 
occasion of the reception to Kossuth in Cin- 
cinnati in 1852. Dr. Boerstler was a member 
of the Fairfield County Medical Society, of 
the Ohio State Medical Society, and in 1850 
became a member of the American Medical 
-Association. He died at his home in Lancas- 
ter, October, 1871. 

Dr. Tom O. Edwards was born in the State 
of Maryland and came with his father-in-law 
Dr. Boerstler, to Lancaster in the year 1835. 
He became a partner of Dr. Boerstler and en- 
tered upon a large and lucrative practice. He 
was a student of politics and as early as 1840 
was a stump speaker for the Whig party. He 



312 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



was a very popular man, social, polite, and en- 
tertaining, and few men, if any, were better 
known in Lancaster than Tom Edwards. He 
served two years in congress from this dis- 
trict in 1848 and 1849. He also was active 
and influential, more than usually so for a 
new member. After the close of his term in 
congress he was induced by a Boston Arm to 
take charge of a drug store to be established 
in Cincinnati. He accordingly moved his 
family to Cincinnati. He became quite prom- 
inent in local affairs, was elected to the city 
council and by the council made its president. 
He was also a professor in the Ohio Medical 
College. He did not remain in Cincinnati 
more than four or five years. He moved from 
there to Madison, Wisconsin, and from there 
t(j Dubuque, Iowa. In a few years he re- 
turned to Lancaster and entered again upon 
the practice of medicine. But old age began 
to tell upon him and he finally abandoned the 
practice and followed his son Thomas to 
Wheeling, W. Va., where he died a few years 
since. 

Dr. Edwards was a genial man and made 
friends, but he was not a successful liusiness 
man and died poor. He mafic an eft'ort to 
better his fortune Ijy going to Pike's Peak 
during the gold excitement, but it was barren 
of results. His old office on Main Street, 
which was in 1840 the rest)rt of his Whig 
cronies and other friends, was called the 
"Coon Box" and was as famous as was the of- 
fice of Dr. Wagenhals in t8rx3, which was also 
called the "Coon Box.'" 

Dr. Tom O. Edwards served in congress 
with ex-President John Ouincy Adams and 
.\l)raham Lincoln in 1848. He was present 
in the House when the ex-President was 
stricken with paralysis and he was tlie physi- 
cian who attended him until he died. Both he 



and Lincoln were members of the committee 
that escorted the body to Quincy, Mass. Dr. 
Edwards occupied a very respectable position 
in congress. He introduced a bill in the in- 
terest of pure drugs and this bill and his 
speech in support of it gave him some reputa- 
tion. .\t this period Dr. Edwards was a very 
popular Whig politician of Lancaster. He 
made good speeches, was wide awake and 
alert. He was a good con\ersationalist, well 
informed and floated upon the \\a\e of popu- 
lar favor. But politics brought him no money 
and ruined his professional prospects. 

Dr. Michael Eftinger was born in Lancas- 
ter, Ohio, Decem])er. 11, 1819. He was a son 
of Samuel and Mary Xoble Efiinger. His 
grandfather, Samuel Xoble, came from Mary- 
land, 181 1, and settled on a farm adjoining 
Tarlton, Ohio. His mother was a sister of 
Colonel John Noble. He attended tlie schools 
and the academy of Lancaster, and entered 
the Miami L'niversity and graduated with 
honor. He studied medicine in the office of 
Drs. Boerstlers and Edwards, leading physi- 
cians of Lancaster. He attended lectures and 
graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, 
at Philadelphia. Returning to Lancaster he 
opened an office and commenced the practice 
of medicine. He continued to practice for 
about 50 years, being a most successful prac- 
titioner and honorable and useful citizen. In 
1846 he was married to Miss Elmira Catlin, 
niece of Darius Tallmadge. He and General 
Sherman were friends and correspondents in 
their youth and their friendshij) continued 
through life. Jan. 5, 1890, he died after hav- 
ing been an in\alid for many years. 

Dr. F. L. Flowers was born on a farm in 
Harrison County, W. Va., March 17, 181 1. 
In early life his father moved to Maysviile. 
Kv. His earlv advantages were few but by 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



31 S 



improving his leisure hours he became a 
thoughtful, brainy man. In 1S30 he came to 
Ohio, went to New Lisbon antl studied med- 
icine with Dr. McCook, the father of the large 
family of fighting McCooks uf the Union 
army. Dr. Flowers attended medical lectures 
in 1836 and 18,^7, at the Ohio Aledical Col- 
lege in Cincinnati. In 1836 he began prac- 
tice in New Salem, then in a few years went 
to Bunns\ille, Rehoboth and New Lexingtim. 
While at New Le.xington he was a member of 
the Legislature for seven years. He sup- 
ported the Monroe bill for the establishment 
of the Reform School and he was the frientl 
of the school to the end of his life. In 1864 
he graduated from the Homeo])athic Medical 
College and in 1874 he came to Lancaster, 
where he had a successful practice until his 
death in 1895. He left many friends as a re- 
sult of his skill and attention in sickness. 

Dr. P. M. Wagenhals was born in Carroll 
County, Ohio, the son of Rev. John Wagen- 
hals. who was long the honored pastor of St. 
Peter's Lutheran Church. Lancaster. Dr. 
Wagenhals received his early education in the 
public .schools of Lancaster, afterwards 
studied medicine with Dr. Boerstler. He 
graduated from the University of Maryland. 
He was married to Susan Shaeffer and settled 
in Somerset and there he practiced until he re- 
moved to Lancaster in 1854. where he was a 
successful practitioner until about 1870. when 
he moved to Columbus, where he practiced 
his profession until his death. He was for a 
term of five years trustee of the Central T^u- 
natic .Asylum in Columbus and during that 
time the splendid structure, the pride of Ohio, 
was built. We doubt if any doctor ever left 
behind him more sincere friends and admirers 
than Dr. Wagenhals, or who at his death was 
more sincerely mourned. 



I-IST OF PHYSICIANS .VNIT SURGEONS OK 
K.MR FIELD COUNTY 

.X.Klinc, John H., Lancjvster, O., Hospital 
College of Medicine, Louisville, Ky., 1875. 

A.xline, Clark Ci., Eclectic .Med. Institute, 
1908, Lancaster. 

Alt, Charles Martin, Ualtimore. O., Starling 
Medical College, 1895. 

.\lford, Charles M., Lancaster O.. Univer- 
sity College of Medicine, Richmond, 1894. 

.\shton, H. C. Basil. O.. Starling .Medical 
College, 1906. 

.\tkin,son. V. P., Millersi)ort. O.. O. M. U.. 
[903. 

Baker, William Ivlsoii. Pleasantville. O., 
Starling Med. College, 1895. 

Barrow. Charles .\.. Carroll. Kentucky 
School of Medicine. 1893. 

Beery, George Ornian. Lancaster, O., 
Miami Medical College, 1891. 

Beerv, George W., Lancaster. O.. C. E. C. 

Berry, Reuben [-'.. Uuicaster. O., Beau- 
mont Hosjjital Medical 'College. St. I^uis. 
1888. 

Boetler. George W.. Lancaster. O., Med- 
ical College. Cleveland. O., 1867. 

Bone. Pinckney S.. Royalton, O. M. U., 
1903. 

Bounds. H. Lee. Lancaster. ().. O. M. L'.. 
1904. 

Bowman, Daniel Hunter. Starling Medical 

College, 191 1. • 

Bradford. A. A.. Bremen, O., L. P. 

Brown, Archie .\ckers. .Starling Medical 
College, 1909. 

Brown. H. A.. Carroll. O.. Starling Med- 
ical College. 1875. 

Brown. Carl Wilson. Starling Medical Col- 
lege. 1 9 10. 

Brison. H. C. Millersi)()rt. O.. Medical Col- 
lege of Ohio. 1874. 



314 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Chapman, Lee Jackson, Ohio Med. Uni- 
versity, 1896. 

Courtright, George S., Lithopolis, O., 
Medical College of Ohio, 1862. 

Courtright, Eugene, Columbus, O., Star- 
ling Medical College, 1884. 

Cromley, William Aaron, Amanda, O., 
Starling Medical College, 1888. 

Driver, O. P. (dec'd; see sketch Chap. VI, 
Bremen). 

Goss, Clarence W., Lancaster, O., Starling 
Medical College, 1889. 

Fishel, Charles R., Ohio Med. University, 
1906. 

Goss, John H., Lancaster, O., Cincinnati 
College of Medicine & Surgery, i860. 

Guthrie, Austin L., Medical College of 
Ohio, 1907. 

Harman, G€orge H., Lancaster, O., Med- 
ical College of Ohio, 1871. 

Hamilton, Charles Howard, Starling 
Medical College, 1908. 

Hazelton, Henson Marlowe, Lancaster, O., 
College of Physicians & Surgeons, Baltimore, 
Md., 1893. 

Hershberger, Joseph P., Lancaster, O., 
Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, 
1881. 

Hewetson, Peter, Amanda, legal practi- 
tioner. 

Hewetson, Joseph E., Amanda, Medical 
College of Ohio, 1896. 

Huddle, Geo. P., Stoutsville, O., Starling 
Medical College, 1888. 

Hunt, Frank O., N. W. Ohio Medical Col- 
lege, 1 89 1. 

Hufford, J. T., Clearport, Legal Practi- 
tioner, 1896. 

Kefauber, Charles Addison, Stoutsville, 
O., Western Reserve University, 1886. 

Kramer, Charles Holmes, Pickerington, O., 
Starling Medical College, 1905. 



Lantz, James M., Starling Medical College, 
1908. 

Lerch, Albert Verne, Pleasantville, O., 
Starling Medical College, 1892. 

Lewis, W. C, Legal practitioner of Medi- 
cine. 

Miller, Stephen A. D., Lancaster, O., Star- 
ling Medical College, 1886. 

McKenzie, Charles D., Cincinnati Col. of 
M. and S., 1896. 

Mondhank, R. Wesley, Lancaster, O., O. 
M. U., 1896. 

Park, Lovett E., Basil, O., Eclectic Med- 
ical Institute College, 1889. 

Plum, Henry R., Lancaster, O., Starling 
Medical College, 1898. 

Ranch, Ernest P., Lancaster, O., Starling 
Medical College, 1898. 

Reese, Charles E., Lancaster, O., Medical 
College of Ohio, 1885. 

Renshaw, Samuel (dec'd.), Sugar Grove; 
Starling Medical College, 1873. 

Roller, George W., Lancaster, O., Keokuk 
Medical College, 1891. 

Roller, Edward B., Lithopolis, O., Starling 
Medical College, 1905. 

Samson. Harvey M.. Lancaster, O., Balti- 
more Medical College, Baltimore, Md., 1893. 

Smith, Ralph H., Starling Medical College, 

1905- 

Silbaugh, John James, Lancaster, O., Ken- 
tucky School of Medicine, 1889. 

Sparks, Edward P., Basil, O., Ohio Med- 
ical University, 1898. 

Stukey, Frank, P., Lancaster, O., Ken- 
tucky School of Medicine, 1881. 

Strayer. F. P., Bremen, Starling Medical 
College, 1873. 

Taylor, Walter B., Pickerington, O.. O. M. 
U., 1902. 

Thomas, Benj. A. (dec'd.), Rushville, 
Starling Medical College, 1867. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



315 



Trout, Frances, Lancaster, O., Woman's 
Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1893. 

Young, O. R., West Rushville, O., Colum- 
bus Medical College, 1894. 

Walker, George W. W., Legal practitioner 
of Medicine. 

Wyker, Calvin H., Ohio Medical College, 
1909. 

Osteopaths 
Charles M. Larue, Lancaster; Dr. Baker, 

HISTORY OF DENTISTRY 

(By Dr. Artemas B. Gray.) 

As a distinct profession, dentistry has 
only developed during the past century. 
Prior to that period some of the operations 
were performed by the medical practitioner, 
or perhaps by some artisan who was pro- 
ficient in such operations. Some practition- 
ers now living can recollect that the opera- 
tion of extracting human teeth was per- 
formed by the barber or blacksmith. 

The Romans probably acquired their den- 
tal knowledge from the Etruscans, and the 
Etruscans and Greeks from the Egyptians. 
Specimens of dental work in the shape of 
natural teeth bound together with gold, or 
artificial teeth of ivory, bone, wood, or 
stone, attached to natural ones by means of 
cord, or gold, or silver bands, have been 
found in the jaws of mummies, which were 
probably buried five or six hundred years 
B. C. 

The use of porcelain as a material for arti- 
ficial teeth was first proposed by Fauchard 
in 1728; but the manufacture of porcelain 
teeth was first begun by the French about 
1774. Gold was the first metal used as a 
base for artificial teeth about 1789. Other 
metals which have been used as bases are 
silver, platinum, aluminum, tin and various 



alloys. Gutta percha as a base was intro- 
duced in England by Edwin Trusman about 
1851. Celluloid was the next material tried, 
but being more porous and less durable than 
vulcanite, it is seldom used at present. 
Porcelain and a combination of platinum 
and porcelain are used to a great extent. 
Cast aluminum bases in place of swedged 
ones are in very great favor. 

Modern bridge work or the insertion of 
artificial teeth by means of bands, springs or 
artificial crowns attached to the crowns or 
roots of the natural teeth is but a modifica- 
tion of methods pursued by the ancients 
many centuries before the Christian era. 
Gold shell crowns are used for the purpose 
of covering teeth too badly broken down to 
be amenable to the operation of filling. 
Those who do not care for the ornamenta- 
tion of gold crowns have porcelain crowns 
fastened to the natural root. 

Before the introduction of gold, lead foil 
was used as a material for filling. Tin, in 
the form of foil, has been used for filling 
teeth since 1783. In 1826, amalgams were 
introduced. An amalgam is a combination 
of one or more metals with mercury. The 
other plastics used at present include: 
Gutta percha, Hills' stopping, oxy-chloride 
of zinc, zinc phosphate, etc. Each of these 
cements has its definite uses and advan- 
tages, but all have the disadvantage of serv- 
ing only as temporary fillings. The filling 
of pulp canals in dentalized teeth was intro- 
duced by Maynard & Baker of Washington, 
D. C. 

One of the latest inventions in the art of 
dentistry is inlay work, either of porcelain, 
gold or similar materials, which are ce- 
mented into a tooth cavity in such form and 
shape as to fit it exactly. 

The teeth frequently become loosened 



316 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



from their attachments in consequence of 
local or constitutional disturbances, Ijut the 
treatment of this condition is still a some- 
what knotty problem. When due to local 
causes, such as deposits of tartar, the treat- 
ment is principally local and consists in first 
removing the deposits, getting the teeth as 
smooth as possible and then adopting 
proper therapeutic and prophylactic meas- 
ures. The constitutional cause, which is 
more often concerned, is the so-called gouty 
or rheumatic condition. 

Orthodontia, or the art of regulating or 
correcting malpositions of the teeth, has re- 
cently developed into a distinct specialty, 
although some attention has been given it 
by dentists ever since the latter part of the 
eighteenth century. 

Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, es- 
tablished in 1839, was the first institution of 
the kind in the world. It was the direct re- 
sult of an agitation to put dentists on a 
higher professional plane, and followed an 
unsuccessful attempt to found dental chairs 
in medical schools. About the time of the 
Revolutionary war. dentists came to the 
United States from England and France. 
Atkinson first recommended the mallet as 
aid to the filling of teeth with gold. Bonner 
invented the rubber dam. Wells discovered 
the application to dentistry of nitrous o.xide, 
commonly known as laughing gas. 

Lancaster has a long list of successful 
dentists, whose names follow : Dr. W. C. 
Graham, Dr. D. H. Miller, Dr. Lee H. 
O'Grady, Dr. C. W. Outcalt, Dr. M. Pal- 
meter, Dr. R. Ray Peters, Dr. C. E. Repass, 
Dr. S. M. Scott & Sons, Dr. W. M. Scott, Dr. 
J. C. Scott, Dr. W. E. Shadrack, Dr. J. C. 
Stover, Dr. F. T. Struckman. Dr. J. H. 
Stukey, Dr. T. R. Levan and Dr. T- T. Stukey. 



DR. HERVEY SCOTT 

Dr. Hervey Scott, Educator, Physician, 
Dental Surgeon, Historian. Dr. Hervey 
Scott was born near Old Town, Green County, 
Ohio, Jan. 30, 1809. He remained on the 
farm of his father until his seventeenth birth- 
day. From this time for a number of years he 
applied himself to improving his desired edu- 
cation and instructing children in the county 
schools, making his home in South Charles- 
ton, Ohio. 

When he was twenty-four years of age he 
commenced the study of medicine, attending 
the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and 
in 1836 he entered practice. This he con- 
tinued for three years when he turned his 
attention to dentistry, which profession he 
followed for almost fifty years. He located 
in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1838, where he resided 
until 1891. when he went to Toledo, Ohio, to 
live with his daughter, Mrs. Hutchinson. On 
the seventh day of November, 1830, he was 
married to Lydia Mitton, of South Charles- 
ton, who died childless on the 12th day of 
June, 1840. On the loth day of April, 1842, 
he was a second time married to Priscilla A. 
Crook of Lancaster, Ohio, who was the mother 
of his children. Her death occurred July 14, 
1873. His family consisted of six children, 
viz: Hervey, Mary E., Sarah M., John Clark, 
Charles and William. Two of these children, 
Mary E. and Charles, died in infancy. His 
son. Dr. J. Clark Scott, is a practicing dentist 
of Lancaster, with an experience of many 
years. He has two sons. Dr. W. M. Scott and 
Dr. S. M. Scott that are dentists, now located 
in Lancaster. Thus it will be seen that three 
generations have taken up dentistry as their 
chosen profession. Not frequently is this con- 
dition found. Dr. Hervey Scott's youngest 



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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



31: 



son, VV. D. Scott, is now a resident of Detroit, 
Mich. 

Dr. Scott manifested a decided liking for 
journalistic work and his many historical and 
pioneer sketches have attracted wide-spread 
attention. He was especially fond of recount- 
ing the incidents and events of years long gone 
by — pertaining to pioneer life. His fund of 
thrilling happenings during his youth and early 
manhood seemed almost inexhaustible. In 
1859 he bought the Lancaster Gazette and 
American Democrat, consolidating the two 
papers for the benefit of his son Hervey, who 
was a practical printer. 

"The History of Fairfield County," was a 
very meritorious production of Dr. Scott's 
and made its advent in 1876. Throughout it 
was \ery correct and highly appreciated by the 
people of the county. At the time of his death 
Dr. Scott was eighty-seven years of age. He 
possesser a wonderfully strong physical organ- 
ization, coming from a hardy race of people. 
His father was close to the century mark at 
the time of death. 

The death bed scene of Dr. Scott was cer- 
tainly the most beautiful. He spoke of death 
in a happy and cheerful frame of mind and as 
the parting words to those about him left his 
lips a smile came upon his face which lasted 
even unto death. His life was certainly an 
exemplary one. He was a close student of 
human nature and was the friend of every- 
body, identifying himself closely with the in- 
dividual and collective interests of Lancaster. 
One trait of his character, commented upon by 
all who knew him, was his deferential bearing 
to his elders and his sympathy and aid to the 
sick and unfortunate. He was widely known 
and the esteem and confidence he enjoyed was 
co-extensive with his acquaintance. 

The life of such a man as that of the ven- 



erable doctor is an object lesson for all to 
study with lasting benefit to themselves. 

THE PARK STREET HOSPITAL. 

The Park Street Hospital was organized in 
October, 1908. It has a capacity of ten 
patients. It has an operating room and mod- 
ern equipment. Its matron and chief nurse is 
Jennie Gravett. Its consulting surgeon is Dr. 
George Boerstler; consulting and operating 
surgeon. Dr. J. J. Silbaugh ; anaesthitist, Dr. 
H. R. Plum. The visiting physicians and as- 
sistants are : Doctors H. F. Mondhank, George 
O. Beery, A. L. Guthrie, H. M. Samson, H. M. 
Hazelton, and C. W. Goss. This is the only 
hospital in Fairfield County. Since its organi- 
zation many difficult and major surgical oper- 
ations have been done by its operating surgeon 
and with excellent results. The medical cases 
treated here have be'en many and with far bet- 
ter results than in private practice. 

THE LANCASTER MEDICAL RE.SEARCH CLUB. 

The Lancaster Medical Research Club was 
organized in 1908. Its first president was Dr. 
J. J. Silbaugh ; its first secretary. Dr. George 
Orman Beery. The club meets every Monday 
night at its club rooms in the Kirn building. 
The club is following the work outlined by 
.\merican Medical Association and will soon 
complete the fourth year of this work. Origi- 
nal research work is being done by the mem- 
bers of this club. Important clinical cases are 
brought before the society for diagnosis and 
discussion. 

The officers of the club for 1912 are: C. W. 
Goss, president: Dr. Ralph \V. Smith, secre- 
tary. 

Membership Roll — Doctors J. J. Silbaugh, 
Geo. O. Beery, A. L. Guthrie, R. W. Mond- 
hank, H. M. Hazelton, R. W. Smith, C. W. 
Goss, H. R. Plum, P. R. Bone. 



CHAPTER XIII 



RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT 



Sketches of the Various Churches and Religious Societies in Lancaster — The Lancaster Camp 
Meeting and Assembly — Rev. Geo. H. Leonard, D. D. — Tidlius Clinton O'Kane. 



First Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, Lan- 
caster, Ohio — At a session of the quarterly 
conference of the First Methodist Episco- 
pal church of Lancaster, Ohio, held October, 
9, 191 1, a resolution was passed authorizing 
the celebration of the one hundreth anniver- 
sary of the founding of Methodism in Lan- 
caster, the celebration to be held in the 
First Methodist Episcopal church during 
the year A. D., 19 12. A committee 
consisting of James T. Pickering, Joseph 
S. Sites and Amos Thomas was then 
appointed to co-operate with the pastor of 
the church. Rev. Charles Bertram Pyle in 
the preparation of a program for the oc- 
casion. 

With a desire to perpetuate the memory 
and the heroic deeds of the consecrated men 
of God who planted Methodism in this sec- 
tion of the country, the committee submit- 
ted, with the centennial program, a history 
of the founding and progress of Methodism 
in Lancaster, Ohio, from which we quote in 
part. 

The great Ordinance of 1787, guarantee- 
ing civil and religious liberty to the vast ter- 
ritory north of the Ohio river, was passed 
July 13, 1787. In that same year the Meth- 



odist Episcopal conference in session at 
Petersburg, Virginia, organized what was 
known as the Ohio Circuit, or district, cov- 
ering portions of Virginia and the country 
north of the Ohio river. At that conference 
two young men, Charles Conaway and 
George Callahan were admitted on trial and 
were assigned as the first preachers on the 
Ohio Circuit or district of which Joseph 
Cromwell was then made the Presiding 
Elder. They were followed on this Circuit 
by other heroic and consecrated men, as fol- 
lows, the names being given in the order of 
their appointment: Richard Pearson, John 
Todd, Thomas Carroll, Daniel Fidler, Wil- 
liam Mcl^nahan, Thomas Raymond, I. 
Lemford, L. Mathews, Daniel Hitt, Samuel 
Hitt, Andrew Nichols, John Seward, Na- 
thaniel B. Mills, Jacob Colbert and Jesse 
Stoneman. Jesse Stoneman served the 
Ohio Circuit in 1799 and was transferred to 
the "Muskingum and Hock-Hocking" circuit 
in 1800, when it was first organized. This 
territory remained in the Pittsbvirg district 
of the Baltimore Conference until 1804 
when it was transferred to the Western 
Conference and became a part of the Ohio 
district. 



318 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



319 



In 1799 there were two circuits in the 
Northwestern Territory. In 1800 there 
were three — Miami, Scioto, and "Musk- 
ingum and Hock-Hocking" circuits. On the 
latter. Rev. Jesse Stoneman, who afterward 
lived and died in Perry county, was preacher 
in charge. Rev. James Quinn, then a young 
man, was sent to assist Mr. Stoneman. By 
the labors of these indefatigable pioneers 
of Methodism, the circuit was greatly en- 
larged. The College Township, where 
Athens is now situated, was taken in and 
societies formed there. In the winter of 
this year Mr. Quinn ascended the Hock- 
Hocking from the College township to a 
settlement near where the city of Lancaster 
now stands, and found a few members of the 
church joined in a class by the advice of 
Edward Teal, an old class-leader of Balti- 
more county, Maryland, who was then pre- 
paring to move his family to this country. 

This was the first Methodist society 
formed in what is now Fairfield county. 
The following are the names composing the 
class: Edward Teal and wife, Jesse Spur- 
geon and wife, Ishmael Dew and wife, Nim- 
rod Bright and wife, and Elijah Spurgeon 
and wife. They met for worship at the cabin 
of Mr. Teal, some three miles east of Lan- 
caster, on Zane's trace. Mr. Quinn preached 
for them twice or thrice, and a small collection 
was taken up for him as they were not regularly 
in his circuit. 

Jesse Spurgeon and Nimrod Bright were 
licensed exhorters. The first quarterly 
meeting in this county was held at the house 
of Mr. John Murphy. Bishop Asbury was 
present, as also Rev. Daniel Hitt, a presid- 
ing elder of the Baltimore conference. 

From the most reliable information, the 
first society was formed in Lancaster in 181 2, 
and was composed of the following persons : 



Jacob D. Deitrick, Elizabeth Deitrick, Peter 
Reber, Sarah Reber, Christian Weaver, Eliza- 
beth Weaver, George Canode, Mary Canode 
and Thomas Orr and wife. It is be- 
lieved that a small class had been formed 
prior to this, but for some cause, now un- 
known, had lost its existence. The first 
church edifice was erected by the Methodist 
Society in Lancaster in 1816 or '17, prob- 
ably in 1817 as the deed for the lot on which 
the church was built was not executed and 
delivered until January 8, 1817. This lot 
was the generous gift of Emanuel Carpen- 
ter, Esq., and was deeded by him and his 
wife, Sally Carpenter to Daniel Arnold, 
Benjamin Smith, Peter Reber, Nimrod 
Bright, Jesse Springer, Jacob Claypool and 
James S. Collins, trustees of the Methodist 
church. 

Rev. James Quinn preached the first ser- 
mon therein, standing upon a carpenter's 
bench. In 1801, Rev. Joseph Chenworth 
was preacher in charge on the circuit, and 
the members numbered 366. Next year Na- 
thaniel B. Mills was preacher. In 1803 Rev. 
James Quinn reported the state of the coun- 
try and the wants of the people to the Balti- 
more Conference, and Rev. Asa Shinn was 
appointed to what was then called Hock- 
Hocking circuit. He extended it to a large 
four weeks' circuit, and raised fourteen or 
fifteen classes, and returned at the close of 
the year, one hundred members. 

The two succeeding years, Rev. James 
Quinn was preacher in charge; the latter 
year. Rev. Joseph Williams assisted him, 
and the membership was increased to 228. 

From this time to 181 1, Fairfield county 
and Lancaster were in Hock-Hocking cir- 
cuit. The preachers during this period 
were: John Meek, Joseph Hays. James Ax- 
ley. James King, Ralph Lotspiech, Isaac 



.320 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Ouiiin, Benjamin Lakin, John Johnson and 
John Manley. The meni1)ers had increased 
to 767. 

At tlie last session of the Western con- 
ference lield in Cincinnati, Oliio, October i. 
181 1, James B. Finley was admitted into full 
connection in the conference, and assigned 
to Fairfield circuit, Muskingum district, of 
which James Ouinn was then presiding 
elder. 

Fairfield Circuit extended from the town 
of Putman on the Muskingum river to ten 
miles west of Lancaster, and from the head 
water of the Licking to the falls of Hock- 
Hocking. 

When Rev. James B. Finlej' arrived on 
the circuit there were twenty-five appoint- 
ments, which he increased to thirty-eight 
during the year. During a portion of the 
year he was assisted by Isaac Ouinn and 
they made the rounds of this vast circuit 
. once a month. 

At the session of the general conference 
in May, 1812, the old Western Conference 
was discontinued and out of it came the 
Tennessee and Ohio Conferences. The first 
session of the Ohio conference was held at 
Chillicothe, Ohio, October 17. 1812, and 
with the convening of that conference. Rev. 
James B. Finley closed his important work 
on Fairfield circuit. 

In his autobiography, James B. Finley re- 
fers to Nimrod Bright and Jesse Spurgeon as 
two local preachers and Edward Teal. Wil- 
liam Hamilton and Benjamin Smith, as 
other devout men and prominent Metho- 
dists on the Fairfield circuit in that early 
day. 

It is worthy of mention that after one 
hundred years of Methodism in Lancaster 
there are still in the old First Church in 
this city, members who are descendants of 



the consecrated men of that early time. 
Mrs. Carrie Rising, widow of the late Philip 
Rising, being a niece of James B. Finley and 
Mrs. Ida Bellerman, Miss Libbie Wel)b and 
Mrs. Geo. O. Beery being direct descend- 
ants of both Ximrod Bright and Jesse Spur- 
geon. 

From 181 1 to 1830, Methodism had so 
spread that several circuits were formed, 
and this part of the work was called F^air- 
field circuit. The preachers on Fairfield 
circuit in this time were: Francis Travis, 
lames B. Finley. assisted by Isaac Ouinn, 
William Landon, Archibald McElroy, 
Charles Waddle, Michael Ellis, James 
Ouinn, James McMahon, Sadosa Bacon. 
Peter Stephens, Abner Goff, Henry Mat- 
thews, Charles Thorn, William Stephens, 
Zara Coston, James Gilruth, Thomas A. 
^lorris, Joseph Carper, Isaac C. Hunter, 
Homer J. Clark, Leroy Swormsted, James 
Laws, Gilbert Blue. Jacob Young, Cornelius 
Springer, Zachariah Connell, Henry C. 
h^ernandes and Samuel Hamilton. The 
number of members at the close of this 
period was 1,276. From 1830 to 1839, Lan- 
caster and the surrounding country was 
formed into a half-station. The preachers 
during this period were : Zachariah Connell, 
William Young, John F"erree. Edward D. 
Roe, William H. Lawder, Levi White, W. 
r. Snow, John J. Bruce, Charles ^^^ Swain, 
William T. Hand, Charles R. Baldwin, John 
Reed and Charles R. Lovell. The second 
church edifice was erected in i838-'9, and 
dedicated by Rev. J. M. Trimble. There 
were at this time in Lancaster circuit 919 
members. 

In 1840, Lancaster was made a station, 
and the following ministers have been ap- 
pointed as pastors : Henry Baker, William 
R. Anderson, William P. Strickland. R. S. 



AND REPRESENTATIVK CITIZENS 



821 



Foster, M. Dustin. (iran\ille Moody, Will- 
iam H. Sutherland, Moses Smith, .\ncel 
Brooks, N. Westerman, J. M. Jameson. 
Ezra M. Boring. J. H. Creighton. William 
Porter, C. E. Felton. C. A. Vananda. Thos. 
H. I'liillips and L. Taft. From tlie pastor- 
ate of Rev. L. Taft in i8()8 to the present time 
the following ministers have served the 
First M. E. church. Lancaster. Uhio: B. N. 
Spahr. two years ; 1". R. Taylor, three years ; 
Joseph N. Creighton. one year; T. W. Stan- 
ley, three years; J. T. Miller, three years, 
1877, 1878, i879-"8o; O. J. Nave, two years; 
\\". P. McLaughlin, three years; J. M. Weir, 
two years; J. T. Miller, a second pastorate 
of three years; John W. Dillon, five years; 
W . L. Slut/c. two years; Charles C. Elison. 
ten years; H. B. Lewis, three years, and C. 
B. Pyie. the present pastor, who is serving 
liis second year. 

The following are the presiding elders 
v\'ho have presided over the district of which 
Lancaster and Fairfield county have formed 
a part, in the order of time as they have 
served: Daniel Hitt, Thornton I'^leming, 
William Burk, John Sale, James Quinn, 
David \'oung, Jacob Young, Charles Wad- 
dle. Leroy Swormsted. Augustus Eddy. 
John Ferree, Joseph M. Trimble. David 
Whitcomb, Robert O. Spencer, John W. 
Clark, Zachariah Connell, John Stewart, D. 
D. Mather, John W. White, B. N. Spahr, J. 
M. Trimble, W. T. Harvey, T. H. Hall, T. 
W. Stanley, S. A. Keen, A. C. Kelley, W. 
H. Lewis, W. L. Slutz. W. D. Cherrington 
and J. C. Arbuckle. 

The second Methodist church, built on the 
same lot where the first one stood, was a 
commodious building, and continued to be 
used as a house of worship by the First M. 
K. church until September 8. 1907, when the 
last regular service was held therein. This 



church pru|jerty including the pipe organ, 
was sold to the Masonic bodies of Lancas- 
ter, and converted into one of the most 
beautiful Masonic temples in Ohio. 

'i"he site for the present church edifice on 
the corner of High and Wheeling streets, 
was purchased from Miss Nellie C. Stutson 
and by her deeded to John A. Heim, John T. 
Busby, brederick C. W hiley, Jesse P. Out- 
calt. William Davidson, Joseph S. Sites, 
Charles C. Pickering, Henry B. Peters and 
Henry C. Drinkle. trustees of the Methodi.st 
Episcopal church at Lancaster. O.. Ai)ril i. 
1904. 

.\t the beginning of the building of the 
jM-esent church the quarterly conference ap- 
])ointed a building committee consisting of 
William M. Leiby, Horatio G. Trout, 
Joseph S. Sites, Henry B. Peters and James 
T. Pickering. Richards, McCarthy & Bul- 
ford. architects of Columl)us, Ohio, were 
employed to prepare the plans and specifica- 
tions for the new edifice and superintend its 
construction. The i)eautiful building itself 
stands as a sufficient testimonial to the 
ability and efiiciency of all who had to do 
with its construction and adornment. 

The cornerstone of the new church was 
laid October 10. .\. 1)., 1905, by Dr. Herbert 
Welch, president of the Ohio Wesleyan 
university. The church was dedicated Sep- 
tember 15. .\. D.. 1907. by Dr. Thomas C. 
Iliff of Denver. Colorado, who preached the 
first sermon on the day of dedication. The 
lot and church together cost $80,000.00. 

The whole building enterprise was the 
culmination of a ten-years' pastorate by 
Rev. Charles C. Elson, whose indefatigable 
labors in that behalf, made possilile the con- 
smnption of the great work. 

The new church has greatly prospered 
under the efficient ministries of Rev. Harry 



322 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



B. Lewis, who served the first three years 
in the new church and Rev. Charles Bert- 
ram Pyle, the present minister. 

Officers of the church — Rev. J. C. 
Arbuckle, district superintendent; Rev. 
Charles Bertram Pyle, minister; Rev. J. W. 
Ricketts, local preacher. 

Stewards — H. G. Trout, William M. 
Leiby, James T. Pickering, E. Burgess, 
George M. Bell, Charles F. Fricker, George 
P. Rising, John E. Miller, Robert Whiley, 

C. G. Amendt, Amos S. Thomas, James A. 
Skinner, R. A. Gifford, Homer E. Elder, J. 
W. Deffenbaugh, James S. Reed, C. E. 
Ruble, J. L. Burnett, Dr. R. W. Mondhank. 

Trustees — Joseph S. Sites, Chas. C. Pick- 
ering, H. C. Drinkle, John A. Heim, H. B. 
Peters, A. A. Dannison, D. P. Dickson, \V. 
H. Radebaugh, D. F. Smith. James T. 
Pickering, treasurer; H. B. Smith, financial 
secretary. 

Class Leaders— H. T. Rockey, W. A. 
Murphy. William E. Repass, president Ep- 
worth League; Mrs. J. L. Denny, president 
Ladies' Aid Society; L. E. Eyman, presi- 
dent Methodist Brotherhood; Mrs. C. T. 
Moore, president Woman's Foreign Mis- 
sionary Society; Mrs. L. E. Eyman, presi- 
dent Woman's Home Missionary Society ; 
Miss Emily Gifford, president Young 
Ladies' Missionary Society; Miss Helen 
Towson, director King's Heralds; Mrs. 
Brunella Miesse, organist; Samuel R. 
Gaines, chorister. 

Officers of Sunday School— W. H. 
Radebaugh, superintendent; Laurence D. 
Thomas J. W. Deffenbaugh, assistant superin- 
tendents; Burns Schryver, secretary; Wm. 
E. Repass, assistant secretary; E. L. Du- 
maree, treasurer; Ellsworth Pickering, Rus- 
sell Ash, librarians ; Azariah Gray, chor- 



ister; Miss Helen Towson, organist; Miss 
Mary Harris, statistical secretary. 

Mrs. C. T. Moore, superintendent pri- 
mary department. 

First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, 
Ohio. — At a meeting of the session and trus- 
tees of this church, June i6, 1905, it was de- 
cided to celebrate their centennial October 20, 
21 and 22, 1905. The committee to prepare 
for this celebration was Messrs. John K. 
Henry, S. J. Wolfe, C. T. McCoy, Geo. M. 
Hickle. Rev. John Gurley, the pastor in 
charge, was requested to prepare a history of 
the church from its organization to the pres- 
ent time. The facts in this sketch are from 
that history. 

The call to Rev. John Wright was signed by 
representatives of the united congregations of 
Hocking and Rush Creek on March 15, 1805, 
and the call was accepted October 15, 1805. 
There were twenty-five charter members; they 
came from Pennsylvania, Virginia and some 
directly from Scotland and Ireland. At a 
meeting held November 24, 1819, it was re- 
solved to be incorporated under the name of 
"The Congregation of Lancaster." By a spe- 
cial act of the legislature, February 4, 1836, it 
was incorporated as the "First Presbyterian 
Church of Lancaster." 

The services were held in cabins until the 
completion of the first court house which they 
occupied as a meeting place for sixteen years. 
The first edifice built in 1823 was a modest 
brick structure (one story high), the second 
brick building in Lancaster. It cost $1,600 
and the trustees shrewdly stipulated that the 
contractors were to collect $1,200 from the 
subscribers. 

Nine years after the completon of the first 
church it was sold to the school board and the 
congregation built a second church in 1834. 



ft 
c 





AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



325 



It was a two-story building and a very hand- 
some structure for that day. There was a 
gallery extending around three sides. This 
church was used for si.xty-si.x years. In 1890 
the congregation decided to build a new church 
on the same lot with auditorium and Sabbath 
school room on the same floor. The cost of 
the new church was $13,600. The church was 
first occupied Thanksgiving day, 1892, but ow- 
ing to the panic of 1893, the indebtedness was 
not entirely liquidated until January 14, 1900, 
when the church was dedicated free of debt. 

This is the list of faithful pastors who have 
served this church: John Wright, 1805-1836; 
William Cox, 1836-1850; John M. Lourie, 
1850-1856; Robert C. balbraith, 1857-1862; 
A. T. Fullerton, stated supply, 1862; 
J. M. Drake, stated supply, 1862; George H. 
Fullerton, 1862-1864; Edward P. Swift, stated 
supply, 1864; James A. Worden, stated sup- 
ply, 1865; Eben Muse, stated supply, 1865- 
1866; George H. Webster, 1866-1867; Horace 
S. Snodgrass, 1 868-1 871 ; Joseph R. Boyd, 
1872-1885; E. B. Andrews, stated supply, 
1885; Thomas S. Huggart, 1886-1889; Will- 
iam McMillan, 1889-1892; John Gourley, 
1892-1907; Rev. Gelvin, 1907-1909; Hugh 
Leith, 1909 — . 

St. Mary's Catholic Church, at Lancaster, 
Ohio, has an old and interesting history, 
which is interwoven with the early settlement 
of Fairfield county, and is closely associated 
with names which have become illustrious, not 
only in the annals of the state of Ohio, but in 
those of the nation. It is only necessary to 
mention such names as Ewing and Sherman, 
zealous Catholics, to prove the statement. 

The Dominican Fathers erected the first 
church, a frame structure, at what is now Lan- 
caster, Ohio, in 1820. It was situated near the 
canal, on Chestnut street, the lot having been 
donated by Thomas Fricker. Prior to this, re- 



ligious services had been held, there having 
been many Catholic settlers even as early as 
1800, in which year the pioneer of the Ewing 
family, Hugh Boyle Ewing, took up his home 
m what, in 1790 had been an Indian settlement 
of one hundred wigwams. In 1800, however, 
Ebenezer Zane, a settler of 1797, laid out the 
present town and its natural beauty and prom- 
ising future soon attracted seekers for a home. 
The Irish race was well represented and these 
worthy people immediately set about establish- 
ing church relations. The old records show 
that the first Mass was celebrated in 181 7, by 
Rev. Edward Fenwick, a Dominican Father, 
who was afterward appointed the first bishop 
of Cincinnati. 

The priests of the Dominican Order had 
charge of the church until October, 1839, 
when Rev. Joshua M. Young was appointed 
first resident pastor. Being a man of great 
energy, it was not long before he had work 
undertaken looking to the building of a new 
church edifice, and this was completed by 1841, 
a substantial brick structure arising on the cor- 
ner of High and Chestnut streets, which was 
later used as a parochial school. Father Young 
remained in charge until February, 1854, and 
was sulisecpiently appointed first bishop of 
Erie, Pennsylvania. He was succeeded at 
Lancaster by Rev. Henry Lange, who soon 
found a rapidly increasing congregation with 
inadequate accommodations for them. Like 
so many other zealous and untiring young 
priests, he chafed under the disadvantage that 
thus confronted the parish and very soon had 
work started for the building of a larger 
church, with other improvements. Fortu- 
nately there were wealthy members in his con- 
gregation, who, in spite of their personal losses 
on account of the Civil war then in progress, 
came to his aid, and a suitable and beautiful 
church building was finally completed, its lo- 



:J26 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



cation being on High street. Tiie stately edi- 
tice was consecrated by .Archbishop Purcell on 
June 5, 1864, the only note of sadness, in the 
midst of the rejoicings being that Father 
J^ange liad not lived to take part in tliese cere- 
monies, his death having occurred in the pre- 
vious spring. St. Mary's at that time was con- 
ceded to be by far the most attractive church 
edifice at Lancaster and even now compares 
favorably with other structures on the exte- 
rior, while its interior far surpasses the beauty 
of any other building. 

In August, 1864, F'ather Bernard Evers 
took charge of St. Mary's and several other 
temporary pastors administered prior to 1865, 
when Rev. Regan took charge, who, in 1867, 
was succeeded by Rev. F\ J. Rudolph. From 
then until 1884, the pastors were: Father 
Louis DeCailly, h'ather X. E. Pilger, and Rev. 
J. B. Schmitt, all of whom earnestly laliored 
in the interests of the parish. In .\ugust, 
1884, Father I'ilger took charge and remained 
until his death, in 1905. In January, 1906, 
Re\-. J. B. Mattingly, of Logan, Ohio, was 
chosen by the Rt. Rev. Bishop, to succeed 
Father Pilger, and he assumed his pastoral du- 
ties at St. Mary's in the following month. 

While St. Alary's is the only Catholic church 
at Lancaster, in its various avenues of useful- 
ness it is in close touch with modern demands. 
It numbers many of its members in benevolent, 
patriotic and purely church organizations, 
while probably no church has better or more 
numerous or more safe social advantages to 
offer to its congregation than has St. Mary's. 
On July 2, 1905. a council of the Knights of 
Columbus was organized at St. Mary's, Lan- 
caster, and among other prospering organiza- 
tions under its aegis are : the Holy Name So- 
ciety, the Ladies' Auxiliary, the Catholic 
Knights of Ohio, the Knights of St. John and 
the St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. In both 



temporal and spiritual things, St. Mary's has 
accomplished much and under the earnest di- 
rection of its present pastor is still advancing. 
Being a man of work and attainments, of cour- 
age, faith and hope, he sets no limit to what St. 
Mary's may become to this section in the fu- 
ture. 

St. John's Episcopal Church. — As early as 
1835. there being a number of Episcopal fami- 
lies among the early settlers of Lancaster, a 
churdi organization was effected called the 
Episcopal parish of St. John. The first rector 
was Ke\'. Sherlock A. Bronson. In 1847 ^^^ 
lot at the corner of Broad and Wheeling 
streets was purchased and by the efforts of a 
band of church women and such honored sons 
of Lancaster as Henry Stanbery, John T. 
Brasee, Daniel Sifford, John Reber, Daniel 
Kutz and William T. Creed. Rev. .\lva Ouinn 
was pastor. After seven years — September 
_'(), 1852 — Bishop Mcllvaine dedicated the 
church, and as the church record states, "It 
was beautifully finished and furnished, and ac- 
cording to the Bishops' requirements, out of 
debt." The following rectors have served this 
congregation : Revs. Strong, Bishop, Risser, 
Boutet, Gray, Lathrop, Simpson, Brittain, 
Scott, Gorrell, Cartwell, Colton, Burnett, Rip- 
pey, Hills, Pearson, Rambo, McCutcheon and 
J. .\. Miller. 

l<"irst English Lutheran Church. — Prior to 
1843 there was but one Lutheran church in 
Lancaster (St. Peter's) and both English and 
(iermans occupied the same church, having 
alternate services until 1846, when the church 
burned. At this time the English members 
sold their interest to the Germans and bought a 
•site on the east side of Columbus street, be- 
tween Wheeling and Mulberry streets. In 
[846 they built a brick church there. In 1892 
this church was enlarged and very greatly im- 
proved. The following pastors have served 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



327 



this congregation — Revs. McCrow, Shaeffer, 
Waddel, Kizer, Hamilton, Reinmund, Sprec- 
ker, Kneisley, Steck, Helnig, Hough, Haider- 
man, Morris, Schindler, Richardson and Bow- 
ers. 

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church. — 
This is one of Lancaster's earliest churches. 
The precise date is not known, as the records 
were burned in 1846. Previous to 1810 the 
first society was formed by Rev. Steck and he 
was pastor till 1829; Rev. John VVagenhals 
filled the pulpit until 1845 ; he was followed by 
Revs. Burcher, Hart, Speilman and Mechling. 

Rev. Mechling was a power not only in his 
church but in the community at large. He 
found a congregation of one hundred and fifty, 
nearly all speaking German. The few English 
speaking Lutherans felt that they were en- 
titled to a part of the services in English and 
Rev. Mechling insisted that half the services 
be German and half English. His congrega- 
tion increased to eight hundred, notwithstand- 
ing removals. In 1880 the present church was 
erected and it is a beautiful church. "The 
chancel is a close copy of Thorwaldsen at 
Copenhagen, the statues, Christ and the Apos- 
tles, being life-size, while the pulpit and font 
are works of art, and the windows of stained 
glass throw a halo on the entire interior, mak- 
ing it a most delightful place, restful, com- 
forting and instructive. The grand bell of 
three thousand pounds, added in recent years, 
can be heard for miles around. This church 
has a remarkable history, has done much for 
Lancaster and for many other communities to 
which have gone out the sons and daughters 
of Old St. Peter's. Rev. E. F. Ritter is pas- 
tor of this church (191 2). 

Emanuel Lutheran Church. — The organiza- 
tion of this church took place in 1849 by the 
withdrawel of twelve members from St. 
Peter's church. These twelve desired that the 



services be held entirely in the German lan- 
guage and called their society "First German 
Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg 
Confession." F. W. Richman was their first 
pastor. He was followed by J. P. Calb, F. 
W. Faclinger, J. S. Daib, M. Merz, J. Neith- 
amer, E. J. Frederick, J. Slocuni, C. A. Frank, 
E. Kailer, C. A. Frank, C. F. Boesch, C. 
Dreyer and Dr. C. A. Kaumeyer, who is the 
present pastor. The church has about three 
hundred communicants, but a larger number 
of adherents and members of the congrega- 
tion, and also a flourishing Sunday school. 

Trinity Evangelical Church. — About 1869 
there was a section of Berne township in 
which there was no church or Sunday school, 
and in that year there was a successful Sun- 
day school organized, with J. Gravett as super- 
intendent in a schoolhouse on what is now 
South Cherry street. In 1870 Rev. Schwartz 
and Rev. J. A. Hensel arranged for preaching 
services of the Evangelical denomination and 
in less than a year the interest in this com- 
munity was so great that the schoolhouse 
would no longer accommodate the people. 
Rev. A. Leohner succeeded Rev. Schwartz 
and in 1872 a church was l)uilt on East Main 
street. The pastors since 1872 have been Rev. 
Orwig. Rev. Schwartz (re-appointed), Shupe, 
Cochlin, Spiller, Hensel, Rife, Mohn, Sher- 
rick, Wengard, McCauley, Beery and Harry 
L. Zachman, pastor in 1912. 

Grace Reformed Church. — Of the many in- 
teresting church edifices of Lancaster, Grace 
Reformed church is the oldest, having been 
begun in 1845 and finished in 1853. This 
church was organized as early as 1818, with 
twenty members and Rev. George Wise as 
pastor. The first church was occupied from 
1832 till 1845. Rev. G. B. Mechling was pas- 
tor in 1861, and this remarkable fact bespoke 
of the patriotism of Grace Reformed church. 



328 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Every official member of the church enlisted 
for the war, and but for the women services 
must have been entirely discontinued. The 
pastor removing to Butler county, they asked 
the aid of the Classes and as a mission church 
Grace was served three years by Rev. Milton 
Hockman and Rev. J. I. Swander. No history 
of this church should be written without a 
mention of the loyalty, perseverence and de- 
termination of Mesdames Geisy, Hood and 
Crutchey, through whose influence church 
work at Grace Reformed was carried on dur- 
ing this interim. Rev. Strousner and Rev. 
Hale followed and during this time this 
church received its present name, having been 
known up to this time as St. John's. The fol- 
lowing pastors have served since Rev. Hale : 
Revs. Spangler, Kendig, Scott Hershey, 
Smith, Shullenberger, Derr, Snepp and the 
present pastor. Rev. Wallace W. Foust. 

United Brethern Church. — "After several 
unsuccessful attempts to establish this church 
in 1897, Rev. M. Hart opened a Sabbath 
school in the Baptist Church on Columbus 
street. The school continued during the sum- 
mer marked by a splendid growth. On No- 
vember 28, 1897, Rev. M. Hart and Rev. J. 
W. Miles, organized a United Brethren Class 
with 26 charter members. In 1899 Rev. L. J. 
Hopper was stationed here as pastor for one 
year." 

Rev. M. Hart followed Hopper as pastor 
and during his pastorate of three years a new 
brick church was erected on northeast cor- 
ner of Broad street and King avenue at a cost 
of about $6,000. 

Unfortunately, the building was poorly 
constructed and soon spread apart and threat- 
ened to fall in. But the congregation felt un- 
able to build again, and continued to use the 
building through the pastorate of Hart. Rev. 
W. H. Wright served the church two years; 



Rev. J. B. Bovey, three years. The present 
pastor, Rev. C. C. Allton, took charge of the 
work September 13, 1909. About December 
20th following, the old building was con- 
denmed as unsafe by State Inspectors of Pub- 
lic Buildings. This was a testing time for a 
small class of poor people who had just fin- 
ished paying for their property on September 
I, 1909. But they rallied heroically and after 
many meetings of the official Board and Quar- 
terly Conference the present $35,000 "Mills 
Memorial Church'' in memory of Bishop J. S. 
Mills, D. D., was constructed. 

That Lancaster will prove an advantageous 
place for a good United Brethren Church is 
shown by the presence of eighteen churches of 
this denomination within a radius of two miles 
from the city. Many of them were es- 
tablished by other generations and have been 
maintained continuously. Now the members 
are moving toward Lancaster and the sons 
and daughters are leaving the country so 
eventually the country churches will decrease 
and the city church increase. 

Maple Street Evangelical Church. — This 
society was organized in April, 1894, and that 
year built a beautiful church on North Maple 
street. Rev. W. S. Harpster was the first pas- 
tor and he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. 
Sherrick, in October, 1895. The church was 
in a flourishing condition during these years 
and soon was out of debt. The congregation 
numbers about 300. In 1899, Rev. N. W. 
Sayer, was the pastor. The present pastor is 
Rev. L. R. Herbst. 

African Methodist Episcopal Church. — As 
early as 1825 there was found in Lancaster a 
religious society of colored people under 
the title of "African Methodist Episcopal 
Church." Soon after the organization of this 
society a church was built on land donated for 
that purpose by Emanuel Carpenter. Regular 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



329 



services were held in the original church until 
i860, when a much better edifice was erected 
on the same site. This denomination has 
thriven and accomplished a great work for the 
colored people of Lancaster. The following 
are the names of their ministers : Revs. Grey, 
Thomas Lawrence, Samuel J. Clingman, La- 
fayette Davis, C. H. Peters, George Coleman, 
Thomas Lawrence, Daniel Winlon, John P. 
Woodson, Jeremiah Bowman, John Tibbs, 
Edward Esse, John W. Jones, Arthur Howell, 
Isaac Dillen, Roberts, Daniel Cooper, R. Ho- 
gan, William Arnold, Gibbons, Lewis, Mitchel, 
Davidson. Clark, R. Morris, R. M. Wilson, P. 
Toliver and the present pastor. Rev. J. B. 
Harewood. 

Sketches of churches outside Lancaster may 
be found in the chapter on Townships and 
Towns. 

LANCASTER CAMP MEETING AND ASSEMBLY 

The camp meeting movement is a product 
of the nineteenth century, Presbyterian by 
birth, Methodist by adoption. It took its rise 
in 1799 and the growth of the idea during the 
past century has been phenomenal. 

The Ohio Conference organized a camp 
meeting and its first meeting was held in 1873 
two miles south of Logan on the Hocking 
River. The original idea of the camp meeting 
was that it be itinerant. In two years the 
camp was moved to the farm of John Mason, 
six miles north of Lancaster. In 1879, six 
years after its organization, the Ohio Confer- 
ence camp meeting moved to its new quarters 
and it has occupied the same grounds for over 
30 years. The new location was two miles 
west of Lancaster on the Hocking Valley Rail- 
road. At first the grounds were leased for ten 
years. The present plan is to lease for a 
period of 14 years. The grounds will be re- 
leased in 191 5. 



This camp meeting was a religious center 
and most wonderful revivals have been wit- 
nessed there. The influential and powerful 
preachers of the church have been heard there. 
Bishop Thoburn spoke there on many occa- 
sions, the first time in 1876. Bishops Taylor, 
McCabe, Leonard and Dr. C. H. Payne were 
often present. The camp meeting was run 
with \arialjle success, sometimes heavily in 
debt, occasionally with a surplus. At last the 
question of open gates on Sunday came up and 
in 1895 the Ohio Conference turned it over to 
a Board of Trustees and it is under such a 
control now. There are 400 lots on the 
grounds which are leased every 14 years for 
from $15 to $40 according to location. The 
leasees own their cottages but not the grounds. 
Mr. J. M. Kennard was local manager for 20 
years and upon his death he was succeeded by 
J. W. Bishop. Mr. W. M. Wikoff was busi- 
ness manager from 1899- 1903. 

The most famous men of the country have 
been heard from the platform at the Lancas- 
ter Camp Ground during the assembly which 
has been conducted for the last 15 years — 
Bryan, McKinley, Dolliver, Champ Clark, 
Gunsaulus, Sam Jones, Sam Small, Geo. R. 
Stuart, Bishops Fowler and Taylor. 

The present Board of Trustees is : Religious 
Superintendent, Dr. Herbert Scott; Board of 
Trustees — Rev. Swinehart, Athens; Rev. J. 
W. Mongey, Waverly; H. G. Trout, Lancas- 
ter; E. C. Dilger. Carroll; A. B. Vereblome, 
Circleville; Dr. Blem Vales, Circleville; Dr. 
J. F. Grinds, Columbus; Rev. T. E. White. 
Columbus: Re\-. J. H. Fry, Columbus; F. W. 
Dunlap, Circleville; E. J. Chenowith, Colum- 
bus: R. M. Fontaine, Somerset; J. W. Weller; 
W. H. Radebaugh. Lancaster; W. H. Lanning, 
Logan. The business manager is J. W. 
Bishop of Carroll. 

Rev. George H. Leonard, D. D., pastor of 



330 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Trinity Reformed church, Basil, Ohio, was 
horn in Basil, Ohio, Sept. 20, 1837. He at- 
tended the public schools until about twelve 
years of age, and then became a student at 
Heidelberg Academy, at Tarlton, Ohio, then 
under the charge of Rev. S. S. Rickley. When 
sixteen years of age he entered Heidelberg 
College, Tiffin, Ohio, and completed the class- 
ical course in 1859, and two years later gradu- 
ated from the Theological Seminary. He 
was pastor of the Highland Charge for more 
tlian three years, and began serving the Basil 
Charge on January 15, 1865, continuing as 
pastor until January t, 1894. During his pas- 
torate in the Basil cliarge, 367 persons were 
received into membership in the two congre- 
gations. In 1894 he retired from the active 
ministry and spent the remainder of his days 
in well-earned rest and fpiiet reflection at the 
l)eautiful old homestead in Basil. 

Rev. George H. Leonard was the son of 
Rev. Henry Leonard, known far and wide as 
"The Fisherman." The young man had l)een 
carefully trained and educated for his life 
work. No man ever entered upon his task 
with greater zeal and fervor, and for almost 
tiiirty years he faithfully served his people and 
the entire comnumity. He baptized their chil- 
dren, married their young people and burietl 
tiieir (lead. But this was not all ; he taught the 
beauty of Christian character and the strength 
of truth by word and example. Alive to the 
i|uestions of the day, he called distinguished 
men to his pulpit to discuss questions of history 
■ind present-day prol)lems. The Editor has a 
most distinct recollection of hearing, when a 
lad of fourteen, the Chaplain of the Ohio Peni- 
tentiary lecture in Rev. Leonard's church upon 
the beautiful character of Esther. The scene 
described by the eloquent speaker, when the 
carriers, mounte<l upon horses shod with sil- 
\er slices, hastened away to the ends of the 



kingdom; when Mordecai was vindicated and 
Haaman hung — will never be forgotten. The 
lecture was the first the lad had heard and it 
influenced to a certain e.xtent the current of his 
life. Thus did Rev. Leonard extend the bless- 
ings of his pure Christian life and his untir- 
ing labors to others. He lived for those whom 
he served and died full of honors and with the 
benediction of his fellow men. 

T. c. o'k.vne 

Tullius Clinton O'Kane was born 
at Pickerington, Fairfield County, Ohio, 
March 10, 1830, and died at his home in 
Delaware, Ohio, where he sang himself into 
the lives of those with whom he came in 
contact. He was not only a singer but a 
song writer of note. Few men of his gen- 
eration so touched with music the un- 
counted multitudes as did Prof. T. C. 
O'Kane. Wherever his inspiring hymns 
have been sung, there are those who grieve 
at his death. Wider than his native land, 
wider than Methodism, has been the range 
of his influence. Thousands who never 
heard his name and who will never know it 
till tiiey greet him on the other shore, are 
nearer the Great Master whom he served, 
Ijecause of the music that he wrote and 
sang. A great multitude are indebted to 
him for a deeper sympathy and a larger 
hope, awakened by his inspiring song. T. 
C. O'Kane belonged to a class of singers and 
composers who had the honor of revolution- 
izing Sabbath School Alusic and his publica- 
tions found their way into more than one 
hundred languages and dialects. Some of 
his liest known songs are: "Home over 
There." "Gathering One by One," "Behold 
a Stranger at the Door," "Hold the Light 
up Higher," "We'll not Give up the Bible," 
"Jesus the Rock of .A.ges," "Sweet Resting 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



331 



By and Bye." At liis funeral, a quartet 
sang his two most noted songs — "Home 
over There" and "Gathering One by One." 
Prof. O'Kane for many years had a book 
store in Delaware. He left two sons, Ed- 
ward, who lives at Delaware; and William, 
of Springfield. Mr. Henry O'Kane of Col- 
umbus is a brother of T. C. O'Kane. 

Sixth Avenue M. E. Church. — The be- 
ginning of the Sixth Avenue Methodist 
Episcopal Church was a Sunday-school 
started by Mr. J. D. La Ross, which first 
met in C. P. Cole glass factory in 1895. Mr. 
La Ross was first superintendent. The 



church was organized Oct. 24, 1901. The 
building was erected on the west side of 
Garfield Ave. and Sixth Ave. The first 
pastor, the Rev. L. B. Bradrich, was ap- 
pointed in September, 1901. The church 
was dedicated May 17, 1903. The pastors 
have been: L. B. Bradrick, 1901-1905; W. 
H. Mitchell, Jr., 1905-1907; Andrew Plumb, 
1907-1909; H. F. Deweese and R. A. Blair, 
1909-1910; Pascal A. Bright, 1910. The 
church has about 250 members. 

The Church of Christ, pastor 1912, Rev. 
E. J. Willis. 



CHAPTER XIV 



EDUCATION 



The Lancaster Public Schools — The Old Greenfield Academy — Fail-field Union Academy — 
Craiufis Institute — Boys' Industrial School — Joliii C. Hitc — Tozvnship and Village Teach- 
ers of Fairfield County — Boxwell — Patterson Graduates — Then and Nozv {Log and Red 
Schoolhouse Times) — The Old Spelling School — Enoch Berry Seitz — Geo. W. Welsh — 
IV. C. Brashares — Lancaster Literary Society — Historians of Fairfield County. 



THE LANCASTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

Lancaster has always been a town of the 
conservative type. New ideas are usually 
adopted here either after their usefulness has 
been demonstrated in other places or the de- 
mand for them thoroughly established by an 
expression of her own people. Advancement 
ineducational lines has been therefore slow. 
A school system has evolved and is still in pro- 
cess of evolution. 

Eighteen years before the opening of a pub- 
lic school in Lancaster, Miss Flora Buttler, 
afterwards Mrs. King, opened a school to meet 
the demands which were at that early time be- 
ing given expression. She and many others 
conducted successful private schools until the 
public schools were opened in 1830. Even af- 
ter that time private institutions were success- 
ful here because of the limited opportunities 
offered in the public schools. John and Will- 
iam Tecumseh Sherman were educated in 
Howe's Academy. This fact and that of the 
education of many others caused a public de- 
mand for greater efficiency in the public 



schools. This perpetual dissatisfaction 
coupled with a determination to prove all 
things before their adoption is the character- 
istic most noticeable in the evolution of Lan- 
caster institutions. With this in mind one can 
understand the very slow, but steady and 
permanent advancement of a system of 
schools which even today is a little behind 
others, but proud in the secure possession of 
all the best things of the past decades and 
making preparation to harvest for future use 
those that are now ripening. 

In 1830 Samuel Carpenter, George Sander- 
son and Henry Dooble were elected the first 
school trustees of Lancaster. They employed 
William Charles at a yearly salary of $120 
and Louis A. Blaire at a salary of $80 to take 
charge of two schools, which, until 1838, seem 
to have been the only educational provision 
for a growing population of about 3,000 peo- 
ple. In that year and at later dates facilities 
were enlarged and improved until in the year 
1848 the citizens led by H. C. Whitman, W. 
Slade, Rev. Wm. Cox, P. Bope and others se- 
cured in the state legislature the passage of 



332 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



333 



"an act for the support and better regulation 
of the schools in the town of Lancaster, 
Ohio." 

As a result of this act an eight-room build- 
ing at the corner of Broad and Mulberry 
streets was completed in 1849 and John S. 
Whitwell employed at a salary of $600 to act 
as superintendent. According to the terms of 
the law the "benefits and burdens" of this 
school were not shared by those living south 
of Main street, that district having decided by 
a vote to have no share in these. The next 
year however they voted to become a part of 
the system and John Reber, John D. Martin, 
Robert Reed, John L. Tuthill, Jacob Hite and 
J. C. Rainey were elected the first Board of 
Education for the town. Mr. Whitwell con- 
tinued as superintendent and after the erec- 
tion of a good building for the South district, 
thoroughly organized the schools of the city. 
He resigned in 185 1. 

John Williams succeeded to the superin- 
tendency. This man was considered one of 
the great scholars of his time and in Scott's 
History of Fairfield County, one may find the 
following, "There are probably more men to- 
day who owe their success in their professions 
and other vocations in life to having been pu- 
pils of Dr. Williams, than to any one man liv- 
ing." 

Mr. Williams was succeeded in 1856 by W. 
Nelson and he in 1857 by Rev. Daniel Risser. 
In 1861 E. E. Fish became superintendent and 
in 1862 Rev. J. F. Reinmund whose adminis- 
tration was one of the remarkable ones of this 
history. By his industry, honesty, scholarship, 
kindness of Heart and enthusiasm he won the 
love and respect of all teachers and pupils as 
well as that of the Board of Education and 
citizenship at large. 

In 1868 Mr. Reinmund was succeeded by 
W. R. Spooner and in 1869 George W. Welsh, 



the high tone of whose character, scholarship 
and executive ability calls for an extended ar- 
ticle elsewhere in this volume, was promoted 
from a teaching position to the superintend- 
ency. Mr. Welsh resigned in 1879 and S. S. 
Knabenshue succeeded. After three years 
Mr. Welsh returned to his old position, but 
owing to ill health remained but one year and 
was followed by J. J. Burns who after a single 
year of service became Superintendent of the 
schools of Dayton and made room again for 
Mr. Welsh, who then returned for a term of 
eight years. 

Elijah Burgess became superintendent in 
1892 and Mr. Welsh again in 1899. Early in 
1903 it was found impossible for Mr. Welsh 
to continue and the high school principal, H. 
A. Cassidy, was chosen to succeed him. Mr. 
Cassidy served until 191 1 when S. H. Layton 
was elected for a term of two years. 

At the earliest organization of the schools 
of the city, a high school was provided for. 
The first superintendent, Mr. Whitwell. was 
also the first high school principal. He has 
been succeeded through the years by the fol- 
lowing: 1 85 1, Miss Wilcox, 1857, Miss Has- 
kins, 1858, Miss Jane M. Becket. 1868, Miss 
Holbrook, 1869, C. Wilkinson, 1870, C. T. 
M'Coy, 1873, Marcellus Manley, 1874, G. F. 
Moore, Sept., 1875, J. F. Halderman, Oct., 
1875, E. B. Cartmell, 1877, Miss Ella Trout, 
1878, R. W. Dennis, 1879, Elijah Burgess, 
1881, Samuel Major, 1882, W. A. Beatey, 
1890, I. N. Keyser, 1892, M. Smith, 1893, J. 
A. Long, 1895, C. M. Humes, 1897, T. C. 
Coates, 1902. H. A. Cassidy, 1903, Seth 
Hayes, 1906, W. C. Brashares. 

At the present time the members of the 
Board of Education are, W. H. Radebaugh, 
President. R. M. Miller, Clerk, L. E. Ey-man, 
L. G. Silbaugh, R. M. Giesey, G. M. Bell and 
G. E. Miller. S. H. Layton is in charge as su- 



334 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



perintendent, W. C. Brashares is principal of 
the high school, C. L. Berry of the North 
school, Elizabeth O'Grady of the East, W. A. 
Kline of the South, C. J. Hughes of the West 
and Bess M. Outcault of the new school in 
South Lancaster. 

The teachers of the High school are : Anna 
Davidson, History, L. D. Thomas, German 
and Music, Mabel Curtiss, Latin, Lacie Per- 
fect, English, J. F. Hawk, Science, H. J. Scar- 
borough. Mathematics, Prudentia Streter, 
Latin and German, Bertha Hunt, English, D. 
M. Hickson, U. S. History and Science. 

The teachers at the North school are, Emma 
Cook, Seventh grade, Frances Kiger, Seventh, 
Mary Shutt, Sixth, India Wolfe, Sixth, Maria 
Shaeffer, Fifth, Katherine Rippman, Fifth, 
Inez Kraemer, Fourth, Sophia Geiser, 
Fourth, Annabel Kellerman, Third, Bess 
Hammack, Third, Marie Smith, Second, 
Mary Mechling, Second, F"loranelle Fosler, 
First, Ethel Ward, First, and Helen Benner, 
First. 

At the East school are. May Bulger, Sev- 
enth grade, Martha Cowden, Sixth, Cora 
Love, Fifth, Lena Bowers, Fourth, Ethel 
Blackman, Fourth. Agnes North, Third, Anne 
Miller, Third, Ethel M'Cutcheon, Second, 
Myrtle Tidd, Second, Fannie Miller, First, 
Estelle Danison, First. 

At the South school are, Alice Malone, Sev- 
enth grade, Flora Welsh, Sixth, Valeria Mar- 
.tin, Sixth, Gertrude Middleton, Fifth, Ida 
Keller, Fifth, Hazel Beck, Fourth, Florence 
Myers, Third, Mabel Stahl, Third, Lettie Bell. 
Second, Emilie M'Kown, First, Eleanor Pat- 
ridge, First. 

At the West school are, Sallie Junkerman, 
Sixth grade, Iva Wells, Fifth, Martha Peet, 
Fourth, Alice Mock, Third, Evelyn Mack. Sec- 
ond, Grace Shue, Second, Bertha Kirn, First, 
Elsie Smith, First. 



Aileen Townsley is the assistant of Miss 
Outcault at the new school in South Lancas- 
ter, Hazel Robuck, has charge of the music of 
all the eight grades, C. P. Zaner of the pen- 
manship and Vera Webb and Florence Bow- 
ers serve as cadet teachers. 

W. S. Eckert is superintendent of buildings 
and has charge of the following janitors : 
South Lancaster, Fred Young, West, Lizzie 
Cooper, East, Chris Rudolph, South, James 
Powers, North, Thomas Reap, High School. 
James Bloom. Without mention of Mr. 
Bloom no account of the Lancaster schools 
would be complete. He is known by every 
citizen and his reputation for keeping his 
building spotlessly clean is state wide. He has 
probably attracted more attention than any 
other employee of the present Board of Edu- 
cation. 

The schools of Lancaster have never taken 
backward steps; they are therefore today in 
better condition than ever before. The com- 
mon schools have grown to exceed the wildest 
guess of those in charge but a few years ago. 
Seven buildings are now in use and all are 
taxed to the extent of their capacity. In one 
quarter of the city. West Lancaster, a three- 
room building was sufficient for school needs 
six years ago. An eight-room building has 
since been erected, the intention being to aban- 
don the old. Now the new building is inade- 
quate and both the old and new are in daily 
use. The broader meaning of the value of 
school property is being recognized and school 
property in out-of-school hours is being de- 
voted to the public good. The beautiful parks 
in which the schools are located are being 
given over to the public for recreation. Boys 
are playing upon the beautiful lawns and un- 
der the green trees with the protection of a 
public officer. People young and old are being 
drawn to these beauty spots and thus thou- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



335 



sands of dollars invested in school property 
are made to give returns much greater than 
formerly. 

The character of the teachers employed in 
these schools is better with each succeeding 
year. All of the later additions have been re- 
cruited from the Nonnal schools. These 
bring with them the latest ideas which soon 
permeate the whole school, it being frequently 
found that the older teachers can make better 
use of these than can those who introduce 
them. All are required by regular and sys- 
tematic reading of the newest and best things 
in school literature and by attendance at state 
and county teachers' meetings to keep up to 
date and to meet the ever growing require- 
ments of an increasingly intelligent citizen- 
ship. The teachers of this day are recognizing 
the real needs that can be supplied by the pub- 
lic schools. They are therefore teaching the 
things that are useful in socializing the chil- 
dren under their direction. Purely formal 
studies are being abandoned and time given to 
the things seen to be directly useful in the fu- 
ture life of the individual. There are now en- 
rolled in these schools 1,965 pupils. 

The high school moved into the beautiful 
new building Feb. 2.2, 1906. This building is 
one of the best in Ohio. A fine gymnasium. 
an auditorium to seat 550 people, first-class 
laboratories for Physics and Chemistry, lava- 
tories of best marble finish, elegant offices, and 
large halls are added to the usual equipment 
of well furnished rooms for study and recita- 
tion. All of these are being used to make of 
the high school a true social center. The proj)- 
erty cost $70,000. It was designed to meet 
the needs of the school for a long time, but 
after only six years it is feared that it will 
soon be inadequate. More room even now 
would mean larger and better results. 

The teachers of the high school must have 



as a minimum preparation graduation from a 
reputable college. Constant vigilance is ex- 
acted of them in order that all that is newest 
and best in education may come under their 
observation. They are therefore coming to 
look upon the school as a business institution 
in which the young life of the community is 
to be given the best possible chance. Little or 
no attention is given to unimportant formal- 
ities and teachers and pupils are learning to 
work together in the .same way as do foremen 
and workers in any other institution. 

The pupils in 191 1- 19 12 number 315. This 
shows a growth of more than one hundred per 
cent in the last six years. This is remarkable 
in the face of the fact that Lancaster offers so 
many attractions in a business way to young 
people. A boy of high school age can earn in 
one of the shoe factories nearly $400 per year 
and there is employment of this kind for 1,000 
people. 

The high school building is being made as 
attractive as possible in order to compete with 
the attractions offered by these factories. 
Pupils are encouraged to give expression to 
whatever talents they possess. This year one 
group gave Tennyson's "The Princess," an- 
other a meritorious operetta "Sylvia," an- 
other a Dickens carnival in which moving pic- 
tures of David Copperfield were used. The 
school has one of the best high school 
choruses in Ohio and an excellent 15-piece or- 
chestra. Basket ball and foot ball hold the 
interest of pupils and attract citizens to the 
school. All of these are kept subordinate to 
the real work of the school and as a proof that 
real interest in education is fastered here we 
point to the fact that fifty-nine graduates of 
this school are this year enrolled in the various 
colleges seeking an extension of the advan- 
tages they have here learned to prize. That 
the work of the school is done according to 



336 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



generally accepted standards is proved by the 
fact that it is ranked by the State Commis- 
sioner of Common Schools as of the first 
grade, that the school holds membership in 
the North Central Association of Colleges 
and Secondary Schools and that such institu- 
tions as Case School of Applied Sciences, 
Vassar and others accept its graduates with- 
out examination. 

Fifty-four classes have graduated from this 
school. In these there is a total of 745 mem- 
bers. In the first class, that of 1853, Mattie 
Connel, later Mrs. Sykes of Jamestown, New 
York, was the only member. In 1863 there 
were three graduates, in 1873 ten, in 1883 
nine, in 1893 twenty-two, in 1903 twenty; the 
class of 191 1 numbered forty-two and the class 
of 1912 has now a membership of forty-five. 

As to the work of the Superintendent and 
Board of Education, it should be said that 
there is excellent cooperation and that all are 
keenly alive to the needs of the schools and 
are working constantly to guarantee that these 
are met. This year free text books have been 
provided, and liberal appropriations have been 
made in many other lines. The youth of Lan- 
caster are being well taken care of in an edu- 
cational way, thanks to a hearty cooperation 
among school officers, teachers, pupils and par- 
ents. 

[Note. — The above excellent sketch is from 
the pen of Prin. W. C. Brashares, of the Lan- 
caster High School. — Editor.] 

THE OLD GREENFIELD ACADEMY 

From an Article by Prof. J. T. Thompson 
in "Ohio School Journal." George W. 
Tooil, Editor. 

About four miles north of Lancaster, on 
what is known as the Millersport and In- 
firmary road, is a small humble dwelling and 
a few acres of land, which was the home of 



one of the most distinguishel scholars and 
educators that have made Ohio renowned 
for its men of superior intellectuality. The 
writer refers to Dr. John Williams, author 
of the "Parsers' Manual," published by the 
American Book Company, and the "Read- 
able and Topical Lexicon," published by A. 
S. Barnes & Co. His greatest work rests in 
silence, as it was not quite ready for the 
printer, when the Messenger called him 
from his labors. The work unpublished is 
an elaborate exposition of arithmetical, al- 
gel:)raic and geometrical problems. The de- 
sign of the work was original with Dr. Wil- 
liams, there being nothing like it in Europe 
or America. 

The profundity of Dr. Williams' knowl- 
edge of foreign languages and his famil- 
iarity with the philosophies and govern- 
ments of the people of the world was com- 
prehensible to only a few people. Thus he 
was a prince and a mighty man in intellect. 
No one could look upon that massive brow, 
encircled with silver locks of age, without 
feelings of the most profound reverence for 
that seemingly endless fountain of the pur- 
est intellectuality. His intellect was as deep 
as it was mighty. No mere digging or 
scraping on the surface could satisfy him. 
He would find and be sure of the founda- 
tions of all conditions of things before he 
could be induced to build upon them. Every 
subject, whether it pertained to literature, 
to science, or to religion, had to be sub- 
mitted to the crucible of his deep logical 
thinking. The grand result was evident to 
all who may have been favored with his ac- 
quaintance and had the intelligence to ap- 
preciate his thorough scholarship. 

Dr. John Williams was the son of an hon- 
est, plain farmer, whose circumstances and 
labors prevented him from fully discerning 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



337 



the hidden forces in the mind of a boy with 
an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It 
was only by the most self-denying and stu- 
pendous efforts on the part of himself that 
he succeeded in becoming the eminent 
scholar and the distinguished teacher that he 
was. No outward stimulus, no admonitions, 
entreaties and urgings of parents or teachers 
were ever needed by him or ever accorded 
to him to encourage him in the pursuit of 
knowledge. He had a great mind, and its 
cry for substantial food could not be re- 
pressed. 

He was born in the state of Maryland, on 
the 8th of October, 1901. When but a small 
boy his books were his constant and favorite 
companions. After spending the day at 
hard work on the farm, he would spend the 
evenings in study. His parents, thinking 
that he ought to retire at the same time as 
themselves, were in the habit, not only of 
extinguishing the light, but of removing the 
candle, so as to compel him to go to his bed. 
But at such times he was wont to cause the 
firelight to serve him in the pursuit of his 
studies. He also carried his book in his 
pocket and when he went to rest he sat 
down to read. 

He taught his first school at the early age 
of fifteen, before which time he had never 
been in any school as a student. He earned 
by this means money enough to sustain him 
for a term of six months in an humble acad- 
emy in western Pennsylvania, known as 
the Canonsburg Academy. This was the 
highest school and the only school he ever 
had the privilege of attending. 

About the year 1817 the Williams family 
came to Ohio and finally settled in Morgan 
county, not far from Zanesville. Here the 
young man continued his education, teach- 
ing school at intervals to provide himself 



with the necessities of life, and to support 
himself while studying medicine with Dr. 
Moore, a physician in Putnam and a grad- 
uate of Miami University. Here he made 
substantial progress in the Latin and the 
Greek languages. He attended a course of 
medical lectures in Cincinnati, after which 
he began the practice of medicine. For a 
short time prior to this he had read law with 
Judge Hanna, of McConnelsville, Ohio. 

He was a marvel of learning by the time 
he was twenty-five years old, and becoming 
known as a man of more than ordinary at- 
tainments, he was honored by having con- 
ferred upon him the degre of Master of 
Arts, as a well merited honor, by the Uni- 
versity at Athens, Ohio. Although he was 
never permitted to enter a college or uni- 
versity, he thoroughly mastered all the de- 
partments of learning usually taught in 
them. He was a thorough linguist in both 
ancient and modern languages, a successful 
student of the natural sciences, an able his- 
torian, an extraordinary mathematician, 
and, by his strength of intellect and persist- 
ent effort, he became a most profound 
scholar in almost every department of 
learning. 

He peacefully and quietly ceased from his 
labors August 10, 1879, at the advanced age 
of seventy-eight years. The remains of this 
distinguished man rest in Fairfield county, 
in what is known, as the German Lutheran 
and German Presbyterian Cemetery. 

Fellow teachers and students of Ohio, 
have we not in this prince of intellectuality, 
this self-taught man, an encouraging and ad- 
vantageous lesson? True, we cannot all be 
Dr. John Williamses, but his eventful life is 
certainly helpful to any thoughtful student. 
Permit me space to give you a hint of the 
instruction which he received in mathe- 



338 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



matics. While he was a member of Canons- 
burg Academy, he became on a time some- 
what concerned about the correct solution 
of a problem in algebra. He had never as 
yet gone to any person or teacher for as- 
sistance. The hour for recitation was near- 
ing. His face flushed with shame to solicit 
aid, l)ut feeling that he must be master of 
his work before recitation, he finally went 
to the instructor and asked for a word of ex- 
planation. The instructor looked at the 
problem for a moment and then said : "John, 
that is a difificult problem, and as the class 
will not recite till this afternoon, I will work 
it out for you at the noon hour." John 
thanked his teacher and went to his seat a 
happy boy. But he solved the problem him- 
self long before he returned to the school 
from his dinner, and thus saved the head 
master in mathematics the trouble. This is 
all the information he ever personally re- 
ceived from any instructor in mathematics. 
He mastered all departments of learning in 
the same persistent way. 

Dr. Williams was the founder of the old 
Greenfield Academy in Fairfield county, 
where many distinguished scholars and re- 
nowned people of Ohio were educated. A 
few of these may be cited: — Judge Silas H. 
Wright, Hon. John M. Connell, Judge John 
S. Brasee, Newton Schleigh, Hon. Thomas 
Ewing of New York City, the late Theodore 
Tallmadge of Washington, D. C, Mrs. 
Samuel A. Baxter, mother of Samuel A. 
Baxter Jr., banker of Lima, Ohio, Dr. 
Joseph Freeman, Prof. A. Freed, the nat- 
uralist and distinguished scholar of Fair- 
field county, George W. Beery, a distin- 
guished lawyer of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, 
O. E. P. Ashbrook, of Windsor, 111., Rev. 
Isaac Bookwalter, Dr. David Carpenter of 
Chicago, Oliver P. Chaney, Dr. M. P. 



W'agenhals, a distinguished physician of 
Lancaster and later of Columbus, and last, 
but not least, Mrs. Elizabeth Freeman 
Thompson, a superior grammarian and 
mathematician, the lamented wife of the 
writer. 

It has often been said and is generally be- 
lieved that James G. Blaine, the great 
statesman, and John Sherman, the nation's 
financier, were students of Dr. John Wil- 
liams, but this is a mistake ; they were not. 
The writer heard Judge Silas H. Wright 
say, on one occasion, that he personally knew 
and could name an active judge on the bench 
in almost every state in the union, who had 
been students of Dr. John Williams. Truly 
this man of mighty intellect and great attain- 
ments would have done honor to any seat of 
learning.* 

"His life was gentle, and the elements 

.So mixed in him that nature might stand up 

And say to all the world, this was a man." 

Catalogue of students in attendance within 
the year ending Aug. 15th, 1845. 

William Famulener, Pickaway county. 

David Henderson, Guernsey county. 

Philip Welshimer, Amanda township, 
F"airfield county. 

Newton Schleigh, Amanda township, Fair- 
field county. 

Oliver Baughman, Hocking township. 

A. W. Wilson, Greenfield township. 

De L. F. Julien, Greenfield township. 

Silas H. Wright, Hocking county. 

O. Benton, Pickaway county. 

J. J. Stailey, Pleasant township. 

Geo. L. Sites, Fairfield county. 

Samuel Hooker, Greenfield. 



• One of the first texts used by me in college was 
"The Parser's Manual." and later, "The Readable Lex- 
icon" by Dr. Williams. The power of these texts In- 
spired new life and strength in every student. Dr. 
Williams was a benefactor of his race. — The Editor. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



341 



William Salter, Portsmouth. 

John McFarland, Greenfield. 

Jared Hooker, Greenfield. 

Dixon A. Harrison, Royalton. 

Levi Williamson, Royalton. 

N. H. Sprague, Winchester. 

Wm. Carnes, Amanda. 

Alfred Williams, Greenfield. 

Samuel Hedges, Pickaway county. 

John Sweitzer, Greenfield. 

William Hutton, Greenfield. 

John Hutton, Greenfield. 

William Hedges. Pickaway county. 

Richard Hooker, Greenfield. 

La Fayette Tallman, Pickaway. 

James M. Wichizer, Greenfield. 

Jonathan Flattery, Greenfield. 

Samuel Roland, Greenfield. 

Wm. Daugherty, Pickaway. 

De Witt C. Atwater, Circleville. 

John Cherry, Walnut township. 

Edward Talbott, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Benjamin Talbott, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Samuel R. Graybill. Greenfield. 

(jeo. Hite, Lithopolis. 

Henry C. Le fever, Waterloo. 

Peter Finnefrock, Amanda. 

Z. C. Williams, Madison township. 

A. H. Thaeffer, Madison township. 

David Carpenter, Bern township. 

Samuel Breck, Carroll. 

John Ewing, Lancaster. 

John Cox, Baltimore. Ohio. 

Edward Garaghty, Lancaster. 

John Connell, Lancaster. 

D. A. Poorman, Carroll. 

Geo. Huber. Royalton. 

D. Palmer, Thornville. 

John Soliday, Walnut. 

Henry C. Coulson, Greenfield. 

Solomon Weaver, Pleasant township. 

Geo. W. Myers, Lancaster. 



James K. Black, Rushcreek township. 
Jonathan Miller, Hocking. 
.Abraham Shisler, Liberty township. 
Davis Tauter, Fairfield. 
Conrad Reedy, Amanda. 
Reuben Shisler, Liberty. 
John Irvin, Lancaster. 
Ezra Van Meter, Pickaway. 
S. C. Koontz, Bern. 
John S. Brasee, Lancaster. 
Willis F. Williams, Lancaster. 
Robert McNeill, Lancaster. 
Frederick Foster, Lancaster. 
Jesse Rickets, Bloom. 
Thomas Beech, Royalton. 
Emanuel Kemmerer, Pleasant. 
Joseph Nourse, Lancaster. 
James McCleery, (Greenfield. 
N. W. Dennison, Greenfield. 

TEXT BOOKS 

Boullion's English Grammar, Ray"s Arith- 
metic. Mitchell's Geography, Comstock's Phil- 
osophy, Comstock's Chemistry, Ruschen- 
berger's First Books of Natural History, 
Mrs. Lincoln's First Principles of Botany, 
Eaton & Wright's Xorth-.American Botany, 
Preston's Book-keeping, Young's Science of 
Government, Newmann's Rhetoric, Olm- 
sted's Astronomy, Davies' Mathematical 
Course, Boullion's Latin and Greek Gram- 
mars and Readers, the usual Latin and Greek 
classics (Anthon's series, so far as published). 

Instruction is also given in the French and 
Gennan languages. 

NOTICE 

Tuition in the more common branches, 

per session $ 8.00 

Tuition, Languages and Mathematics. 10.00 
Boarding (present rate) per week, 

$1.25 27.50 



342 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Use of room and furniture 2.00 The following were early students at this 

Fuel and light, fall and winter ses- school : Mary Trovinger, Hattie Shoemaker, 

sion, about 2.00 Jennie Ashbrook, Anna Ashbrook, Valeria 

Fuel and light, spring and summer ses- Hampson, Mary Duncan, Effinda Slife, Sarah 

sion, about 75 Magruder, Louisa Magruder, Callie Yontz, 

Total per session from ... $38.00 to $42.00 Edith Smith, Mollie Smith, Emma Miller, 

Laura Fink, Susan Fink, Emma Claypool, 

The year included two sessions of twenty- j[\\[^ Brandt, Amanda \\'eist, Mollie Cupp, 
two weeks each, the first commencing an- q M. Peters, T. H. Peters, C. W. Parido, 
nually between the 20th and 25th of September Taylor Parido, W. H. Huber, G. A. Ewing, 
and ending about the last of February; the j'j Duncan, N. P. Stevenson, Lewis Ash- 
second session commencing between the 15th brook, W. L. Brandt, J. J. Wagner, W. L. 
and 20th of March and ending about the mid- Koontz, J. W. Barber, D. J. Snyder, Thomas 
die of August. Hastings, P. M. Gibony, J. S. Cole, T. B. 

FAIRFIELD UNION ACADEMY m'p "'\J-,r^'T^!i' ^^ I n''l'T\f" 

M. Coe, William Wildermuth, D. A. Weakly, 

Fairfield Union Academy, located at Pleas- A. N. Leitnaker, Mat Miller, G. M. Miller, A. 

antville, was opened in i860. The academy B. Fry, S. G. Smith, L. B. Yontz, J. Harmer, 

had two brick buildings; in the north were Martin Thomen, Uriah Emick, A. E. Bretz, 

the chapel, recitation, cabinet and society W. E. Ewing. 

rooms; in the south were rooms for students, It will be impossible in this short space to 
reading-room and boarding hall. When the mention all the worthy teachers who at some 
school first opened in the fall of i860, it was time in the career of this noted school in- 
located in the Odd Fellows' Building and structed the young people who gathered there 
Prof. George Fleming was principal. Prof, as students. Prof. Darlington J. Snyder was 
Fleming was a highly cultured man, a classi- one of the earlier teachers. He was full of 
cal graduate of an eastern college. He enthusiasm and his intense energy lent to his 
seemed to know Bullion's Latin and Greek work an interest that few men can command, 
grammars as well as the author did; Latin He is now (1912) one of the leading physi- 
and Greek were as familiar to him as Eng- cians of the city of Columbus, 
lish. His strong forte was mathematics, and Prof. J. J. Wagner was also one of the 
in scientific research he was fully abreast of young teachers in this institution, whose good 
his time. work is still remembered, but whose life work 

In the spring of 1861 the first brick build- was destined for the public schools. (See 

ing was ready for occupancy. The early as- Liberty Township. — Baltimore.) 

sistants in this school were Prof. Peck, Will- Prof. A. Freed was for years the leading 

iam Hastings, J. J. Wagner and J. S. Cole, spirit of this institution. His wide and very 

Other teachers were Miss Edgar, D. J. Sny- accurate knowledge of the sciences, particu- 

der, J. W. Barber, Prof. Brown, T. C. Reade, larly of archaeology; and his keen insight into 

C. C. Will, A. Freed, John Williams, F. P. astronomy and trigonometry, made him one 

Shisler, Peter Wagner, J. C. Harper, S. of the most noted instructors of his class in 

Knabenshire and John F. Alfred. the country. His own private collection in his 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



343 



beautiful country home attracted the atten- 
tion of scientists the country over. Though 
a sufferer from ill health, he was companion- 
able, interesting and always cheerful, beloved 
by his pupils and respected by men in author- 
ity everywhere. His keenness of intellect, his 
wonderful power of illustration and the great 
breadth of his knowledge, made an impres- 
sion on the writer that will ne\er be for- 
gotten. 

Prof. J. C. Harper took charge of the in- 
stitution when its business affairs needed the 
closest attention. He brought the school to 
a high standing in a literary way — improved 
its finances and advertised it widely. Prof. 
Harper had had a wide experience in public 
school work before he took charge of the 
Academy. This made him popular with the 
teachers and enabled him to do them much 
good by Normal training. 

The scholarly Knabenshue did not remain 
long at the head of the institution, but he left 
his mark upon all who came within the circle 
of his influence. He posessed a keen mind 
and vigorous energetic methods of teaching. 
Later this distinguished scholar was sent by 
the President of the United States to repre- 
sent his country at a foreign court. Prof. 
Knabenshue's son Roy has become famous as 
an aviator, and has added much renown to 
his home, the city of Toledo. 

One of the last of the distinguished prin- 
cipals was Prof. John F. Alford, whose quiet, 
unassuming manner, but scholarly and dig- 
nified work day by day revived the life of the 
decadent institution and, for a time, gave it 
new strength, vigor and renown. He brought 
the attendance up very closely to what it was 
in the hey day of its history. 

Fairfield Union Academy was closed in the 
summer of 1903. 

To one who remembers the Academy in 



her brightest and most hopeful days, it is a 
sad commentary on the changes wrought by 
time to know that the school is no more, and 
that the buildings, neglected and alone, are 
crumbling back to Mother Earth. The owl 
and the bat make their home where once was 
heard the sound of music, instrumental and 
vocal, and the trained voice of the orator and 
debater. But such are the changes time will 
bring, a thought so beautifully expressed by 
one of the Academy's most noted pupils (now 
deceased). Dr. O. P. Driver: — 

"Down where the schoolhouse used to stand, 

A visit late I paid ; 
And lingered 'round its ruins wild, 

Deep musing while I staid. 

"But ah, to me the scene was sad. 

And tears were free to flow ; 
To think that a few years gone by 

Were doomed to change it so. 

"Such are the changes years will bring, 

As older still we grow. 
Till time shall find us near the tomb 

With locks as white as snow." 

CRAWFIS INSTITUTE 

Berne Township High School, or Crawfis 
Institute, owes its establishment to the benev- 
olence of a former citizen of the township, 
Mr. John Crawfis, after whom it is named. 
Mr. Crawfis was born in Berne township, 
Fairfield county, Ohio, but in early life re- 
moved to Putnam county, Ohio, where he 
lived until his death. Having accumulated a 
large fortune, he bequeathed at his death cer- 
tain lands to Berne township for the express 
purpose of establishing an institution of 
higher education, especially that of normal 
training for the people of his native township 
and such others of neighboring vicinities as 
would avail themselves of the opportunity. 
Mr. Crawfis's generosity was not alone for 



344 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Fairfield county, the place of his birth, but it 
was extended equally to Putnam county, the 
place of his adoption. He therefore left a 
like amount for the establishment of a similar 
school in Putnam county near his home, 
where a flourishing school is to be found 
today. 

With the proceeds of the sale of these 
lands, the Berne Township Board of Educa- 
tion, in 1889, erected a college building in the 
central part of the township, on a beautiful 
elevation, three miles southeast of Lancaster, 
Ohio. This beautiful elevation upon which 
the institution is situated overlooks a large 
scope of the picturesque and fertile region of 
the Hocking river, together with a large por- 
tion of the business part of the nearby city, 
making it one of tlie most pleasant and de- 
sirable places in the state. 

During the year 1889-90 it was used ex- 
clusively as a township high school ; but in 
1890 and '91 two dormitories were built and 
the school was organized upon broader plans, 
carrying out the expressed wishes of its ben- 
efactor. During the superintendency of Prof. 
D. C. Arnold, the attendance grew very ra- 
pidly and the school became very popular. In 
1892 an addition was built to the girls' dor- 
mitory, containing sixteen student's rooms 
with a large kitchen and dining-room in the 
basement. 

Unfortunately for the people of Berne 
township, however, the energetic and success- 
ful instructor resigned his position in 1892 to 
accept a more lucrative one in the city. Prof. 
A. B. Kiefaber, who was elected to succeed 
Prof. Arnold as manager of the institution, 
entered upon his duties in September, 1892, 
with flourishing prospects. Gradually the 
school grew in popularity and attendance un- 
til extensive improvements had to be made 
exceeding those of all previous years. Polit- 



ical affiliations and aspirations brought about 
another change in the management at the end 
of three years and Prof. W. J. Dum was ap- 
pointed as successor in 1895. 

By this time the people of the township had 
come to esteem their higher institution more 
dearly and the Board of Education had 
learned the value of cooperative efforts. A 
new impulse was given the school and such 
rapid strides were made in her progress that 
she soon became the most popular institution 
of the county. The good work thus moved 
on for some years under the leadership of the 
energetic superintendent; but in 1901 and 
1902 new (Boxwell) high school laws were 
enacted by the State Legislature, and public 
sentiment was everywhere aroused in favor 
of high school education. Villages and town- 
ships vied with each other in rank. This, 
caused a decline in interest and attendance at 
Crawfis College. 

Prof. Dum now resigned and a new and ac- 
tive man. Prof. William Walter, was placed 
at the head. Tremendous efforts were put 
forth by the management to attract public at- 
tention. The courses were revised and en- 
riched ; the school building and dormitories 
were thoroughly renovated, painted, and 
made comfortable and pleasant; a thorough 
gas plant was established, thus affording the 
most convenient, comfortable and cheapest 
fuel for light and fire; a new well was drilled 
at the most convenient place on the premises, 
in which the water issues from the solid rock 
and rises nearly to the surface, thus supply- 
ing the institution, not only with an inex- 
haustible supply of water, but also with the 
coolest, the clearest, and the purest available 
anywhere; the railroad company was induced 
to stop the passenger trains twice a week for 
the students; and the surroundings were so 
improved as to make the scenes both attract- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



345 



ive and comfortable. At the end of the first 
year it was already felt by the friends of the 
institution that she was regaining some of 
her former glory. Year after year the whole 
life of the management was thrown into the 
building up of the institution and rapidly the 
occupation of the Board of Education, teach- 
ers, and public came to the aid and all doubt 
of establishing her former prominence van- 
ished. Often obstacles were thrown in her 
way, but the management worked on undis- 
mayed, surmounted these, and gradually lifted 
her above the heads of all her sister institu- 
tions of the county, even winning some state 
recognition. 

The third year the enrollment had grown 
to such an extent that an addition had to be 
built to the boys" dormitory and a third in- 
structor employed. A new schoolroom was 
fitted up and agriculture was introduced as a 
regular and required branch. The fourth 
year the school had again increased in num- 
bers and prospects and it became necessary to 
provide new quarters for the boarding depart- 
ment. The basement of the girls' dormitory 
was accordingly prepared for the purpose and 
its management placed in the hands of respon- 
sible parties, whose duty it became to wait 
upon this department alone. The matron of 
the institution was thus relieved of the respon- 
sibility and the accommodations were made 
more commodious and convenient for the stu- 
dents. 

Again the courses were improved and 
lengthened. Two parallel high school courses, 
of four years each, were put in operation. 
The one is an English course, requiring neither 
Latin nor German, while the other requires 
either Latin or German or both. The term 
was extended from eight to nine months and 
the school was raised to first grade, thus giv- 
ing graduates from these courses the highest 



honors or credit that any high school in the 
state can give. The teachers' course was also 
lengthened one year because of the prevailing 
opinion that soon a high school education 
would be required for a teacher's certificate. 
Additions were made to both library and labo- 
ratory, so as to enable instructors to do their 
work more efficiently and more exhaustively. 

These changes, with the increased interest 
in agriculture, necessitated the employment of 
a fourth teacher. With such a faculty, all of 
whom have had college training and are bent 
upon progress, the question of the growth and 
rank of the school will be removed for years 
to come. 

No institution can show a better record in 
literary work. Crawfis institute stands second 
to none in this department and her members 
are sure to make themselves felt sooner or later 
as citizens and statesmen. 

The rules of the institution are strict, and 
this fact now makes it safe for all classes to at- 
tend this school. 

List of superintendents and principals of 
Crawfis Institute with their assistants from the 
organization of the scsool to the present time : 

SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS 

W. W. Boyd, 1 889- 1 890. 

D. C. Arnold, 1890- 1892. 
A. B. Kiefaber, 1892-1895. 
W. J. Dum, 1895-1907. 

William Walter, 1907 to the present time 
(1912). 

ASSISTANTS 

A. B. Kiefaber, 1890 (resigned). 
A. F. Hummel, 1890 (resigned). 

E. C. Hedrick. 1891. 
Prof. Randolph, 1891-1892. 
W. H. Alwine, 1892- 1894. 

A. F. Hummel, part of 1894 (resigned). 



346 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



G. H. Hartman, 1895. 

A. M. Clover, 1895-1897. 

W. A. Graffis, 1897- 1899. 

M. Kindler, 1 899-1 901. 

Prof. Gourley, 1901-1903. 

E. L. Daley, 1903- 1904. 

J. M. Hengst, 1904- 1905. 

E. H. Kuhn, 1905- 190b. 

H. C. Bailey, 1906- 1907. 

A. D. Hufford, 1907-1910. 

W. S. Krout, 1910-1911. 

Philip Bascom, part of 191 1 (resigned). 

N. W. Trasure, 1911-1912. 

W. S. Krout, second assistant, 1909- 1910. 

Karl Morris, second assistant, 1910-1911. 

Gladys Johnson, second assistant, 191 1- 
1912. 

J. W. Ford, third assistant, 1911-191.2. 

H. H. Tombarger served as substitute dur- 
ing part of Mr. Dum's incumbency. 

JOHN CRAWFIS 

John Crawfis was born in Fairfield county, 
Ohio, August I, 1809, and died at his home in 
Blanchard township, Putnam county, October 
9, 1880. He removed to Putnam county in the 
year 1834. Mr. Crawfis married a native of 
Fairfield county, but they had no children. In 
his will he provides for his wife during the re- 
mainder of her life and leaves her dower inter- 
ests in some real estate during her life time, 
and at her death the lands go to the board of 
education of Berne township, Fairfield county, 
and Blanchard township, Putnam county. The 
bequests were as follows : To Berne township, 
four hundred and twenty acres of land, which 
he valued at $25,000. To Blanchard town- 
ship, two hundred and forty acres of land, and 
notes and mortgages to the amount of $1 1,000, 
the total value of which he gives at $25,000. 
He also bequeathed to Ottawa Lodge No. 325, 
F. & A. M., the sum of $1,000. The residue of 



his property, if any, was to be divided equally 
between the board of education of Berne town- 
ship, Fairfield county and the board of educa- 
tion of Blanchard township, Putman county, 
for the purpose of providing public libraries 
for the schools which he endowed. 

THE BOYS' INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL 

It was a fortunate change by which '"The 
Ohio Reform Farm" became known as "The 
Boys' Industrial School." This was accom- 
plished at the suggestion, and by the efforts 
of Supt. J. C. Hite. The world likes the word 
industr3^ It has the right ring. It means 
everything to the boys. It is wealth and 
happiness to the masses of mankind. In- 
dustry has done, and is doing the world's 
work. But there is needed one strong word 
just before the word "industry" to give it its 
full meaning and strength — the word "intelli- 
gent" must be placed there, for "intelligent in- 
dustry" today creates the world's finished 
product. 

At the Boys' Industrial School the head, the 
hand and the heart are trained — made intelli- 
gent. These boys have ample training in the 
school room, where lessons are learned and 
problems solved just as in the best schools of 
the cities of our state. Then their hands are 
made to follow glibly the lines of the manu- 
factures of the various trades of life. 

Vocational Training is the cry and call to- 
day from workshop, factory and counting 
house. Train the boy to souic useful kind of 
zvork. This is the great demand of the age. 
The Boys' Industrial School has been doing this 
work in vocational training for many years 
and the institution has turned out men who 
are an honor to any profession or trade. It is 
well that this is true, for it gives these boys in 
this institution an equal chance in the race of 
life with every other boy. The present man- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



347 



agement is efficient and thorough. The fol- 
lowing account will be read with interest and 
pride, not only by citizens of the county, but 
by every boy who has made the Institution 
his home. 

THE boys' industrial SCHOOL 

By Prof. O. C. Larason. 

The Boys' Industrial School is situated six 
miles south of Lancaster, Ohio, in Fairfield 
county, and contains twelve hundred and 
thirty acres of land, located in the townships of 
Hocking, Berne and Madison. It is connected 
with Lancaster by trolley and a good public 
road. The superintendents since 1859 have 
been as follows : 

G. E. Howe, Lake county, April 5, 1859 — 
April 5, 1878. 

J. C. Hite, Fairfield county, April 5, 1878 — 
June 18, 1879. 

Col. G. S. Innis, Franklin county, June 18, 
1879 — ^June I, 1880. 

Chas. Douglass, Lucas county, June i, 1880 
— May 15, 1884. 

J. C. Hite, Fairfield county. May 15, 1884 — 
January i, 1886. 

Chas. Douglass, Lucas county, January i, 
1886 — February 21, 1889. 

Capt. D. N. Barrett, Highland county, Feb- 
ruary 21, 1889 — April I, 1890. 

J. C. Hite, Fairfield county, April i, 1890 — 
April I, 1892. 

Capt. D. N. Barrett, Highland county, April 
I, 1892 — March 26, 1900. 

C. D. Hilles, Belmont county, March 26, 
1900 — May 15, 1902. 

Col. C. B. Adams. Delaware county, May 
15, 1902 — May I, 1909. 

Maj. F. C. Gerlach, Wayne county. May i, 
1909. 



MAJ. F. C. GERLACH 

This great institution with its varied inter- 
ests, is under the direct management of Maj. 
F. C. Gerlacli, who is giving it his solicitous 
and undivided attention. 

DEPARTMENTS 

This school is divided into three general di- 
visions, viz: Military, Educational and Indus- 
trial, and there are subdivisions under each. 
It is a school for the general education of de- 
linquent youth and has been in existence for 
fifty-four years. It has no high fences, walls 
or bars to restrain the boys from escaping, but 
depends rather upon kind treatment and judi- 
cious management for its success. 

Into this school, through the juvenile courts, 
come the delinquent youth of the state to be 
educated, taught means of earning a living, 
developing physically, mentally and morally, 
finally to be returned to their places in the com- 
munities from which they were sent. 

In 191 1 the buildings consisted of the new 
main building, the administration cottage, in- 
dustrial building, laundry, bakery, telegraph 
office and detention hospital, dairy barn, 
slaughter house, blacksmith shop, two school 
buildings, conservatory, plumbing and tinning 
building, central steam plant, store room and 
tailor shop buildings, two horse barns, carriage 
barn, armory, chapel, hospital, two dining halls, 
the old main building, gardener's residence, 
garbage building, pumping station, implement 
and tool house, and the Maumee, Union, Har- 
mon A., Harmon B. Nash, Scioto, Cuyahoga, 
Pattison, Harris. Muskingum, Hocking, La- 
goda, Bushnell, Herrick, Highland and Ohio 
family cottages. 

Of these sixteen cottages, two, Bushnell and 
Pattison, are made up entirely of colored boys. 



348 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



MILITARY DEPARTMENT 

Military discipline is maintained throughout 
the institution, yet in no part is it so rigid but 
that all can fulfil its demands easily. Capt. J. 
C. Houser has charge of this department and 
has brought it up to a high degree of efficiency. 
There are two regiments of sixteen companies. 
The sixteen companies, composed of forty of 
the best drilled boys in each family, are offi- 
cered completely by those boys who have 
mastered the art of military training. The 
majors of battalions, and all other officers, are 
commisioned by the superintendent of the in- 
stitution. 

Each company is under the direct charge of 
the military instructor two hours each week, 
and drills one half hour daily, under the charge 
of the captain, supervised by the family officer. 

The training includes all close order work, 
as laid down in the U. S. Infantry Drill Regu- 
lations of 1904. and amendments thereto to 
date. The boys are taught the complete Physi- 
cal Rifle Drill, compiled by Capt. Edmond L. 
Butts, U. S. army. The larger boys are 
equipped with Springfield rifles, model 1884, 
while the smaller boys are provided with modi- 
fied Springfield rifles, model 1863. The uni- 
form worn is the same as that of the U. S. 
army. 

The cadets are inspected on Sunday morn- 
ing of each week, and the company receiving 
the most "special mentions," as regards cleanli- 
ness, neatness of clothes, care of arms and 
equipments, for one year, is awarded a medal 
donated by Capt. George L. Converse, com- 
mandant of cadets at Ohio State University, 
which is worn by the captain of the winning 
company on all special occasions. 

A dress parade each Sunday afternoon, in 
which all the cadets participate, is an interest- 
ing feature of the military work done here. 



The parade is completed by all the companies 
executing the physical rifle drill, accompanied 
by music by the B. I. S. Cadet Band. 

One day of each year is set apart as a mili- 
tary field day, in which competitive drills are 
held, all the companies competing. These 
drills are judged by U. S. army officers, and 
the company of cadets winning the prize drill 
contest is awarded a money prize and a regula- 
tion saber, which is worn by the captain of the 
successful company at all ceremonies. A money 
prize is also given to the second and third best 
drilled companies. 

The competitive drill in the physical rifle 
drill is also held on this day, and the successful 
company receives a prize of $15. 

THE SCHOOL OF LETTERS 

This department is under the supervision of 
a superintendent of schools, ably assisted by a 
corps of twenty competent teachers. The 
schools are classified into eight grades and a 
high school. The latter is separated into two 
divisions, under two instructors, and covers 
two years' work. Those completing the course 
of instruction in these schools ,are well quali- 
fied to take up the third year high school work 
in the city schools of Ohio. 

Every boy in the institution is required to 
attend school one half of each day, while the 
other half-day is devoted to learning some use- 
ful trade in the various industrial or mechani- 
cal departments. 

Shortly after a boy is received at the insti- 
tution he is taken before the superintendent of 
schools, who gives him a thorough examination 
and decides what grade work he is capable of 
doing. The boys are advanced in the grades 
as rapidly as their ability permits. The grades 
are practically the same as those in the public 
schools of the state, while in the high school 
grades, physical geography, commercial arith- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



349 



metic, agriculture, bookkeeping, school civics, 
algebra and Latin are taught, in addition to re- 
viewing the common branches. 

Superintendent O. C. Larason has been at 
the head of this department for the last two 
years. Within this time the first printed 
course of study has been published and the first 
"educational week" (the first week of April, 
191 1 ), observed. During this week prizes 
were awarded for the best work in all the 
grades in all the branches. The boys had been 
preparing for these tests for several months 
and it created such an educational awakening 
that they will be continued in the future. All 
these tests were held in the various school 
rooms, except for special prizes in declaiming 
and spelling, which were held in tlie chapel. 
The educational department is certainly the 
most important one of the institution. 

LIBRARY 

There are about twenty-seven hundred 
volumes in the stationary library in the Central 
school building. These books are given out 
daily to the boys, who take them to their cot- 
tages to read, and are sometimes used as supple- 
mentary reading in school. A circulating li- 
brary of two hundred and twenty-five volumes 
are put in circulation during the winter season ; 
these books are made up in sets and moved 
from cottage to cottage every two weeks. Mrs. 
O. C. Larason is librarian. 

MUSIC DEPARTMENT 

This department consists of a band and a 
choir, composed wholly of boys, under the di- 
rection of a music instructor. The industrial 
school band is made up of forty pieces, instru- 
mentation as follows : Five cornets, six clario- 
nets, one piccolo, four mellophones, four slide 
trombones, one bass drum, three bass horns, 
four snare drums, one bass drum, one pair cym- 



bals, and nine trumpets. The boys are in the 
band school every afternoon and master with 
ease many of the difficult selections played by 
professional musical organizations. The band 
furnishes music for chapel services and for the 
many entertainments given throughout the 
year for the amusement of the boys. Prof. 
F. H. Sebach is the efficient instructor in this 
department. 

RELIGIOUS FEATURE 

In the observance of the Sabbath we have 
evidence of the success of the institution. In 
no home or village of the state are the sacred 
hours of worship and improvement more ap- 
propriately and profitably spent. Sunday 
school is held at 10:15 a. m. and the chapel 
service at 2:15 p. m. The Sunday school is 
always attractive and interesting, and the study 
of the lessons systematic and thorough. The 
chapel service presents an appreciating, rever- 
ential and interesting congregation devoutly 
worshiping our Creator. Boys belonging to 
the Catholic church attend mass held in chapel 
every Sunday morning. 

The Sunday school is under the charge of 
the superintendent of schools, and the leading 
ministers, professors, superintendents of 
schools and leading men in their profession 
throughout the state are called to speak at the 
afternoon exercises. Quite often some of the 
boys speak at these chapel exercises. Maj. F. 
C. Gerlach, the general superintendent, always 
presides at these meetings. 

THE HOSPITAL 

One of the most beautiful and well arranged 
buildings in the institution is the hospital. 
This building has a large well ventilated ward 
of thirty beds, several smaller wards of two 
and three beds, a solarium, a well-equipped 
operating room, a disi>ensary, a diet kitchen 



350 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and a dining-room. The hospital is in charge 
of a resident physician, assisted by a graduate 
nurse. When a boy is received into the insti- 
tution he is taken to the hospital and examined 
as to his physical condition, thus preventing in- 
fectious diseases with which many boys come 
into contact before entering the school. If he 
is in good condition he is sent to the family to 
which he is assigned, and if not, he is retained 
in the hospital until he has recovered from the 
ailment with which he is afflicted. In addition 
the second floor of the old hospital building is 
used for the treatment of contagious diseases. 
Dr. J. G. Stammel, the resident physician, 
looks carefully after the general health of the 
boys, the prevention of contagious diseases, 
and the immediate checking of the latter at its 
first appearance. He is ably assisted by Miss 
Flora T. Conner, a graduate nurse. 

INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT 

The industrial department is divided into 
several divisions, viz: farming, gardening, 
laundry, shoe shop, tin shop, plumbing, cabinet 
shop, paint shop, blacksmithing, bakery, barber- 
ing, canning, floriculture, electrical, carpenter- 
ing, sewing, mending, tailoring, telegraphy, 
dairy, equestrian, poultry, printing, etc. Each 
of these subdivisions is under the charge of a 
competent officer. 

The boys' Industrial Scliool Journal is pub- 
lished the second and fourth Fridays of each 
month by Hon. W. B. Taneyhill, officer in 
charge, assisted by a number of boys who 
are anxious to learn the printing trade. 

THE G.\RDENS 

The gardens consist of about forty acres of 
land under a high state of cultivation. Rota- 
tion of crops is regularly practiced and enough 
fresh vegetables are raised the year round to 
supply the entire institution. Early potatoes, 



onions, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, mel- 
ons, tomatoes, sugar-corn, beans, celery, beets, 
radishes, asparagus, rhubarb, and a great many 
other varieties of vegetables are raised. A 
number of hot beds are in use for the forward- 
ing of plants and the forcing of winter and 
spring vegetables. A large number of boys — 
often as many as one hundred — find pleasant 
employment in the gardens daily. 

The conservatory is built with four wings, 
filled with a variety of plants, such as palms, 
banana trees, rubber trees, tree ferns, tropical 
ferns, carnations, roses, fancy chrysanthe- 
mums, etc. About twenty-five thousand plants 
are grown annually for bedding purposes. Six- 
teen boys are regularly employed in taking care 
of the plants, propagating, etc. A large collec- 
tion of miscellaneous plants afford boys an op- 
portunity to study the habits and requirements 
of plants under their care. 

Cut flowers and potted plants furnish mate- 
rial for decorations in the chapel, dining- 
rooms, cottages, and the hospital. The con- 
servatory is supplied with water, electric lights, 
and steam heat from the central power plant. 

The gardens and greenhouses are under the 
direct management of Mr. J. R. Starke, an ex- 
pert in this line of work, who has been con- 
nected with the institution for the last eleven 
years. 

FARMING 

While the land is rather rough and stony 
and the soil not the best adapted to farming, it 
is surprising what an amount of corn, potatoes, 
hay and other farm products are annually pro- 
duced. There are twenty acres in apple or- 
chard, twenty-five acres in the peach orchard, 
two acres in pears, three acres in cherries, ten 
acres in small fruits, berries, etc., and twenty- 
five acres in grapes. Assistant Superintendent 
D. E. Roberts gives this department his closest 






> 





r 
> 





AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



351 



attention and is increasing the productiveness 
of the farm each year. 

FINANCE 

In an institution of this kind there is a vast 
amount of material to be purchased each year, 
such as horses, farm implements, school sup- 
plies, groceries, hats, cloth, etc. Hon. P. H. 
Bruck is the financial officer and watches 
closely the finances of the school. 

[Note. The institution is now under the 
management of The State Central Board. 
Editor.] 

THE MERIT SYSTEM 

The standing of a boy is ascertained by 
means of the merit system. Upon entering the 
institution he is debited with a number of de- 
merits, according to the ofifense which he has 
committed before being sent to the school, five 
thousand demerits being the minimum number 
given, and eight thousand the maximum. For 
each day of exemplary conduct, satisfactory 
work in the department in which he is em- 
ployed, and diilgence in school, he receives a 
credit of ten merit marks, and for every three 
months that he manifests a desire to do well 
and is gentlemanly in his deportment he re- 
ceives, in addition to the ten merits allowed 
each day, an extra three hundred merits. 

As an incentive to neatness in dress and the 
proper care of arms and equipment, one boy is 
selected from the companies, inspected on each 
Sunday, to act as orderly to the superintendent 
for the day and receives three hundred merits. 
For misconduct a boy is demerited, according 
to the seriousness of the offense. 

When the number of merits a boy receives 
for his deportment here balances the number of 
demerits he was given when he was admitted, 
his home conditions and surroundings are in- 
vestigated, and if found proper the boy is pa- 



roled and sent home, the institution providing 
him with new clothing and other wearing ap- 
parel. 

THE PAROLE SYSTEM 

The parole system deserves mention here, 
from the fact that after a boy is released from 
the institution, he is regularly visited by the 
parole officers and is under jurisdiction until 
he arrives at the age of twenty-one. The two 
parole officers travel over the state, securing 
positions for paroled boys, find homes for 
homeless boys, inquire into their habits and 
lend a helping hand whenever needed, return- 
ing to the institution boys who have violated 
their paroles. It is due to these men that many 
boys are kept at work earning an honest living 
and prevented from going back to their old 
habits and mingling with the associates that 
have caused them to be delinquents. The sys- 
tem has pro\ed a success from its installation 
and the boys under the care of the parole offi- 
cers look forward with pleasure to the regular 
visits made them. 

At the present time (May 13, 191 1) there 
are twelve hundred and twenty boys and one 
hundred and forty officers in the institution. 
The general public can form no adequate 
conception of the daily work in detail at 
this institution, and the food and clothing 
required. For instance, an ox weighing one 
thousand pounds on foot, will be eaten in one 
day. In the autumn, for the same time, it 
requires a wagon load of cabbage and two 
hundred dozen roasting ears. The kind of 
food varies, of course; if they have beans, it 
requires two hundred and fifty pounds; if po- 
tatoes, ten bushels. Of the continuous food 
used daily, one hundred pounds of butter, 
eighty gallons of milk, a large tank of coffee, 
and one thousand loaves of bread is a part of 
the food required to satisfy the hearty appe- 



352 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



tites of the boys and officers. It can be seen 
that the producing and preparation of this 
food is a matter of no small concern. Neither 
is the making and mending of clothes, shoes, 
laundry, etc. 

To enumerate all the features of this large 
institution would require page after page, but 
from the foregoing brief description the reader 
can form an idea of what a great work the 
Boys' Industrial school is doing for the better- 
ment of the juvenile delinquents of the state of 
Ohio. With regular habits of industry, com- 
bined with judicious, moral and intellectual 
training, we have produced the most gratify- 
ing results, and we earnestly invite every citi- 
zen of Ohio to visit our institution and obsers'e 
our methods. 

HON. JOHN C. HITE 

John C. Hite was a native of Pleasantville, 
Fairfield county. He was a school teacher in 
his early manhood, and was largely instru- 
mental in the erection of Fairfield Union Acad- 
emy. He was the first director and secretary 
of that school. In 1865 he was elected colonel 
of the Fourth Ohio Militia. 

In 1868 he removed from his farm to Lan- 
caster, and purchased the Tuthill and Rigby 
book store; after two years he sold his book 
store and bought a half interest in the Ohio 
Eagle which was conducted by Thomas Wetz- 
ler. In 1873 he was elected auditor of Fair- 
field county and held that office two terms. In 
1878, Colonel Hite was appointed superintend- 
ent of the Ohio Reform Farm by Governor 
Bishop and was reappointed by Governors Fos- 
ter, Hoadley and Campbell, serving in all six 
and a half years. Colonel Hite was instrumen- 
tal during his administration of having the 
name "Ohio Reform Farm" changed by an act 
of legislature to "Boys Industrial School." 

Mr. Hite while superintendent of the Boys 



Industrial School was not only superintendent 
but teacher as well. He was always interested 
in educational affairs, not only of the county 
but of the state. 

Mr. Hite had a strong personality. He 
made friends, and held them to the end of life. 
He was always a friend of the struggling be- 
ginner, and of those who needed help in all the 
walks of life. As an editor he was vigorous, 
keen and direct. He was scholarly, neat and 
commanding. His influence upon the boys at 
the Industrial School was marked, many of 
them rememljering him through life. His kind- 
ness helped them to forget their troubles and 
to live for better things. 

TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE TEACHERS OF FAIR- 
FIELD COUNTY 

By A. D. Groves 
A. D. Groves was born in Walnut township, 
Fairfield county, Ohio, February 17, i860. 
He attended the district schools and afterward 
took a course at Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasantville, Ohio. Since the age of sixteen 
he has either been teaching or attending school 
each year continuously. Most of this expe- 
rience has been with the country schools. He 
was for some years superintendent of the 
schools of Carroll, Ohio. He has for the last 
five years been superintendent of the Pleasant 
township schools of this county and continues 
in this capacity at this time. He has held both 
elementary and high school professional cer- 
tificates for many years. He was appointed by 
Judge E. F. Holland to serve as a member of 
the county board of school examiners for a 
term of three years. 

LIST OF TEACHERS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY FOR 

YEAR 19 10- 1 1 

AMANDA TOWNSHIP 

Esther Homrighous, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Gilbert Smith, Amanda, Ohio. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



353 



Harry Jackson, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Daisy Shumaker, W. Rushville, Ohio. 
Ethel Alspaugh, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Vernon V. Smith, Lancaster, Ohio. 
E. M. Stahl, Amanda, Ohio. 
J. F. Alford, Bremen, Ohio. 

AMANDA VILLAGE TEACHERS 

O. C. Minnick, superintendent. 

Clyde Bateman, principal. 

Orpha Christy, grammar department. 

Reba Rickets, primary. 

Catharine Cromley, intermediate. 

Mary Hewetson, teacher of music. 

Cora Shaeffer, not employed. 

BERNE TOWNSHIP 

Crawfis Institute 

William Walter, superintendent, Lancaster, 
Ohio. " 

W. S. Krout, principal, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Karl Morris, assistant principal, Lancaster, 
Ohio. 

Merle McCandlish, -Bremen, Ohio. 

Mrs. Lizzie Funk, Lancaster, Ohio. 

H. S. McClenaghan, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Lester J. Hall, N. Berne, Ohio. 

Glen Strohl, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Clarke Graham, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Viola Graham, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Lewis Wagner, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 

Tal. Bumgardiner, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Stanley Dutton, Bremen, Ohio. 

Chloe Clark, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 

M. L. Ruble, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 

BLOOM TOWNSHIP 

Charles Thrash, Carroll, Ohio. 
Carl Zangmeister, Lithopolis, Ohio. 
J. J. Kiger, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
Tena B. Thrash, Carroll, Ohio. 
Edna Courtright, Carroll, Ohio. 



Effie Roller, Canal Wichester, Ohio. 

H. A. Beaty, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 

Cavtis Thrash, Carroll, Ohio. 

Harry Snyder, Carroll, Ohio. 

Bud Thrash, Carroll, Ohio. 

Ralph Harris, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 

Goldie Hickle, Lithopolis, Ohio. 

LITHOPOLIS VILLAGE 

Jesse Kinner, superintendent, Lithopolis, 
Ohio. 

Mrs. Jesse Kinner, principal. 

Grace M. Souders, intermediate department. 

Rose Dutton, primary department. 

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 

Clancy Thompson. 

Louise Hangs. 

George Thompson. 

Mary Hangs. 

Grover Earnhart, Amanda, Ohio. 

Earl Wolf. 

Chester Thomen, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Stoutsville 

Ed S. Rufifner, superintendent, Strouts- 
ville, Ohio. 

Clytus Valentine, Stoutsville, Ohio. 
Trafiford Bretz, Pleasantville, Ohio. 
Bessie Harden, Stoutsville, Ohio. 
Hattie Miesse, Stoutsville, Ohio. 

Oakland 

N. W. Trasure, Amanda, Ohio. 
Rosa Kull, Amanda, Ohio. 
Martha Kull, Amanda, Ohio. 

Retired 

Mae Valentine, H. O. Harden, Alvah De 
Long, Mabel Leist, G. W. Hufford. 

GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP 

Harley Powell, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Lillian Hoshor, Carroll, Ohio. 



354 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Meredith Kindler, Carroll, Ohio. 
O. C. Moore, Carroll, Ohio. 
Effie Kester, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Irvin Miller, Lancaster, Ohio. 
A. H. Barr, Carroll, Ohio. 
Leroy Osbourne, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Albert Conkle, Hooker, Ohio. 
Theo. Wildermuth (retired), Lancaster, 
Ohio. 



Dilger 



Carroll Village 

superintendent. 



Carroll, 
Ohio. 



E. C. 
Ohio. 

O. C. Schafer, principal, Carroll, 
Edwin Schmidt, Carroll, Ohio. 
Mamie Kester, Carroll, Ohio. 
Bertha Mackin, Carroll, Ohio. 

HOCKING TOWNSHIP 

Clyde Alstadt, Laurelville, Ohio. 
W. O. Beery, Lancaster, Ohio. 

F. M. Smith, jr., Lancaster, Ohio. 
J. R. Christy, Amanda, Ohio. 
Nora M. O'Neill, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Calvin S. Stouder, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 
H. W. Walford, Lancaster, Ohio. 

C. D. Hofifman, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Roy T. Lutz, Amanda, Ohio. 

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP 

W. R. Osbourne, superintendent. 
Vera Shidacher, Basil, Ohio. 
Doris Robinson, Basil, Ohio. 
Adah Friend, Pleasantville, Ohio. 
Rex Watson, Baltimore, Ohio. 
Howard Dumond, Basil, Ohio. 
Florence Kumler, Baltimore, Ohio. 
Lucy Huntworth, Basil, Ohio. 
Mabel Kagey, Baltimore. Ohio. 
Frank George, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Herbert Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
Flo Hempy, Pleasantville, Ohio. 



James Snider, Basil, Ohio. 
Russell Grover, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Baltimore Village 

C. W. Andrews, superintendent, Balti- 
more, Ohio. 

Harry Kagey, Baltimore, Ohio. 
John Montgomery, Baltimore, Ohio. 
Nettie Kumler, Baltimore, Ohio. 
Alice Holder, Baltimore, Ohio. 
Leota Littlejohn, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Basil Village 

E. E. Ray, superintendent, Basil, Ohio. 
Adda Katzenbaugh, Nelsonville, Ohio. 
Ethel Grube, Basil, Ohio. 
Gussie Flemming, Basil, Ohio. 
Marcia Poff, Basil, Ohio. 
Frances Finks, Basil, Ohio. 

MADISON TOWNSHIP 

W. J. Dumm, superintendent, Lancaster, 
Ohio. 

J. C. Byers, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 
Jennie Hoffman, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Hazel D. Britch, Lancaster, Ohio. 
Nellie Stage, Bidwell, Ohio. 

D. S. Harvey, Amanda, Ohio. 
Carrie Bussert, Lancaster, Ohio. 
H. M. Woodward, Lancaster, Ohio. 
D. C. Matz, Lancaster, Ohio. 

James G. Morgan, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 

James Johnston (retired), Lancaster, 
Ohio. 

Agnes M. McDonald (retired), Lancas- 
ter, Ohio. 

PLE.\S.A.NT TOWNSHIP 

A. D. Groves, superintendent, Lancas- 
ter, Ohio. 

Vernon Mondhank, Lancaster, Ohio. 
William R. Beck, Lancaster, Ohio. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



355 



Mrs. Lillian Lones, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Janet Beery, Rushville, Ohio. 

F. P. Schisler, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

P. W. Thomen, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

R. A. Hite, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

Miss Rhea Hempy, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

C. H. Uhl, Lancaster, Ohio. 

Russell Seifert, Bremen, Ohio. 

Pieasantville Village 

J. M. Gordon, superintendent, Pieasant- 
ville, Ohio. 

N. S. Steare, principal, Pieasantville, 
Ohio. 

Fred Schlisler, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

Eva PuUar, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

Maud Hamilton, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

Anna Miller, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

Georgiana Turner, Pieasantville, Ohio. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 

Charles Hampson, Pieasantville, Ohio. 
Adolph Paliner, Rushville, Ohio. 
Edith Teele, Rushville, Ohio. 
Iva Swinehart, Rushville, Ohio. 
Margaret E. Hoover, New Salem, Ohio. 
Alma M. Stoltz (unemployed), Rush- 
ville, Ohio. 

RUSHVILLE AND W. RUSHVILLE 

(Both towns under one superintendent) 

R. E. Stone, superintendent, Rushville, 
Ohio. 

Floyd Kerwood, principal, Rushville, 
Ohio. 

Jacob McKinley, principal, W. Rushville, 
Ohio. 

Miss Miller, Rushville, Ohio. 

Miss Lewis, Rushville, Ohio. 

Harry P. Murphy, W. Rushville, Ohio. 

Alice Black, W. Rushville, Ohio. 



RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP 

Carl J. Kistler, Lancaster, Ohio. 
J. H. Downour, Bremen, Ohio. 
Martha Brown, Bremen, Ohio. 
Ray Everett. Bremen, Ohio. 
Clarence ShoU, Bremen, Ohio. 
Anna Bagwell, Bremen, Ohio. 
L. V. Guyton, Bremen, Ohio. 
Belle Houk, Bremen, Ohio. 
Carl M. Brown, Bremen, Ohio. 
Porter Wright, Bremen, Ohio. 
C. O. Brown. Bremen, Ohio. 

Bremen Village 

W. L. Davis, superintendent, Bremen, 
Ohio. 

Gladys Johnson, principal, Thurston, 
Ohio. 

C. F. Kreider, Tarlton, Ohio. 

Daisy McCullough, Bremen, Ohio. 

Miss Miller, Sugar Grove, Ohio. 

Bessie Hafford, Bremen, Ohio. 

Miss McCandlish, Bremen, Ohio. 

Miss Krout, Bremen, Ohio. 

VIOLET TOWNSHIP 

W. R. Houser, Pickerington, Ohio. 
Grace Miller, Pickerington, Ohio. 
Mabel Becker, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
J. E. Gross, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
Lelah Leidy, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
H. C. Lee, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
Emerson Foor, Canal Winchester, Ohio. 
Edson Kindler (unemployed), Pickering- 
ton, Ohio. 

Pickerington Village 

W. H. C. Ackers, superintejident, Pick- 
erington, Ohio. 

Ethel Rowles, Bremen, Ohio. 
P. C. Milnor, Pickerington, Ohio. 
G. C. Stemen, Pickerington, Ohio. 



356 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



S. A. Raver, Pickerington, Ohio. 
Alice Hizey, Pickerington, Ohio. 
Blanche Lehman, Canal Winchester, 
Ohio. 

WALNUT TOWNSHIP 

M. E. Osbourne, superintendent, Thurs- 
ton, Ohio. 

W. S. Merritt, Thurston, Ohio. 

Benj. F. Hoover, New Salem, Ohio. 

H. C. Ruffner, New Salem, Ohio. 

Ina Hoover, New Salem, Ohio. 

A. E. Foster, principal, New Salem, Ohio. 

L. M. Heiston, Pleasantville, Ohio. 

Hayden McLaughlin, Millersport, Ohio. 

Mildred Miller, Millersport, Ohio. 

Bertha Outcault, Millersport, Ohio. 

P. L. Scheidegger, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Russell Bope, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Clara Price, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Mae Alt, Baltimore, Ohio. 

Arthur Smith, Thurston, Ohio. 

Nellie Smith, Thurston, Ohio. 

Alice Work, Thurston, Ohio. 

Lela Work, Thurston, Ohio. 

Lester Dauterman, Thurston, Ohio. 

Carrie Dauterman, Thurston, Ohio. 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BOX WELL- PATTERSON GRAD- 
UATES FROM THE COMMON SCHOOLS, I9I I 

Amanda Township 
Hazelle Ashbrook, Eliza Calvert, Ralph 
Conrad, Margie Palm, Ruth Riegel, Alfred 
Sears, Lizzie Wagner, Lester Watts, Alvin 
Barr, Hazel Dumond, Minnie Hartman, Re- 
becca Hammitt, Mae Reber. 

Berne Township 
John Fleming, Will Young, Ed Walter, 
Raymond Potts, Helen R. Hengst. 

Bloom Township 
Gladys Benson, Russell R. Sooper, Kath- 
arine Corinany, Fay Solt, Hubert Hoy, El- 



sie Leach, Mary Moore, Roy B. Blosser, 
Ray Cofman, Gladys Hummell. 

Clear Creek Township 
Joseph Hewetson, Russell Meeker, Merl 
Johnston. 

Greenfield Township 

Viola Osbourne, George Shaeffer, Ray- 
mond Fast, Adeline Griffith, Frank Azbell, 
Paul Cullumber, Charles C. Hanna, Ralph 
Phelps. 

Hocking Township 

Mary Beck, Harold Rowles, Hubert Guis- 
inger, Denver Lutz, Florence Thrush, Dora 
Walter, Ruth Beck, Mary Lawrence, R. G. 
Martin, William Manson, Cora Ruff, Ger- 
trude Ruff, Leefe Reese, Harold Ruff, Laur- 
ence Ruff, Harvey Smith, Dwight Walter, 
George Ruthersford. 

Liberty Township 
Israel Blauser, Nellie Clouse, Dwight Du- 
mond, Dome Poff, Kirk Thomas, Ida Ever- 
hart, Charles Eversole, Clara Bohrer, 
Charles Mauger, Philip Reef. 

Madison Township 
Wilber Marshall, Huldah Valentine, Mer- 
rile Shaeffer, Carl Kull. 

Pleasant Township 
Freda Nyl, Emma B. Schaertzer, Ruth 
Busby, Eva Ballmer, Clarence Rowles, 
Ralph Schisler, Paul Freeman, Hazel Free- 
man, Glen Hamilton, Ethel Young, Opha 
Frafzer, John Ballmer, Hazel Ballmer, 
Philip Boyer, George Darfus, Grace Darfus, 
Harold Freed, Fred Gerhard, Pearle Hine, 
Reuben Hine, Burman Hinton, Harold 
Johnson, Joseph Karcher, Walter Mertz, 
Florence Wygum. 

Richland Township 
Iva Lynn, Nola Wolf. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



359 



Rush Creek Township 

Cleo Bagwell, Ada Siefert, Patley Holli- 
day, Ines Kagy, Marquerite King, Francis 
McCandlish, L. McCandlish, Wilber Mc- 
Candlish, Mary Van Buren, Irene Hengst, 
Faye Siefert, Ola Siefert, Cecil Stemen, 
Irene Shumaker. 

Violet Township 

Harry Reese, Homer Sundy, Eva Lei, 
Edith Bremer, Arthur Ford, Dan Shade. 

Walnut Township 

Earl Acker, Elsie M. Cook, Albert Mur- 
phy, Eudella Miller, Ruth Norris, Francis 
Friesner, Catherine Hudnall, Willie Knode, 
W. C. Amos, Russell Click, Mary Camp, 
Maggie Housekeeper, Mary Hite, Gladys 
Thompson, Irene Taylor, John Shull, Lyman 
Miller, Marie Spangler, Ruth Wertz. 

THEN AND NOW 

Log and Red School House Times 
From Tivin City Neivs, Jan. lo, 1907. 

Along about 1856 was a time for many 
developments. I remember that an old gray- 
headed minister in conversation with my 
father made this remark, 'Well Henry, if 
the next fifty years produces as many 
changes in way of advancement as the past 
fifty years have, I would just like to be here 
and see the change.' They have both long 
since, passed over to 'the beyond.' 

"It is just fifty years since that conversa- 
tion took place. I, then a small boy, heard 
it and am here today to see what they would 
like to have seen. About this time, (1856) 
steel pens made their appearance and the 
goose-quill was doomed as an article for 
writing purposes. However the change was 
not made at once, from the fact that steel 



pens when first put on the market, sold at 
five cents each, later at three cents, or two 
for five cents, but within three years from 
the time they were first used in this vicinity 
they were selling at a penny. 

"Goose-quills could be bought in the 
stores at ten cents a dozen, no sale for tur- 
key quills as they made poor pens. Buzzard 
quills brought twenty-two cents a dozen 
very readily, as they were very superior for 
pen purposes. 

"About this time there were taxes levied 
for school contingent purposes as' well as for 
tuition. This was done by school districts 
which enabled districts to be economical or 
extravagant as they chose, however, then 
as now, there was a law limit. Instead of 
the patrons furnishing the wood for fuel 
gratis there was sold at the time of holding 
the annual district school election to the 
lowest bidder the privilege of furnishing fuel 
for the next winter school usually at a price 
per cord of wood. 

"In 1856 District No. 11 built a beautiful 
new frame school house, the best country 
school house in Liberty Township up to 
that date. District No. i, original district 
No. 2, having built frame houses sev- 
eral years previously. The house that Dis- 
trict No. 1 1 built was sold and moved to 
Basil during the 'Brick School House Craze' 
and is now owned and occupied by Mr. 
Henry Bigony. 

"In 1857 the patrons of District No. 12 de- 
cided by vote to purchase school ground and 
build a school house a little better than any 
yet erected; a tax was levied on all the tax- 
able property in the school district; not a 
township tax. I do not know what the rate 
was, but I do know that the school tax on 
one hundred and sixty acres of land was 
thirty dollars in 1857. 



360 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



"Mr. Jacob Roley of the school district, a 
carpenter and contractor than whom there 
never was a more honest contractor 
breathed the pure air of Liberty township, 
took the contract to erect the building and 
furnished it for the sum of five hundred and 
ten dollars. The same year he erected a 
frame church building for the St. Michael's 
Reformed church for the sum of eight hun- 
dred dollars. This same building is now 
used for residence purposes and owned by 
Mr. Osbourne, north of Baltimore. The 
new school house in District No. 12 was 
built twenty-six feet square, of good mate- 
rial, the wainscot, desks and rostrum were 
all made of the best walnut lumber; two 
doors for entrance, one for boys and one for 
girls and a black-board that extended from 
door to door. What a contrast from the one 
2x4 in the old log school house which we 
were now about to vacate. The house was 
painted a bright red. 

"There were no planing mills in the vi- 
cinity then, so that nearly all the work had 
to be done by hand which delayed the com- 
pletion of the house until about Dec. 15th, 
which was the date named for the school 
to move across the road into the new build- 
ing and a gala day it was. As an advance 
step was now about to take place, adding 
'two Gs' to the 'three Rs.' The teacher de- 
cided to have special exercises that after- 
noon. Patrons were invited to be present 
to inspect the 'Grand Structure' and see 
and hear their children 'speak their pieces.' 
The orator of the day was a large overgrown 
boy who took his place behind the high ros- 
trum on the platform and commenced by 
saying 'Not many generations ago, where 
you now sit encircled with all that exalts and 
embellishes civilized life, the rank thistle 
nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug 



his hole unscared. Here lived and loved an- 
other race or beings. Beneath the same sun 
that rolls over your head, the Indian hunter 
pursued the panting deer, gazing on the 
same moon that smiles for you, the Indian 
lover wooed his dusky mate. Here the wig- 
wam blaze beamed on the tender and help- 
less and the council fire glared on the wise 
and daring. But what now? why sirs! the 
scenes are so changed that we this day have 
moved across the highway from a log cabin 
school house, into a commodious frame 
building, beautifully finished interior, as well 
as exterior.' 

"He continued in this train of thought for 
some time when at last he made his big bow 
to the audience and left the platform amidst 
a shout of applause. It must be understood 
that in those days the 'Literary shops' were 
not so filled with 'Literary wares' as is the 
case at the present time. 

"The* gems of oratory then were such as 
'I Met a Little Cottage Girl,' 'Oh Were You 
Ne'er a School Boy,' 'The Boy Stood on the 
Burning Deck,' 'Lazy Sheep Pray Tell Me 
Why,' 'I Like to See a Little Dog and Pat 
Him on the Head,' and never-to-be-forgot- 
ten 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,' and 
many more of like calibre. Having now 
been provided with a play ground, it would 
not be amiss to name some of the games 
played, which were with ball, bull-pen, sock- 
ball, town-ball, ante-over and Rolley-holey. 
Also, blackman, prisoner's base. Pussy 
wants a corner, poison, ring and sling, and 
no doubt others that have passed from my 
memory. 

"When the weather was too inclement to 
play out doors, 'a good teacher' allowed the 
more quiet games played in the house such 
as blind-man's bufT, button, oats, peas, beans 
and barley grows. Sometimes a mischie- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



361 



vious boy would place red pepper and snuff 
on top of the plate stone, which set scholars 
and teacher to sneezing and usually broke 
up the game. About that time the teacher 
'got busy' to find the culprit who committed 
the act, but the task proved to be almost as 
hard to find the guilty one as Roosevelt had 
to find who the guilty soldiers were that 
'shot up' Brownsville, Texas. The patrons of 
the district were ordinary farmers wdio never 
had the privilege of attending a farmers' In- 
stitute." 

"the old spellin' school" 
G. W. Kumler. 

Seven o'clock, the hour for spelling, hav- 
ing arrived, as well as the scholars dressed in 
their best, — the girls with their hair curled 
so tight they could scarcely close their 
mouths and with their highly colored plaid 
shawls and clothing heavily laden with the 
perfume of burgamot and musk that made 
them quite enchanting by the dim light of 
the candle power. 

The young man then cutting the greatest 
figure was the one having the most hair oil on 
his hair. . There was no chewing gum there, 
but the girls chewed cinnamon bark, clover, 
wintergreen or parched corn, while the young 
man that could munch candy cut quite a figure. 
This was the place of all places to get a beau, 
which truth made some young man very bold 
with his attentions, so much so, that he went 
home with "a mitten" for both hands, while 
the other fellow trotted along by the side of 
his girl with a lordly air, as you must remem- 
ber they all walked to these places, which made 
the journey last longer. 

The time having arrived for the spelling to 
begin, the teacher rapped on the window^ with 
his ferule, and things settled down "to order." 



Then the persons previously chosen to choose 
up, took their places in the middle of the room 
on the high seats which extended around on 
the three sides of the room. As the captains 
would choose and call the name of the person 
chosen, he or she would take their place and 
this continued until the supply was exhausted. 
Then the battle of words began, usually with 
"balcony" or "bacon," the teacher standing out 
in front holding a candle-stick in one hand and 
the spelling-book in the other, pronouncing the 
words. At the evening spellings, two were 
chosen to keep tally of all the words missed 
and after spelling in this way for quite a while, 
a report was made of which side beat, then re- 
cess came. 

This was the drawing card, as everybody 
went out to play ring for one half hour or 
longer. Sometimes they appointed a commit- 
tee to call on the teacher to have the time ex- 
tended when they were having such a fine time. 
I need not stop to explain the game of ring, as 
every little child fully understands it. Then, 
after recess, order having been restored, they 
were asked to take their places on the floor just 
as they had been chosen, and then the cross- 
firing in spelling began in earnest, after hav- 
ing been told to pronounce each syllable, 
though the word might be such a one as incom- 
municability. The "spelling-down" sometimes 
lasted until quite late. This having been ac- 
complished, the patrons in attendance were 
called on to make some remarks, after which 
the spelling school came to an end, which was 
one of the most interesting events of a country 
scholar's life. 

EXOCH BERRY SEITZ 

This renowned son of Fairfield county was 
born near Lancaster in 1846. He was the son 
of a farmer and was educated in the country 
schools, and in 1870 completed a course at the 



362 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Ohio Wesleyan University. He early showed 
an aptitude for difficult problems in mathe- 
matics. His friend, Prof. John S. Royer, says 
of Mr. Seitz, "Having a fondness for mathe- 
matics, he devoted his leisure hours to the 
broad fields and hidden beauties of its higher 
branches, delving deep into the mine of original 
investigation, and astonishing the world by the 
aptness with which he unfolded the beautiful 
and mysterious relations of numbers. 

"Years ago he was a subscriber to the School- 
Day Magazine, which had a mathematical de- 
partment edited by the great mathematician, 
Artemus Martin. He displayed great ingenu- 
ity and ability in solving difficult probability 
problems, and when asked what works he had 
on that difficult branch of mathematical 
science, Mr. Seitz, to the great astonishment of 
his friend, replied : 'I have no books on that 
subject, but what I know of it I learned by 
studying the problems and solutions in your 
magazine.' Here was the secret of his success. 
He first studied the principle, laid a sure foun- 
dation, upon which he afterward reared the 
magnificent edifice. He furnished over five 
hundred model solutions to the 'School 
Visitor,' which evinced those striking char- 
acteristics of his mathematical work — original- 
ity, accuracy, beauty. Many readers have 
gathered inspiration and taste for the science 
by his labor of love in this behalf. He was 
also a regular contributor to the Analyst, the 
Mathematical Visitor and the Educational 
Times of London, England. The latter has a 
department sustained by the greatest mathema- 
ticians in Europe and America. In this every- 
thing is found star light, but our lamented 
friend represented a most brilliant star, stand- 
ing upon the eminent plane side by side with 
Woolhouse, England's acknowledged mathe- 
matical champion, and in his especial branches. 
Professor Seitz had no superior in the world." 



In 1880 he was elected a member of the 
London Mathematical Society, being the fifth 
American so honored. He became professor 
of mathematics at the State Normal School of 
Kirksville, Missouri, and at the early age of 
thirty-seven, in 1883, he died, leaving an en- 
during monument in the work that he accom- 
plished. He was buried at Greenville, Darke 
county. Ohio. 

GEORGE W. WELSH 

George W. Welsh, for many years the effi- 
cient superintendent of the Lancaster public 
schools, was first appointed in February, 1869. 
Mr. Welsh had been a popular and successful 
teacher in the grammar school for the preced- 
ing two years. His high moral character, liis 
kindness and unobtrusive manner, and his am- 
bition to excel in his chosen field of labor, 
strongly recommended him to the board of 
education as a suitable person for superintend- 
ent of the schools. He was therefore elected to 
that position by a unanimous vote of the board. 
His successful management of the schools and 
the advancement and proficiency of teachers 
and pupils indicate the wisdom of the board in 
his election. Impressed with a sense of the re- 
sponsibility of his charge, he exerted to the ut- 
most all his energies in qualifying himself for 
the duties imposed upon him. Possessing an 
ardent love of literary and scientific pursuits, 
he, by assiduous study, attained an eminence 
as an educator, alike honorable to himself and 
the schools under his charge. 

Professor Welsh loved the study of science. 
He would risk his health to secure specimens 
of animal and vegetable life from marsh and 
rugged hillside. He loved astronomy and was 
a constant student of the glorious heavens. 
Lender his administration the schools steadily 
advanced. 

After ten years' service as superintendent. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



363 



Mr. Welsh resigned in 1879 to accept a posi- 
tion with the publishing house of Harper 
Brothers of New York. He remained with 
this firm one year and then resigned and was 
elected superintendent of the schools of Xenia, 
Ohio. After two years of successful work 
in the Xenia schools, he resigned to accept 
again the superintendency of the Lancaster 
schools, succeeding Mr. Knabenshue, who had 
efficiently filled the place since February, 1879. 
After one year's service, Mr. Welsh's health 
having failed, he was succeeded by Mr. J. J. 
Burns, former state commissioner of the com- 
mon schools. In 1884 Mr. Burns resigned to 
accept the superintendency of the schools of 
Dayton, Ohio. Superintendent J. J. Burns 
was one of Ohio's most gifted school men. He 
died at his home in Defiance in the autumn of 
191 1. Mr. Welsh was appointed as his suc- 
cessor and remained in charge of the schools 
for eight years. In 1892 he was succeeded by 
Mr. Elijah Burgess, who held the position un- 
til 1898. For one year following the principal 
of the high school, Mr. F. C. Coates, was act- 
ing superintendent. In 1899 Mr. Welsh was 
again chosen to take charge of the schools. 

Mr. Welsh was born at Royalton, August 
19, 1832, and was reared in Fairfield county. 
He was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah A. 
Clemens of Pickaway county. At the begin- 
ning of the Civil war he was teaching in Royal- 
ton, the place of his birth. In July, 1862, on 
the recommendation of the military committee 
of this county, he received a lieutenant's com- 
mission from Governor David Tod and with 
Alvah Perry and J. M. Sutphen recruited a 
company for the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. His regiment was sent to Kentucky 
in August, 1862, and was attached to the Army 
of the Cumberland, with which it marched and 
fought until the close of the war. Mr. Welsh 
was severely wounded at the battle of Stone 

23 



River, in Tennessee, on the last day of the year 
1862. 

Mr. Welsh served on the board of county 
examiners for a number of years, and his 
kindly helps and encouraging smile will not 
soon be forgotten. No one in Lancaster had 
more friends and no one deserved them more 
than he did. 

Professor Welsh and wife reared an inter- 
esting family, consisting of Dr. Millard Welsh, 
a successful physician of Columbus, C. E. 
Welsh, Misses Clara, Maggie (who is Mrs. 
Dan Danehy of New York city), Flora and 
Maude. 

The writer of this sketch in his boyhood was 
honored by the friendship of Professor Welsh, 
and all through the years he has not forgotten 
his kindly interest. Professor Welsh died in 
Lancaster, May 2, 1904. 

Mr. W. C. Brashares, the principal of the 
Lancaster high school, was born in 1876 in the 
little town of Gibonsville, Hocking county. 
His father was a minister, and lived in Rush- 
ville, Fairfield county, from 1886 to 1888. Mr. 
Brashares attended Otterbein University for 
several years, then taught for two years at 
King's Creek, Champaign county. Following 
this, he attended the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- 
sity at Delaware, Ohio, and received the B. A. 
degree from that institution in 1901. After 
graduation he served one year as superintend- 
ent of Salem township, Champaign county, one 
year in the high school at Miamisburg, three 
years as teacher in the high school at Lancaster 
and six years as principal. He married Miss 
Mayme Ambrose and they have two children. 
(See article on Lancaster schools in this chap- 
ter.) 

"LANCASTER LITERARY SOCIETY" 

It would be a most interesting item now, if 
we had the names of members and officers of 



364 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



that famous old Literary Society of Lancaster 
— almost as famous as "The Literary Club" of 
Dr. Johnson, Garrick, Goldsmith, Sir Joshua 
Reynolds and Boswell. 

But we are unable to find the roster of that 
distinguished group of people before whom, in 
1844, General George Sanderson delivered his 
famous address — the basis for so much of 
Fairfield's early history. General Sanderson 
wore a wig, with hair in long cue, full dress, 
high collar and stock — was tall, stately and of 
military bearing — he must have been an inter- 
esting and imposing sight as he appeared be- 
fore that literary body. It is reasonable to 
suppose that the society was composed of the 
leading men of Lancaster and of the county — 
such names as Hocking H. Hunter, John T. 
Brasee, Newton Schleigh, John M. Connel, P. 
Van Trump, Thomas Ewing, Henry Stan- 
berry, Thomas Ewing, Jr., and the two Sher- 
mans — John and William T. — and a long list 
of other distinguished members, and guests of 
the evening. 

On one occasion, it is related, the society de- 
voted the entire evening to the discussion of 
the question "What is the most beautiful single 
sentence in the English language?" As the 
members had made ample preparation, the dis- 
cussion was animated, earnest' and eloquent. 
Each member argued for the merits of some 
sentence that had enlisted his interest and 
charmed his fancy. The final decision was in 
favor of Dr. Samuel Johnson's "Rassclas." 
For those who may not be able to refer con- 
veniently to the book, w'e give the sentence 
which reads as follows : "Ye who listen with 
credulity to the whispers of fancy, and pursue 
with eagerness the phantoms of hope; who ex- 
pect that age will perform the promises of 
youth, and that the deficiencies of the present 
day will be supplied by the morrow ; attend to 
the history of Rasselas, prince of Abyssinia." 



The following names are those of supposed 
members of the Lancaster Literary Society, 
1844: Henry Stanberry, John Trafford Bra- 
see, Thomas Ewing, Hocking H. Hunter, 
Henry Arnold, George G. Beck, Hugh Boyle, 
Dr. Paul Carpenter, Rev. James Quinn, Rob- 
ert F. Slaughter, Dr. John M. Shang, Michael 
Garaghty, Samuel F. Maccracken, Col. John 
Noble, John G. Willock, R. M. Ainsworth, 
John Efiinger, William Medill, Joshua Clarke, 
Col. Philadelphia Van Trump, William J. 
Reese, John M. Creed, Judge Henry C. Whit- 
man, John M. Connell, Dr. John Williams, 
John Reber, Darius Tallmadge, Capt. Augus- 
tus F. Witte, Dr. M. L. Kreider, Dr. Edwards, 
Dr. James White. Robert H. Caffee, Dr. 
Boerstler, Dr. Bigelow, Henry Orman, Jacob 
Beck, M. A. Daugherty, Charles Borland, Dr. 
Michael Efifinger, Dr. Harvey Scott, Rev. John 
W'agenhals and Daniel Sififord. 

HISTORIANS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

The author of this volume would be ungrate- 
ful indeed, were he not to acknowledge his in- 
debtedness to those who have written the his- 
tory of the years long gone by. All honor to 
those men who rescued from oblivion the 
names, the deeds and the very lives of those 
noble pioneers who felled the forest and 
bridged the stream, and who made mountain 
plain and valley bring forth the fruits of the 
earth. 

These early writers worked under very great 
disadvantages. They had no turnpikes, rail- 
roads, telegraphs or telephones ; neither libra- 
ries nor books of reference, yet their achieve- 
ments have placed all succeeding generations 
under obligations to them. In this connection, 
especially helpful to the writer have been the 
Historical Notes of Gen. George Sanderson, 
who was himself a part of all he describes, and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



365 



equally important and helpful are the follow- 
ing historians : 

HENRY HOWE 

The pioneer of historians of Ohio was the 
well known and well beloved Henry Howe. 
His histories were most remarkable in that 
the first was written in 1847 in the vigor of his 
young manhood after having spent more than 
a year travelling over the eighty-eight counties 
of Ohio in company with John W. Barber who 
assisted in this early history. The second was 
written forty years later when Mr. Howe was 
seventy years old. He travelled over the same 
ground, made sketches of the same scenes, and 
what a contrast there was in everything in 
forty years ! This second edition was pub- 
lished in 1889 and is so valuable to Ohio, that 
the plates were purchased by the state, and each 
legislature has the right to print as large an 
edition (usually ten thousand) as they see 
fit. These books are distributed over the en- 
tire state through the senators and representa- 
tives, an effort being made to reach every 
school district in the state, thus fulfilling the 
dream of the author that a copy of his history 
should be available to every child in Ohio. 

DR. HERVEY SCOTT 

Dr. Hervey Scott wrote the first History of 



Fairfield County and it was a work of much 
merit. A sketch of Dr. Scott will be found in 
Chapter XII. This history appeared in 1876 
and it was much appreciated by the people. 
He had a most wonderful memory for inci- 
dents and events of his early life — and having 
come to Fairfield in 1836, he was well fitted to 
be the historian of the people. The book 
is full of interesting reminiscences of the early 
day, for Dr. Scott was a resident of the county 
for more than forty years and he was, there- 
fore, not only an eye witness of many of the 
events, but was himself a ])art of them. 

A. A. GRAHAM 

A. A. Graham wrote a history of Fairfield 
county in 1886 and this was published in the 
same volume with a history of Perry county. 
This history is correct, well composed and is 
valuable to the citizens. 

C. M. L. WISEMAN 

C. M. L. Wiseman, a prominent citizen of 
Lancaster and former postmaster, in 1898 
wrote the volume called "Centennial Lancas- 
ter," in which there are found very excellent 
biographies of the many noted citizens Lancas- 
ter has given to the nation. Mr. Wiseman is 
also the author of a "History of Fairfield 
County," written about the same time. 



CHAPTER XV 



PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS 



The Court Houses — City Hall — County Infirmary and Poor Farm — Fairfield County Chil- 
drens' Home — The County Fair — Old City Burial Ground, With List of Names as Re- 
corded on Gravestones — Telephones and Telegraph. 



COURT HOUSES 

Fairfield county's first court house was built 
in 1806, and occupied in 1807. Four years had 
elapsed since the first courts were held in log 
cabins. The new temple of justice was a two- 
story brick and stood in the center of Broad- 
way, on the north side of Main street. It was 
one of the first structures of the kind then com- 
plete in the state. The brick were made by 
Sosthenus McCabe — it is said at $2.50 per 
thousand. In the first story was the court 
room, the seats being arranged in amphithea- 
ter form. In the second story were two jury 
rooms, reached by a flight of winding stairs. 
The roof was conical, and "hipped." and sur- 
mounted by a balcony and steeple. A fine bell 
hung in the balcony. The building was used 
for nearly sixty years, and was condemned by 
the county commissioners in 1864 on account 
of its supposed dampness, the floor resting near 
the ground. Soon after the war it was torn 
down, and the fears of dampness proved un- 
founded, by the remarkable dryness of the 
floor lumbers. For the three year between the 
demolition of this venerable edifice and the 
completion of its successor, the commissioners 



rented the basement of the German Reformed 
church, on Chestnut street, for the sitting of 
the courts. 

At a very early day a two-story brick build- 
ing was built on the south side of Main street, 
and in the southeast part of the public square. 
This building contained four rooms, and was 
used by the county officers, for several years. 
It was called, for political reasons probably, 
the "Red Lodge," though the exact origin of 
this sobriquet is not now known. The post- 
office was kept in the lower story for a time. 
After the removal of the county offices, and 
also a small book store, the "Fairfield Tele- 
graph," newspaper was published in the up- 
per story, for about three years in connection 
with the telegraph office. 

After the removal of Judge Irwin to his 
farm south of the town, the county commis- 
sioners purchased his large brick dwelling, on 
the north side of the square and devoted it to 
county uses. This arrangement was in effect 
between 1843 ^^'^ 1850. Soon after the pur- 
chase of the property, a stone vault was built 
on the premises, conforming with a statute 
providing for the safe custody of the books 
and funds of the countv treasurers. In this 



366 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



367 



place the offices were continued until the com- 
pletion of the new court house in 1871. The 
Irwin house, known for more than twenty 
years, as the "county building," was used as a 
high school for some time after its vacation 
by the county officials, and finally sold by the 
county for five thousand dollars. 

The new court house was completed in 1871, 
about four years from the time the ground was 
first broken for the foundation. Immediately 
after the condemnation of the old court house, 
the county commissioners began to move in the 
matter of erecting a suitable court house, large 
enough to contain all the county officers. The 
choice of a site was a matter of some difficulty, 
and, while pending, occasioned much discus- 
sion. The northeast corner of Main and High 
streets was finally decided to be the most eli- 
gible site, and the ground was purchased from 
John S. Brasee for $5,000. An adjoining lot, 
on the east, was subsequently bought of John 
Randolph, and added to the first purchase. 
The whole was enclosed with a strong stone 
wall, sunnounted by an iron fence. A special 
act of the legislature was secured, which au- 
thorized a levy on the county duplicate for 
$100,000, for building the court house, and the 
funds were raised by the sale of county bonds. 
The plan was drawn by Jacob Carman, archi- 
tect, of Lancaster, who directed the construc- 
tion from the first. The cornerstone of the 
new court house was laid with appropriate 
ceremonies, and a large number of articles de- 
posited therein. Among them were the names 
of the county, state and national officials, reli- 
gious and secular newspapers, religious pam- 
phlets and books, several bottles of wine, and 
the names of the teachers and pupils of the 
Lancaster high school. When the house was 
finished, its cost was found to have exceeded 
the original appropriation by more th^in $50,- 
000, but this amount was levied and collected 



without trouble, the public being fully satisfied 
with the quality of the work. 

The Fairfield county court house is entirely 
of Waverly sandstone, quarried in sight of the 
structure, and is three stories high. The base- 
ment story is occupied by the heating appara- 
tus, rooms for storage, and the living apart- 
ments for the janitor. The main hall on the 
second floor is paved with marble, and front- 
ing it are the offices of the auditor, treasurer, 
surveyor, probate judge, and recorder of the 
county. The common pleas court room is on 
the third floor of the south end. The jury 
rooms and the county clerk's office are on the 
right and left of the hall, at the north end. 
The inside edifice is all of hard wood. From 
the roof a fine view of the city, the romantic 
country around it, and a portion of the Hock- 
ing valley is obtained. 

CITY H.^LL 

The older people of Lancaster have a mem- 
ory of a less pretentious city hall than the one 
which now graces the southeast corner of the 
public square. The old city hall was a plain 
three-story brick building, erected in 1859 "by 
the practiced city fathers for the sole purpose 
of housing Lancaster's official family, and that 
it served its day and generation is evident when 
we recite that the mayor's office, postoffice, fire 
department and city prison found space within 
its walls." The hall proper was on the second 
floor of the building and besides being used as 
a council chamber, was used for church and as 
an assembly room for merry making. The 
third floor contained the lodge rooms of the 
Odd Fellows and the German Knights of 
Pythias. 

On February 24, 1896, a bond Issue of $75- 
000 for a new city building, to occupy the same 
site as the old one, passed the council, and in 
that spring election it was carried by a large 



368 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



vote. February 22, 1897, the corner stone of 
the new building was laid and in April, 1898, 
it was dedicated. 

Lancaster is justly proud of this beautiful 
building. On the first floor are the offices of 
the mayor, city council, city clerk, gas trustees, 
gas office, water works, and, until the new fed- 
eral building was completed, the postoffice. 
The basement affords comfortable offices for 
the police court, which connects with the city 
prison, also in the basement. On the second 
floor is a fine auditorium, the public library and 
offices for the city engineer. The town clock is 
in the tower room and tells the good Lancaster 
people the flight of time. 

THE COUNTY INFIRMARY AND POOR FARM 

The county infirmary is located in Pleasant 
township, about two miles north of Lancaster. 
About 1827 the necessity for a county infirm- 
ary was felt. Previous to that time such per- 
sons as became county charges were cared for 
in their respective townships by officers called 
overseers of the poor, who let out the contract 
for the keeping of each pauper to the lowest 
bidder, such contract running one year. The 
conditions were that the mendicant should re- 
ceive adequate food, comfortable clothing and 
competent medical attendance. In 1827 it was 
realized that this plan might not care for the 
paupers properly and it was decided to build 
an infirmary. The infirmary farm consisted of 
one hundred and seventy acres of land and it 
furnished a considerable part of the support 
of the inmates. The first buildings were of 
frame, but in 1840 they were supplanted by a 
brick building. 

The Fairfield county poor fafm, upon which 
the infirmary is located now, contains two hun- 
dred and ten acres, valued at $15,000; the 
buildings are estimated to be worth $35,500. 
Further equipment including live stock and ma- 



chinery increases the total value of the poor 
farm to $58,050. The total expense of caring 
for sixty-nine paujjers was, for the year 19 11, 
$9,775.54. The net expense, exclusive of per- 
manent improvements was $5,569.89. The cost 
per annum for each inmate was $102.21. The 
board of infirmary directors, January i, 19 12, 
are Israel Fosnaugh, Lancaster; F. William 
Becker, Canal Winchester; J. T. Fricker, Lan- 
caster. The physician is Dr. F. P. Stukey. 
The efficient superintendent is John Keiser, 
and his wife, Mrs. John Keiser, officiates as 
matron. 

children's home 

Fairfield County Children's Home, lo- 
cated in Berne Township was founded in 
1883. There is a very substantial brick 
building three stories in height and a two- 
story frame dwelling connected with it. The 
location is beautiful, at the foot of a round 
wooded hill and among the fertile fields of 
Fairfield. The first tract of land purchased 
for the Home consisted of 28 acres; later 
80 acres were added and in 191 1, 23 acres 
more were purchased, making 131 acres in 
the farm. It is valued at $18,000 and the 
Iniildings are probably worth $50,000. The 
capacity of the Home is seventy and March 
I, 1912, there were fifty-eight inmates. 

The first superintendent and matron were 
Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Gillett; they were suc- 
ceeded by a son, Mr. Ed. M. Gillett and 
wife; they were followed by the present 
superintendent, Mr. Otto Groves and wife. 
In nearly thirty years there have been only 
three superintendents and this fact speaks 
volumes for their efficiency. 

There are four trustees for this institu- 
tion, two Democrats and two Republicans; 
their terms are four years each, one being 
appointed each year on the first Monday of 
March. The board at present is W. Mar- 



AxND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 369 

tens, president, Lancaster, O. ; J. B. Clay- permanent fair grounds, which he accom- 

pool, vice president, Lancaster, O. ; Samuel plished by buying a part of the farm of 

Ziegler, Pickerington ; Robert Rutter, Lan- Thomas Wright (deceased) at the foot of 

caster. Mount Pleasant, on its western side. The 

The following resume of expenses for the purchase was made from John A. Fetters, 

year ending August 31, 191 1. is interesting: administrator of Thomas Wright, and on very 

T, ^ , ^ r J . r advantageous terms to the society. The 

I otal amount of money expended for cur- ,- , 

a, 00 "fst purchase was twelve or fifteen acres, 

rent expenses $9134.88 .^, „ , , , „,._, ' 

T^ J 1 f r ■ 1 • • perhaps less. Subsequently the Widner 

Expended for furmshmg nnprove- , , , , , , , 

J . place was purchased and added to the west 

ments and repairs 1147.73 \ , , , 

™ ^ , , r 11 1 • , 01 the grounds and two or three acres from 

lotal amount of all orders issued ^^ ,f 

,, , I-, 1 • .1 Mrs. Van Pence on the north, thus making 

on the county auditor during the . 

„ ^ the aggregate of twenty-two acres, which 

year 10,282.61 ^ ^, ^ .■' , 

„ , r . . , constitute the present fair grounds, 

lotal amount of receipts paid over „, . , , . , .... 

, ,, ^ , , . , 1 he trotting park, amphitheaters, exhibi- 

to the county treasurer during the . , ,, . , , ,, , 

^ ^ tion halls, music stand and all other appoint- 

year i ,076.64 / , , r , , , 

^T ments of the grounds are of the best, and 

Net cost to county 9205.07 ? ,,,■,, 

. , •, , / have been engineered and executed by skill- 
Average daily attendance 55 4/73 , , , „ , ^ ^, 

° .' z, , lul and competent men. rrom the nrst the 

Per capita cost $167.21 . c r- ■ c w r- ^ u .1 <.u 

citizens of 1- airfield County have taken the 

THE COUNTY FAIR matter of their Fair in hand with a pride and 

r_, . . . , , r , , . zeal, nowhere surpassed; nor has the inter- 

II his interesting sketch of the early his- . , n ■ . 1 . 

, , „ „ . . , . r, . est at any time seemed to nag in the least. 

tory of the County rair is taken from Scott s t^ • , , ^• 

/ . „ . / . „ ^ During recent years a systematic course 

History of Fairfield County. 1 r , i , • , 1 1' r ^1 

■' ■' ^ of bookkeeping has been kept up, from the 

The Fairfield County Agricultural Society pages of which some extracts are here in- 

was first organized in 185 1, and held its first troduced. Mr. Reber, first president, served 

Fair in October of that year. John Reeber in that capacity for several years, then was 

was president, and John S. Brasee, secre- out, and subsequently again elected, 

tary. The first fair ground was on the west In 1868 which begins the regular records, 

side of Columbus street, on lands belonging John S. Brasee was president, and John G. 

to John Reeber, lying a little south of the Reeves, secretary. 

reservoir. The Fair was a flattering success; In 1869, John Reeber was elected presi- 

but, owing to the disordered and lost state dent, and John G. Reeves continued secre- 

of the papers, it has been impossible to ob- tary; John C. Weaver, treasurer, 

tain statistics of that, or several of the subse- In 1870, John Reeber was president; John 

quent years. Nevertheless, the society has G. Reeves, secretary; and John C. Weaver, 

held its annual fairs in the month of October treasurer. 

for 61 years, and the institution has grown In 1871 B. W. Carlisle was president; 

into one of the best county fairs in the State. John G. Reeves, secretary; John C. Weaver, 

In 1852 Mr. Reeber, as president, was treasurer, 

vested by the board with power to purchase In 1872 Andrew J. Musser was president; 



370 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

John G. Reeves, secretary; and William The total amount paid by the society in 

Noble, treasurer. the items of premiums, as shown by the 

In 1873 Andrew J. Musser was president; treasurer's report, was $2,800.50. 

John G. Reeves, secretary; and William The receipts of the society for the year 

Noble, treasurer. 1876 from all sources, as furnished by the 

In 1874 Joseph C. Kinkead was president; treasurer, S. J. Wolf, was $6,001.31, and the 

John G. Reeves, secretary; and William expenditures for all purposes, for the same 

Noble, treasurer. year $5,888.42, leaving a balance in the 

In 1875 Joseph C. Kinkead was president; treasury of $112.89. 

William Davidson, secretary; and William The Fairfield County Agricultural Society 

Noble treasurer. is one of the most successful organizations of 

In 1876 T. W. Busby was president; Wil- its kind in the United States. Always keep- 

liam Davidson, secretary; and S. J. Wolf, ing abreast of the times, each succeeding 

treasurer. year sees many additions and improvements. 

In 1876-80 Isaac Claypool was president; The officers are among Fairfield County's 

William Davidson, secretary; and S. J. most substantial citizens. This society is 

Wolfe treasurer. strictly a mutual one and any resident of the 

In 1880-81, A. B. Gillet was president. county who purchases tickets to the amount 

The first financial showing on the avail- of $1.00 and signs the society's constitution 

able records is the total cost of the erection may become a member and be entitled to vote 

of two amphitheaters in the year 1873, at its next annual election. The contests in 

which was $2,115.57. every department are singularly fair and clean 

In 1874, the Art and Horticultural Hall and never has a premium been awarded that 

was erected at a total cost as shown by the was not justly and fairly earned. The rules 

report of the building committee of $3,- and regulations of the society have been 

1 1 1.50. Other improvements and expendi- carefully drawn to meet the demands of a 

tures for the same year, not including pre- particular public and have been enforced in 

miums awarded, amounted to $927.39. both their letter and their spirit. Contests in 

For the year 1874, the total receipts of the the various departments are often close and 

society from all sources were ....$10,369.15 extremely difficult for the judges to award 

Total expenditures for the same decisions but the people of Fairfield are 

year 10,631.15 broadminded and intelligent and realizing 

— ■ ■ — these difficulties have rarely ever taken ex- 
Showing a deficit of 262.00 ceptions to the decisions of the awarding 

Then due the society from various judges. 

sources 262.69 The prospects for the Fairfield County 

Deduct the deficit 262.00 Agricultural Society are very bright. The 

policy of the society is to have a late fair, al- 

Balance in Treasury .69 ways in October. In 191 1, the Fair was held 

This was the settlement on the first of De- on the nth, 12th, 13th and 14th of October, 

cember, 1874, which shows the financial con- The Agricultural Society is organized under 

dition at the beginning of the year 1875. the State Laws for County Fairs and the title 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



371 



for the 70 acres in tlie heart of Lancaster 
vakied at $100,000 rests in the county. 

Notwithstanding a fire loss of $15,000 in 
1910, in 1912 there is a balance in the treas- 
ury of $2,978.75. In 191 1 the premiums 
amounted to $7,132.41. 

The entire receipts that year were $17,- 
360.65 — from the following sources. Gate 
receipts, $10,308.00; privileges, $3,348.20; 
entry fees, $2,281.35; rents, $336.70; and the 
remainder from miscellaneous sources. After 
paying $1,500 on the debt, the year was 
closed with a balance of $2,978.75. These 
figures show the prosperity of this organiza- 
tion. 

The officers of 1912 are as follows: Pres- 
ident, George L. Trimmer, Lancaster ; vice 
president, E. L. Ashbrook, Amanda; secre- 
tary, W. T. McClenihan, Lancaster; assistant 
secretary, T. T. Courtright, Lancaster; and 
treasurer, C. B. Whiley, Lancaster. The di- 
rectors are : Allen J. Friesner, Lancaster, R. 
F. D. ; Herman Becker, Carroll ; Charles H. 
Creed, Lancaster; J. M. Glick, Canal Win- 
chester, W. E. Armstrong, Stoutsville; D. W. 
Alt, Baltimore ; Charles Embich, Lancaster, 
R. F. D. ; Robert Rutter, Lancaster, R. F. D. ; 
Mr. Trout, Cedar Hill; Fred Kuhl, Amanda; 
Cyrus Mechling, Lancaster; Fred Ruff, Lan- 
caster, R. F. D. ; and Grant Griffith, Hooker. 

TELEPHONES AND TELEGRAPHS 

The following excellent article from Mr. 
William F. O'Gara, general manager, gives 
the origin and history of the telephone and 
telegraph in Fairfield county. The account 
also serves in part as a sketch of Mr. O'Gara's 
life and work. He is one of the most ex- 
pert telegraph operators in the country and 
has long held a leading place among high 
grade telegraphers. — (Editor.) 

"You will find in going over the history of 



the telephone business in Ohio, that Fairfield 
county is the best developed county in the 
state, and the only county which gives free 
service between all of the exchanges in the 
county. All of these exchanges are connected 
up with the Bel! long-distance lines, so it does 
not make any difference in what remote part 
of the county you are, you can be connected 
with any point that these lines reach and get 
good and satisfactory service, as all of the 
farmer lines are constructed up to the Bell 
standard of construction. In the organiza- 
tion of these companies I made an effort to 
demonstrate by local ownership what bene- 
fits could be derived, I therefore succeeded in 
getting the fanners to subscribe for the stock 
to furnish the money with which I constructed 
these various plants and put them in opera- 
tion. 

Before organizing the local exchanges, I 
constructed lines running into the country, 
first connecting Amanda, Pleasantville, Rush- 
ville and Sugar Grove. It took some little 
time to get the farmers to take hold and try 
the use of a telephone, but in a short time 
after they commenced to put them in their 
homes, as I was compelled to put them all on 
one circuit, the lines became too crowded, 
I was forced to adopt some other means by 
which telephone service could be furnished 
to farmers and sold the stock to local peo- 
ple with which to do the work. 

The Companies 

The Carroll Telephone Company with capi- 
tal stock of $5,000.00, Carroll, Ohio. Board 
of Directors : O. B. Brandt, pres., John Gib- 
boney. Dr. Brown, Jos. P. Gundy, P. J. O. 
Kemerer. J. C. Bowman, Wm. F. O'Gara, 
secy, and genl. m'gr. Number of subscribers, 
190. 

The next company organized was Tlie 



372 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Amanda Bell Telephone Co., August, 1904. 
Capital stock $20,000.00. Board of Direct- 
ors, — Wm. F. O'Gara, genl. m'gr., Fred L. 
Mauger, Theo. Lape, pres., Emmett Defen- 
baugh, secy., John Meyers, Thos. J. Barr, 
treasr., Sam'l. Simons. This company has 
400 subscribers. 

The Sugar Grove Telephone Company was 
organized in December, 1904. Capital stock, 
$5,000.00. Board of Directors, — Dr. Mason, 
Wm. F. O'Gara, genl. m'gr, Harry Anderson. 
Wm. Blum, Chas. Carr, secy. Number of 
subscribers, 182. 

The Rushville Bell Telephone Company 
was organized in January, 1905. Capital 
stock, $10,000.00. Board of Directors, — B. 
A. Thomas, pres., R. W. Hyde, secy., McC. 
Brinckley, John Morrow, Colson Linville, 
Wm. F. O'Gara, genl. m'gr. Number of 
subscribers, 220. 

The Buckeye Lake Home Telephone Com- 
pany was organized in March, 1906. Capi- 
tal stock, $25,000.00. Board of Directors, — 
L. H. Soliday, pres., W. T. Kemp. H. E. 
Clark, G. W. Reincheld, M. H. Hamilton, 
Wm. F. O'Gara, genl. m'gr, Lewis P. Hoff- 
man, E. N. Heston, W. H. Lamb, Clarence 
Lamb, John Culp, Geo. Haver, Levi Hite, 
Michael Soliday. This company takes in the 
northern portion of Fairfield County — Pleas- 
antville, Baltimore, Basil, New Salem, Mil- 
lersport and Reservoir. Number of sub- 
scribers, 861. 

In order to be able to give every farmer his 
trading point it was necessary for me to or- 
ganize The Farmers Independent Company of 
Canal Winchester, capital stock $25,000.00, 
and also The Pataskala Farmers Independent 
Telephone Company, capital stock $10,- 
000.00. Both of these companies are in suc- 
cessful operation, the Pataskala farmers re- 
taining stock in their plant, but the Canal 



Winchester farmers did not give the move- 
ment the encouragement which was met with 
in other localities and the stock was all taken 
up by the Bell Company. 

A COMPLETE LIST OF GRAVES AS RECORDED ON 
THE TOMBSTONES IN OLD CITY BURIAL 
GROUND ADJOINING THE OLD M. E. CHURCH 

Sturgeon. 

1. Margaret, wife of Timothy Sturgeon; 
died May 15, 1853, aged 75 years, 5 months, 
21 days. 

2. Timothy Sturgeon ; died January 3, 1827, 
aged 48 years, 10 days. 

3. James Wilson, son of Timothy and 
Margaret Sturgeon: died January 12, 1815, 
aged 8 years, i month, 10 days. 

4. Mary, daughter of Timothy and Mar- 
garet Sturgeon; died January 11, 1815, aged 
3 years, 

5. Joseph, son of Timothy and Margaret 
Sturgeon; died February 12, 181 — . 

6. Timothy, son of Timothy and Margaret 
Sturgeon ; died , aged 7 weeks. 

7. Jane, daughter of Timothy and Margaret 
Sturgeon; died October 11, 1828. 

Sififord. 

8. Ellen, daughter of Daniel and Effie Sif- 
ford; died May i, 1835, aged 2 years, 4 
months, 18 days. 

10. F. S. (no other inscription). 

Wright. 

11. Edward, son of John and Jane 
Wright, died August 2, 1822, aged 4 years, 8 
months, 11 days. 

12. Margaret, daughter of John and Jane 
Wright, died August 2, 1822, aged 4 years, 8 
months and 3 days. 

13. Erected by John W^. Wright of Lo- 
gansport, Ind., A. D. 1862. 

14. Efifie, daughter of James and H. 




o i 



a 

CO 

X 
o 



H 




a 
> 

H 

O 

a 

•■■. 

> 

> 

> 

ri 





AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



375 



Wright; died March 25, 1823, aged 17 
years. 

McFarland. 

15. Elizabeth McFarland; died December 
21, 1818, aged 58 years. 

Maccrachen. 

16. Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Samuel F. 
and Sarah A. Maccrachen; died June 19, 
1833, aged I year, 20 days. 

17. Samuel Finley, son of Samuel and 

Sarah A. Maccrachen ; died , aged 7 

weeks. 

18. Infant son of Samuel and Sarah A. 



Ring. 

31. Joseph, son of George and Rachael 

Ring; died 19, 1818, aged 5 years, 6 

months, 19 days.' 

T,2. "R. E." (No other inscription). 

33. Elizabeth Ring, aged 6 months. 

34. Mary Ring, aged ? 

Williams. 

35. Wallace V., son of William E. and 
Mary Williams; died August 11, 1836, aged 
34 years, 4 months. 

Smith. 

36. George W. Smith, died September 29, 



19. William, son of S. and S. Maccrachen; 1821, aged 28 years, 2 months, 27 days. 

37. Robt. Smith; died March 9, 1815, 
aged 60 years. 



died February 24, 1824, aged 3 months 

Hettich. 

20. John Hettich, died August 6, 183 1. 
Wood. 

21. Daniel B. Wood, born June , 

1807, died November 12, 1833. 

Myers. 

22. Mrs. R. M. Myers, consort of George 
Myers; born June 26, 1810, died February 2, 

1834- 

23. Infant son of George and R. M. My- 
ers; died March 11, 1831. 

24. John M., son of George and R. M. 
Myers, died September 26, 1833, aged i year, 
3 months. 

25. "Flora" (broken stone). 

Rice. 

26. Rachael, daughter of James and Alace 
Rice; born 1823; died ( ?) 

27. Rachael, daughter of James and Alace 
Rice; died June 9, 1823, aged i year. 

28. Alace, daughter of James and Alace Smith. 

Rice; born ( ?) ; died July 8, 1831. 45. Mary, consort of James Smith; died 

29. David ( ?) ; died June 26, 1817. January 26, 1832, aged 78 years. 

30. Jonathan — — (?); died June 28, 1817. 46. "M. S. (no other inscription). 



Wood. 

38. William Wood, died November 8, 
1830, aged 35 years, i month, 16 days. 

39. Jane ? (no other inscription). 

Wright. 

40. Elizabeth, wife of John Wright, 

(?) Baker. 

41. George, son of Phillip and Margaret 
Baker; died September 16, 1824, aged 22 
years. 

42. Hannah, wife of William, ( ?) 

Cox. 

43. James Cox, died (?) 1818. 

- (stone broken) 



Catherine, daughter of - 

Van Pelt. 

44. James B., son of Henry and Susan 
Van Pelt; died June 16, 1829, aged 6 months, 
9 days. 



376 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Knause. Ury. 

47. Francis Knause; died January 14, 60. Christian Ury; died March 27, 1837, 
1812; aged 29 years, 6 months, 3 weeks, 6 aged 66 years. 

days. (Long inscription on this stone). Boose 

Little. 61. Jacob Boose, of Basil, Switzerland; 

48. Caroline, wife of George Little; died died June 4, 1818, aged 82 years, 5 months, 
February 7, 1840, aged 61 years, 8 months, 12 days. 

28 days. 62. "J. and R." (no other inscription). 

40. George Little; died December 22, 1816, . 

^^ " Irvina. 

aged 45 years, 2 months, 21 days. ^^ ^^^^^ Elizabeth, daughter of William 



50. G (?) son of (?) 



W. and Elizabeth B. Irvina; died February 



Hanson. 8, 1823, aged 8 years. 

51.' William N. Hanson; died August I, ^^ 

1828, aged 5 months, 3 days. 64. Dr. Ezra Clarke; died November 27, 

52. Alice, consort of H.ram Hanson; died ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ 

July 21, 1828. 

Daughter. 

^'^'^°'^- . . r 6s. Infant daughter of Adam and Sarah 

c^ De Witt Clmton Augustme, son of / -,x , ^ 1 o ^- a 

JJ- ^ ,- , A •, 00 (?); born December 21, 1813; died 

Mary Evaline Wilcox; died April 30, 1828, "- " 

aged 2 years, 10 months. 

Linn. 

^""*^^''- ,. , r^ , 66. Colesta, daughter of Joseph M. and 

KA. Joseph Hunter; died September 10, iir t ,;■ ^ c^ k 

54. JW3C1.. , r Marvena W. Linn; died September , 

1826, aged 73 years. 1831. Amanda, daughter of J. M. and M. W. 

55. Dorothy, wife of Joseph Hunter; died ^f ^.^^ ^^ 

September 19, 1861, aged 82 years. Joseph Manervaw W., consort of Joseph M. 

and Dorothy Hunter were the first white im- ^.^^'^ 
migrants to this country May 7, 1798. 

56 Mary Hauffler, daughter of Joseph and Torrence. 

Dorothy Hunter, died November 18, 1838. 68. Dr. E. Torrence; died April 4, 1823. 

aged 39 years. Matlack. 

o -,, 69. Mary, consort of Samuel Matlack; 

57. Betsy Smith, wife of John Smith; died -(?)• 

January ? Eoulion. 

o^ • . 70. Thomas M., son of Franklin and Ra- 

58.' Nancy Strip, consort of Jacob Strip; chael Eoulion ; died January 3, 1836. 

died Ma — ( ?) 8, 1823, aged 63 years. Peck. 

■D 71. William B. Peck; died August 29, 

59. Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Cath- ^^^^' ^S^^ ^3 years, 

erine Boose; died August 11, 1808, aged 17 Walker, 

years. 72. Ann Louisa, daughter of Daniel and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 377 

Eliza Walker; died July 6, 1824, aged 4 Stein. 

months, 21 days. 84. William Hutton Stein, of German- 

p j^ town. Pa. (This stone sunken so that age 

72,. Charles Crook; died , 1829, aged ^"^ ^^^^'^^ '^^"""^ ^^ deciphered). 

• Weiz. 

74. Rudolph er; died September 16, g^ Elizabeth Catherine, daughter of 

1812, aged 46 years. George and Catherine Weiz ; died December 

Hunter. 25, 1822, . 



75. Mary, wife of Wm. Hunter; died July 86. John Christopher, son of Geo. and 
12 1829. Catherine Weiz; died August 26, 1833. 

87. Infant son of Geo. and Catherine 

^°""&- Weiz; died July 10, 1834. 

76. , son of Jacob and Caroline 

Young; died March 6, 1836, aged 5 years, 5 Tripp. 

months, 5 days. 88. Lorenzo D. Tripp, son of Jesse and 

-.... Omy Tripp ; died July 24, 1825, aged 3 years 

, Tir-i 1- . o and 28 days. 

yy. Samuel Wilson; died 2y, 1815. ■' 

Maynard. Shugert. 

78. Elizabeth G., wife of Rev. William 89- Sarahaihue, daughter of John and 
Maynard, and daughter of E. Connell; died J^ne Shugert; died September 4, 1835, aged 
September 22, 1845, aged 20 years, 27 days. ^ y^^^' 3 months. 

79. Connell, son of Rev. and E. Maynard; 90. Charles G. Shugert, son of Zach and 
died February 20, 1846, aged 18 months, 16 Sarah Shugert; died February 5, 1826, aged 
^ 8 years, 6 months 4 days. 

91. Margellin, daughter of Zach and 

^°''§"^"- Sarah Shugert; died March 10, 1825, aged 2 

80. Wesley, son of John and Ann Mor- ^^^^^^ ^ months. 10 days. 

gan; died September 14, 1831, aged 6 years, ' ^, Thomas, son of Zach and Sarah Shu- 

^^ '^^y^- gert ; died November 8, 1824, aged 5 years, 

81. Samuel, son of John and Ann Mor- g n^^nths, 19 days, 
gan; died September 12, 1831, aged i year, 

2 months. Armstrong. 

82. William, son of John and Ann Mor- 93- John Armstrong died November 2, 
gan; died August 17, 1824, aged 6 months, 1825, aged 13 years, 8 months. 

II days. Renche. 

l^(.Lg 94. Elizabeth, consort of Joseph Renche ; 

83. John, son of Joseph and Sarah Mc- died September 8, 1831, aged 65 years. 

^^ • Gregory. 

McCleery. 95. Erected by M. B. Gregory, to the 

Died August 29, , aged 4 years, 23 memory of his mother, who died May 28, 

days. 1828, aged 26 years. 



378 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

White. Lyle. 

96. Catherine C. White, daughter of Dr. 109. David Lyle, died March 27, , 

James and Maria White; died August 19, aged 19 years. 

1835, aged 4 years. ^^^^^^^^ 

Young. no. Harry C. Hunter, son of Wilham 

97. John M., son of Sarah and Abraham Hunter. (Monument sunken.) 

Young. 

Cissya. 

Wark. III. Margaret Cissya, died June 8, 1824. 

98. Henry, son of Joseph and Nancy 

Wark. K""*^''- 

112. Ehza, wife of \\ m. Hunter; died 

Hunter. September 14, 1823. 

99. Henry Hunter; died October 14, 1821, 

aged 8 years, 9 months, 24 days. ^' 

100. Mary, wife of John Hunter, Sr. ; died "3- Mrs. Mana Shockley. consort of Mr. 
January 23, 1835, aged 63 years, 5 months, ^^f ^^^ Shockley; died September 4, 1821, 

t aged 18 years, 2 months, 21 days. 

loi. John Hunter; died September 10, McCabe. 

1842, aged — years, — months, 14 days. 114. Sarah Jane McCabe; born October 

Qrubb • ^°' ^^31. died August 22, 1833. 

102.' EHzabethGrubb; died November 23, "S- Wilham McCabe; born March 11, 

1837, aged 30 years. ^800, died June 17, 1833. 

White. C'^"^- 

103. Mrs. Tracy White, wife of Rev. Wm. "6. Thomas, son of Robt. and Susan Cis- 
White; died August 29, 1823. "^^ ^''^^ September 9, 1828, aged 4 years, i 

month, 16 days. 
Cox. 

104. E. Hily, daughter of Towm and Re- Green. 

becca Cox; died May 30, 1821, aged i year. n?- Mrs. Sarah Green, died November i, 

^hite. ^^-5. aged 40 years. 

105. John M. White, died April i, 1827, Shockley. 

aged 33 years, 4 months, 7 days. 118. Geo. D. Shockley, died April 7, 1835, 

106. , son of Timothy and Rebecca aged 42 years, 8 months. 

Cox, died August 2, 1830, aged 11 years, 8 Moon 

months, 10 days. uc, Mrs. Sarah Moon, consort of David 

Young. C. Moon; died October i, 1832, aged 32 

107. W'illiam Young, died August 6, 1824. years. 

p j 120. An infant daughter, Sarah P., Octo- 

108. Margaret, wife of Michael Pugh; ^^^ ^5- 1843. 
died December 25, 1822, aged 45 years, 3 Mighill-Dustin. 

months. 121. William Mighill, son of Rev. N. and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



379 



Mary B. Dustin; died March i, 1847, aged i Smith. 



134. Nancy Smith, consort of George 
Smith, died February 18, 1825, aged 26 
years, 3 months. 

135. Sophia, daughter of George and 
Nancy Smith. 

Kenearter. 

136. WilHam Kenearter, died May 10, 
1834- 

Binkley. 

137. Rubecca, daughter of Jacob and Ma- 
hallah Binkley, died October 27, 1824, aged 
I month, 25 days. 

138. John A., son of Jacob and Ehzabeth 



month, I day. 

Clarke. 

122. Rev. John Clarke, died April 12, 
1850, aged 78 years, 10 months, 24 days. 

Foster. 

123. John Wesley, son of David and Ra- 
chael Foster; died June 15, 1847, aged 5 
months. 

124. Sarah Jane, daughter of David and 
Rachael Foster, died April 25, 1855, aged 12 
years. 

McNeil. 

125. Infant daughter and son of Samuel Binkley, died July 31, 182 — , aged 16 years, 
and Ellen McNeil. 4 months. 

126. Maria and Robt., daughter and son of Qagpin 

Samuel and Ellen McNeil. (No date.) ^^^ L„„isa, daughter of Robt. O. Claspill 

Strode. and Ruth Ann Claspill, died March 8, 1841, 

127. George A., son of James and Nancy aged 2 years, 6 months. 

140. Robert O. Claspill, died February 23, 
1844, aged 39 years. 

Binkley. 

141. Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Binkley, died 
September 1 1, 1822. 

Searle. 

142. Frances Caroline, daughter of Thos. 
and Mary Searle; died June 26, 1839, aged 14 
years, 11 months, 16 days. 



Strode; died October 21, 1823. 

Deitrich. 

128. Elizabeth, wife of Jacob D. Deitrich, 
died July 14, 1868, aged 87 years, 1 1 months. 
21 days. 



Arnold. 

129. Daniel Arnold, died March 22, 1844, 
aged 69 years, 4 months. 2 days. 

130. Catherine, wife of Daniel Arnold, 
died . 1858, aged 81 years, i month, 25 McElroy. 

J 143. Elizabeth, wife of Hugh McElroy; 

died September 4, 1827, aged 32 years. 
Richman. 14^ jujja Ann, daughter of Thomas and 

131. John Richman, died September 10, ]y,jary Searle. died March 12, 1832, age 21 



184—, aged 75 years. 

132. Ann Richman, died January 17, 1842, 
aged 79 years. 

Devore. 

133. Nancy Devore, died July 22, 184 — , 
aged 43 years, 1 1 months, 8 days. 



years. 

Smith. 

145. Benj. Harrison Smith, died August 
18, 1 818. age 58 years. 

146. Elizabeth Smith, died February 22, 
1837, aged 75 years. 



380 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Creed. 

147. Margaret, wife of John Creed, died 
September 11, 1823, aged 31 years. 

148. John Creed, died April 27, 1843, 
aged 63 years. 

Reid. 



Yale. 

160. Stephen Yale, died June 7, 1827, aged 
30 years. 

161. Eliza Reber, consort of Stephen Yale; 
died September 10, 1824, aged 49 years, 2 
months, 15 days. 



149. Harriet C. Reid, consort of John Reed, Walter. 



died July 7, 1840, aged 22 years, 11 months, 
23 days. 

Clififord. 

150. Eliza CliflFord, consort of Thos. Clif- 
ford. 

151. With her infant by her side; died De- 
cember 21, 1839, aged 24 years, 3 months, 20 
days. 



162. James Walter; died May 10, 1838, 
aged 86 years, 2 months, 23 days. 

Reber. 

163. Mary Reber, died August 26, 1824, 
aged 14 years, 10 months, 30 days. 

164. Sarah, consort of Peter Reber; died 
November 26. 1823, aged 41 years, 9 months 
and II days. 

165. Infant child of Peter and Sarah 
Reber; died October 6, 1825. 



Macdonald. 

152. Sarah, consort of Wm. Macdonald; Walter 

died September 18, 1857, aged 71 years. 166. John S. Walter. (Stone sunken.) 

153. Walter Macdonald, died October 19, 

1866, aged 73 years, 3 months, 27 days. ^ %-,,-, »«• j- j t^ l 

' ^ '^ ^ • ■J > / J jg^ Ezekheil Massey, died December i, 

Smith. 1844, aged 78 years, 11 months, 4 days. 

154. James H. Smith, died August 9, 1836, Weaver. 

aged 32 years. 168. Christopher Weaver, died July 6, 

Hutchings. ^8-9. ^ged 19 years. 

155. William Hutchings, died August 15, Ballard. 



1849, aged 39 years, 5 months, 1 1 days. 

Hogan. 

156. James Latamus, son of Denonia C. 
and Nancy Hogan; died Dec. 8, 1820, aged 6 
months, 26 days. 

Walter. 

157. Infant son of John and Belinda Wal- 
ter, died April 20, 1827. 

158. Mary Jane Walter, daughter of John Miller; died October 6, 1842, aged 2 years, 
and Bolinda Walter; died April 26, 1837, 26 days. 

aged 5 years, 4 months, 15 days. 173. Adelbert, son of G. K. and M. Miller, 

159. James Walter, died May 10, 1838, died September 23, 1842, aged 10 months, 20 
aged 86 years, 2 months, 23 days. days. 



169. Maria Antonette and Blanche. 

170. Hulda, children of J. E. and Eliza- 
beth Ballard; born June 17, 1857, died Au- 
gust 12, 1857. 

Miller. 

171. Mary, daughter of G. K. and M. Mil- 
ler: died March 2^, 1850, aged i year, i 
month, 3 days. 

172. Lavina, daughter of G. K. and M. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 381 

174. Catherine, daughter of G. K. and M. 188. Paulina Kuntz, born March 25, 1835; 
Miller; died April 13, 1835, aged 7 months, died January i, 1837. 

17 days. 189. Stone marked "H. C. R." 

Devore. Manson. 

175. Lucinda Devore, died January 18, igo. Christian S., son of William and 
1842; born September 23, 1838. Sarah A. Manson, died January 16, 1838, 
Meirs. aged 2 years. 

176. Ann Eliza, daughter of John K. and Q;]jv,pn 

Rebecca Meirs; died July 29, 1841, aged 3 jg,_ Nathaniel C. Oilman, died December 

years, 8 months, 12 days. jg^ ^g^g^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ 

Reese. „, , 

„ . , „ „ 1- 1 T-v L Shoemaker. 

177. David Reese, Sn, died December 30, ^, , , ^ . ^^ . 
o , 192. iheodore. son of Isaac and Henn- 

' ' etta Shoemaker; died December 9, 1843, 

Kreider. aged 5 years. 

178. Daniel Kreider, died March 6, 1837, 

aged 26 years. Kauffman. 

179. John Kreider, died July 7, 1834, aged I93- Infant son of George and Henrietta 
27 years. P- Kauffman, died July 28, 1831. 

180. Daniel Kreider, born July 25, 1771 ; Spenner 

died April 6, 1844. 1^4 B. Spenner. (No dates.) 

These inscriptions all on one stone : Kauffman, 

195. Maria Elizabeth, daughter of George 

181. Ethelberta Minerva Kreider, born ^^^ ^ Kauffman; died February 6, 1836, 
February 28, 1828; died July 20, 1842. ^^^^ ^ months, 5 days. 

182. Sidney Ann Kreider, born December 

2, 1798; died February 24, 1843. White. 

183. Oliva Salome Kreider, daughter of 196- Jessie White. (Inscription worn off.) 
M. Z. Kreider; born July 21, 1826; died May Renshaw. 

II, 1844. IQ7. Joseph Renshaw, died September ID, 

Erected by M. Z. Kreider, to the memory jg^j^ ^ged 68 years. 

of his wife and daughter. jq8_ Ann M. Renshaw, died December 14, 

Kuntz. 1862, aged 61 years. 

184. James Rufus Kuntz, born August 8, j^^abenshue. 

1832; died May 7, 1835. ^^^ Elizabeth, consort of John Knaben- 

185. Martha Kuntz, born March 8, 1834; ^^^^^ ^-^^ January 23, 1836. 
died September 22, 1834. 

186. John Marshall Kuntz, born Septem- Murphy. 

ber I, 1828; died June 3, 1833. 200. Rebecca, daughter of John and Re- 

187. Isaac Kuntz, died August 11, 1836, becca Murphy; died June 4. 1834, aged 10 
aged 33 years, 9 months, 23 days. years. 



28 



382 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Towson. Binkley. 

201. Priscilla wife of H. H. Towson; died 214. Eva Binkley, died August 26, 1850, 
April 19, 1865, aged 73 years. aged 84 years. 

215, 216, 217, 218. Edward, Robert, Hor- 

•'^^^^^'- ace and Randolph, children of ( ?) 

202. Rosanna Medill, consort of Samuel 

Medill; died November 12, 1841, aged 47 Weatherby. 

years. -^9- John, son of Nathan and Mary Wea- 
therby; died September 10, 1829, aged 8 years. 
Lees. 

203. Mary Ann, consort of Robt. Lees; Wilson. 

died November 17, 1834, aged 30 years. -220. Charles Leeds, son of Hartshorn and 

Lydia Wilson, died April 28, 1838, aged -i 

Myrmger. ,, 

"^ niontns. 

204. Catherine Amelia, daughter of C. and 

Eliza Myringer; died December 10, 1838, Rhodes. 

aged II months, 11 days. 221. Lucretia Rhodes, died October 28, 

1846, aged 28 years. 

Hall. ^ ^ 

205. Co — , daughter of ( ?) Hall. 222. Infant son of L. and T. C. Rhodes; 

died October 2^, 1845, aged 3 months. 
Searles. 

206. Mary Elizabeth, daughter of John and Herman. 

Mary Ann Searles; died March 22, 1835, 223. James Herman, died March 19, 1843. 

aged II years. ' 224. Andrew Herman, died January 14, 

1842, aged 24 years. 

' XT,- u ., •.- s n r> c vu 225. Daniel G. Herman, died April 5, 1843, 

207. Elizabeth, wife of Geo. R. Smith, .-^ t- j. to. 
, r. r, , aged 19 years. 

died February 28, 1844, aged 59 years. 

208. George Smith, died May 17, 1847, Wright. 

aged j^ years. 226. Thomas Wright, died March 3, 1848, 

Lantz. "^^^ 59 years. 

209. Thomas G., son of P. and P. Lantz; Shugert. 

died November 13, 1848, aged 8 months. 22j. Zachriah Shugert, died August 28, 

210. Susan, wife of Phillip Lantz, died 1850, aged 60 years. 
May 13, 1846, aged 33 years. Wright. 

Ingmond. 228. Lydia Wright, wife of Thomas 

211. William Ingmond, died January 30, Wright, died July 29, 1842, aged 45 years. 
1847, aged 73 years. Littler. 

Philbrek. 229. Jane Caroline, daughter of S. ( ?) 

212. Mary Ann, wife of F. G. Philbrek; Littler; died June 20, 1841, aged 6 years. 
died November 3, 1844, aged 19 years, 11 230. Harriet C, daughter of Samuel and 
months. Nancy Littler, died September 4, 1838, aged 

213. Broken column. (No names.) i year, 11 months. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



383 



Hilton. 

231. Frances Jane, consort of Abraham 



Fitzer. 

-245. Frances Fitzer, born March 17, 



Hilton; died January i, 1834, aged 46 years. 1797; died January 8, 1853. 

246. William Fitzer, died April 12, 1842, 



Pomeroy. 

232. Harriet Ann, daughter of E. S. and 
Mary Pomeroy; died September 3, 1821. 

233. W. M. (Only letters on stone.) 

Schoff. 

234. Elmira Schoff, aged 6 months. 

235. Rosanna Schoff, aged 2 days. 

Clark. 

236. Mary Ann, wife of Jacob Schoff and 
daughter of Louis L. Clark; died June 10, 
1843. 

Vorys. 

2t;j. Thalia Izabelle, daughter of Isaiah 9 years, 
and Mary Vorys; died September 22, 1845, 251. Jane Ann, daughter of William and 



aged 39 years. 

Michaels. 

247. Susan, daughter of Samuel and Ann 
Michaels, died March 28, 1856, aged 8 years. 

Sites. 

248. John W. Sites, died July 2, 1847, 
aged 2^ years. 

Richards. 

249. Sarah, daughter of W. and L. Rich- 
ards; died June 9, 1813. 

250. Susan, daughter of William and 
Lydia Richards, died October 28, 1838, aged 



aged I year, 6 months. 

238. Sarah Jane, daughter of I. and M. 
■ Vorys; died August 28, 1843, aged 6 years, 

8 months, 3 days. 

Osford. 

239. William T. Osford, died May 8, 1842, 
aged 6 years, 2 months. 

Coates. 

240. George W., son of Nelson and Cath- 
erine Coates; died June 22, 1844, aged 2 
years. 

Wachter. 

241. Phoebe, wife of George Wachter, 
Sr. ; died July i, 1840. 



-(?). 



Mary Richards; died - 

Lansly. 

252. Elizabeth, consort of A. Lansly; died 
September 10, 1841, aged 61 years. 

Denton. 

253. Wesley F., son of Simeon and Mary 
E. Denton; died September 19, 1844, aged 
3 years, 2 months. 

254. Simeon, son of Simeon and Mary E. 
Denton ; died August 25, 1849, aged 2 years, 
10 months. 

255. Elizabeth, daughter of Simeon and 
Mary E. Denton; died May 24, 1851. ■ 

Hutchings. 

256. Sarah Ann, consort of L. Hutchings; 

242. George Wachter, died March 15, died November i, 1842, aged 32 years. 
1855. aged ^7 years. 257. Henrietta, daughter of L. and S. A. 
Smalley Hutchings; died May 28, 1842. 

243. Martha, daughter of Mahlon and Re- Root. 

becca Ann Smalley; born October 3, 1S38; 258. Louisanna Elliott, wife of Perry 
died December 7, 1839. Root; died November 19, 1851, aged 24 years. 



384 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

years. Perry; died November 9, 1847, aged 17 

259. Flat stone (no inscription decipher- years, 8 months. 

able). r- 1- 1 

' Carlisle. 

■VT 264. George Carlisle, died September 4, 

260. Michael, infant son of A. and L. Nye ; 1^48. aged 47 years. 

born September 9, 1844, died August 9- ~^^- ^^'■°^'" '^^"'^ ' °^ ^^'"^ 

jg and Sarah Hite; died Februery 12, 1850, aged 

I year, i month, 12 days. 

Heed. 266. (Broken column) ( ?) died May 3, 

261. Mai — (?) Heed, died July 28, 1843, i^55. ^ged 12 years, i month, 16 days, 
aged 32 years. 267. (Sunken stone) Margaret; wife of 

262. (Broken stone without name); died ( ?) 

March 14, 1841, aged 61 years, 5 months. 

Perry. 268. George Creed, born December 14, 

263. Louisa, daughter of EHas and Olive 1815 and died August 29, 1845. 



CHAPTER XVI 



FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 

Masonry and Its Various Branches and Lodges in Lancaster — The Independent Order of Odd 
Fellozvs — The Knights of Pythias — The Elks — The Eagles— Daughters of the American 
Revolution — Ladies Auxiliary — Sons of Veterans — Daughters of Veterans. 



LODGES OF LANCASTER 
FREE MASONRY 

Symbolic Masonry 
(By C. T. McCoy) 

The history of Free Masonry in Lancaster, 
Ohio, if fully and carefully worked out, 
would almost be the history of Free Masonry 
in the whole state, as well as a part of Ken- 
tucky and West Virginia. 

A Masonic Lodge was not organized in 
Lancaster until January i8, 1820, because of 
the rather conservative character of the citi- 
zens, although the town was the home of 
many of the most prominent Masons in the 
State. Many other lodges had been organ- 
ized in the State previous to this, so that it 
became Number 57. 

Lancaster Lodge, F. & A. M., Number 57, 
from its organization occupied a very prom- 
inent position in the Masonic circles of the 
state, because of the conspicuous ability and 
eminent character of its membership. Among 
its first members were Hon. Charles R. Sher- 
man, father of Gen. W. T. Sherman and 
Senator John Sherman, who in 1824 became 



the second Grand Master of the State; Wil- 
liam W. Irvin, who was Grand Master in 
1825; General George Sanderson; Judge J. 
D. Dietrich; Dr. James Wilson; Hon. Phile- 
mon Beecher, who afterward became Deputy 
Grand Master and Grand Treasurer; Darius 
Talmadge ; Thomas Gushing ; John Noble ; 
and M. Z. Kreider, who was afterwards 
Grand Master and Grand Commander; and 
William J. Reese, who afterwards became 
Grand Master, Grand High Priest, Most Il- 
lustrious Grand Master, General Grand Cap- 
tain General, and General Grand Generalis- 
simo. When the great outcry was raised 
against Masonry because of the so-called 
"Morgan revelation," and the Grand Lodge 
found it unsafe to meet in Columbus, or other 
prominent cities of the state, Lancaster was 
its asylum, and the Grand Lodge met here 
consecutively from 1836 to 1843, and it was 
purposed to make Lancaster the permanent 
place of meeting for the Grand Lodge. A lot 
was purchased for this purpose, on the South- 
west corner of Broadway and Mulberry 
Streets. The plans for a temple were made, 
and the cornerstone laid. But lack of funds 
and objection on the part of other lodges 



385 



386 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



caused the purpose to be finally abandoned, 
with quite a considerable financial loss to the 
Lancaster lodge. 

The Lancaster lodge met from 1820 to 
1824 in the old Court House. In 1824, they 
built a hall in the rear of the Market House, 
which they occupied for 44 years. In 1868, 
in conjunction with the other Masonic bodies, 
they took possession of the rooms in the Ris- 
ing block which Mr. Phillip Rising had fitted 
up for their use, and they occupied them for 
40 years. In 1907 the brethren of the M. E. 
church having outgrown the capacity of their 
church building, situate on High Street be- 
tween Chestnut and Walnut, and having 
erected a more capacious building farther 
north, offered their abandoned building for 
sale, which the Masonic bodies of Lancaster 
purchased for $6,000, and by re-modelling, 
and the building of an addition, converted 
into the beautiful and well arranged temple 
now occupied by them. This temple was ded- 
icated June 22-24, 1908, by the most impress- 
ive and imposing ceremonies ever witnessed, 
in the city. 

The old Elmwood Cemetery at Lancaster, 
Ohio, though much neglected, contains the 
bodies of more distinguished early Masons 
than any other cemetery in the United States. 
The remains of three Ohio Grand Masters 
are lying there. 

The following have been its Worshipful 
Masters: James Wilson, Charles R. Sher- 
man, William W. Irvin, Thomas H. Cushing, 
George Sanderson. William J. Reese, George 
Myers, M. Z. Kreider, M. A. Daugherty, 
John McClelland, Virgil E. Shaw, George L. 
Eckert, S. B. Bickford, Phillip M. Wagen- 
hals, William Noble, H. G. Trout, S. D. Eck- 
man, J. H. Goss, Monroe Palmiter, G. W. 
DeGrummond, W. D. Obaugh, Christian 
Gaiser, J- T- Wolfe, James T. Pickering, T. 



C. Coats, J. P. Hershberger, L. T. Unks, H. 
F. Repass, C. S. North, J. G. Reeves, J. L. 
Graham, P. K. Shaw, W. A. Maple, F. L. De- 
Long. 

Lithopolis Lodge, No. 169, F. & A. M. 

Lithopolis Lodge No. 169, was chartered 
September 29, 1848. It has been an earnest, 
faithful lodge, doing excellent work, and has 
a present membership of sixty-five. 

Its Worshipful Masters have been: Joshua 
Glanville, William Riley, D. C. Martin, A. 
Clark, A. English, C. W. Speaks, John Court- 
right, David Kessi, J. B. Potter, G. S. Court- 
right, J. A. Benner, Phillip Teegardin, John 
\\'. Teegardin, R. V. Allen, T. H. Courtright, 
F. P. Creed, Levi Teegardin and C. E. Beery. 

Rushville Lodge, No. 211, F. & A. M. 
The charter of this lodge was issued in 
1851, and re-issued in 1857. This lodge has 
been very conspicuous from the high charac- 
ter of its work, and many of its officers have 
had wide masonic recognition. It, at pres- 
ent, has sixty-nine members. Its Past Mas- 
ters are: E. Kalb, D. M. Rae, C. D. Rissler, 
H. B. McLaughlin, A. B. Mortal, E. F. Riss- 
ler, W. C. Lewis, T. H. Battan, B. A. Thomas, 
A. L. Baker, D. H. Fahrer, J. M. Lidey, C. 
C. Swinehart and J. C. Elder. 

Baltimore Lodge, No. 475, F. & A. M. 
This lodge was chartered, October 22, 
1874. It has done consistent, faithful Ma- 
sonic work, and has a present membership of 
73. Its Past Masters are: Harrison Apple- 
gate, W. W. Luckey, D. H. Sands, E. L. Hel- 
mick, C. J. Miller, C. M. Rowlee, F. P. Mil- 
ler, A. A. Weakley, Ora Macklin, Harry 
Hanna, John A. Schaertzer. 

Amanda Lodge, No. 509, F. & A. M. 
The charter of this lodge bears date of Oc- 
tober 18, 1876. Amanda Lodge has main- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



387 



tained a high standard for its excellent work, 
and has held a high grade of membership. 
Its present membership is 48. Past Masters : 
Ed Greiner, Levi Lawrence. Peter Hewetson, 
Jacob Balthaser, S. H. Simon, T. J. Barr, R. 
B. Miller, William Borchers, J. G. Wagner, 
Stanley Lawrence, W. A. Cromley, C. W. 



CAPITULAR MASONRY 

Lancaster Chapter Number 11, R. A. M., 
\vas organized under a dispensation of the 
Grand Chapter of the State, in 1825. Its 
charter, however, bears date of July 12, 
1826. Hon. Charles R. Sherman, whose ma- 

Greiner. J. E. Hewetson, Frank Greiner, Bert '"""'^ ''°"°''s ^^^^ b^^" "°t^d in a previous 

chapter on Blue Lodge Masonry was its first 
High Priest. He had just retired from the 
ofifice of Grand Master of the state. He con- 



Borchers and C. A. Barr. 

Pleasant Valley Lodge, No. 531, F. & A. M. 

This lodge situated at Pleasantville, Ohio, 
was chartered Oct. i6th, 1883. It has had 
an excellent growth, and maintains a high 
standing both as to its work and member- 
ship. It has a present membership of 80. 
Past Masters: T. J. McNaughten, J. N. Mc- 
Naughten, W. H. Martin, C. D. Mills, Eli 
Rowles, T. J. Spitler, A. E. Miller, M. D. Mc- 
Cleery, D. M. Cupp, J. A. Irick, I. C. Spitler, 
A. E. McNaughten. 

Alturus Lodge, No. 537, F. & A. M. 

This lodge, located at Millersport. Ohio, 
was chartered, October 2nd, 1884. It has 
ably exemplified Masonry in the small terri- 
tory which it occupies, and has had a credit- 
able growth in good membership. Its mem- 
bers number 71. Past Masters: Harrison 
Applegate, A. T. Lyle, I. W. Lecrone, C. D. 
Gill, T. W. Lecrone, H. C. Brison, F. L. 
Mauger, T. A. Brison, T. B. Spitler, G. W. 
Taylor. 

Bremen Lodge, No. 608, F. & A. M. 

This newest lodge in the county has only 
recently received its charter. It has a pres- 
ent membership of 32. Brother J. M. Liday 
is Worshipful Master. 

The total membership of the Blue Lodges 
of Fairfield county exceeds 700. 



tinned as High Priest until his death in 1829. 
His death was rather sad; he had gone to 
Lebanon, Ohio, to hold court, being Judge 
at that time, in that district, and while there 
died suddenly of the cholera, which was then 
raging as an epidemic. The conditions pre- 
vented an elaborate public funeral, but the 
different masonic bodies of Fairfield county 
and of the state took action by appropriate 
resolution, commemorating his virtues and 
deploring their loss, and adopting the usual 
insignia of mourning. 

Lancaster Chapter Number 11, R. A. M., 
took a very prominent position in the chap- 
ter work of the state from the time of its 
organization, which it has consistently main- 
tained by excellence of work and the prom- 
inence of its membership among their breth- 
ren of the state. Its officers have been rec- 
ognized for their ability, fidelity, and zeal in 
State Masonic Chapter circles. It has a 
present membership of over 200. 

The past High Priests of Lancaster Chap- 
ter Number 11, R. A. M., are: Charles R. 
Sherman, James Gates, William J. Reese, M. 
Z. Kreider, J. E. Houston, John McClelland, 
Charles W. Babcock, C. W. Matthews, W. 
W. Obaugh, G. W^ DeGrummond, Leo Bil- 
horn, William Noble, S. D. Eckman, August 
Borneman, T. C. Coates, J. C. Hart, J. P. 



388 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Hershberger, Peter Bugh, H. F. Repass, J. 
G. Reeves. 

CRYPTIC MASONRY 

Lancaster Council, R. & S. M., was among 
the first chartered in the state. At that time 
the Council was not considered of much Ma- 
sonic importance. Masons who desired to 
take either the Commandery or Scottish 
Rite degrees might do so without having 
taken the Council degrees, so it had few 
members, and fell into "innocuous desue- 
tude." The charter was finally surrendered, 
and for many years Lancaster was without 
a Council. 

The present Council, Number 88, was 
chartered September 23, 1902; its growth 
has been rapid, although conservative. It 
has high rank for efficiency and excellence 
of work. It has a present membership of 

175- 

The past Thrice Illustrious Masters are : 
T. C. Coates, L. T. Unks, J. P. Hershberger, 
Fred L. Mauger, Charles S. North, W. C. 
Graham, Zach McCammon, and H. F. Re- 
pass. 

CHIV.\LRIC MASONRY 
THE COMMANDERY 

Lancaster Commandery, No. 2, K. T., 
was organized April 4, 1838, under a char- 
ter issued from Baltimore, Maryland, by vir- 
tue of authority of the Grand Encampment of 
the United States of America, at a conclave 
held in Washington City, in December, 1835. 
From the time of its organization in 1838 
until 1 84 1, it was the only working Com- 
mandery or Encampment, as the body was 
then termed, west of Albany, New York. Mt. 
Vernon Encampment Number i, which 
had been organized in 1818 had held no meet- 
ings from May, 1830, until June, 1841. Ma- 



sons traveled hundreds of miles, coming from 
Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Zanesville, 
Mansfield, Louisville, Ky., Wheeling, Va., 
and other remote cities, to Lancaster, Ohio, 
to receive the Knight Templar degree. The 
Lancaster Encampment, on application, con- 
sented to and endorsed the organization of 
Encampments at Wheeling, Va. Cincinnati, 
Massilon, Mansfield, Mt. Vernon, and other 
places. 

In 1843, Lancaster Encampment, uniting 
with Cincinnati, Massilon, Mansfield, and Mt. 
Vernon Encampments, at a meeting held in 
Lancaster, organized the Grand Encamp- 
ment of Ohio. The importance of Lancaster 
Commandery in chivalric Masonry is very 
conspicuous. It was the parent commandery 
of chivalric Masonry in Ohio, Kentucky and 
West Virginia. 

The Lancaster Commandery, in 1838, was 
organized at the Masonic Hall, in Lancaster, 
Ohio, by Sir John Barney, from Connecti- 
cut, Sir J. W. Copeland, from Vermont, and 
Sirs William J. Reese and George Sanderson, 
from Mt. Vernon Encampment No. i, at 
Worthington, Ohio. The ofificers elected 
were : William J. Reese, Eminent Com- 
mander; Greorge Sanderson, Generalissimo; 
Joseph Grubb, Captain General; Enos Wood- 
ward, Prelate; M. Z. Krpider, Senior War- 
den; John G. Willock, Junior Warden; Got- 
leib Steinman, Treasurer; John B. Reed, Re- 
corder; Henry Orman, Standard Bearer; 
Robert Fielding, Sword Bearer; Gabriel Car- 
penter, Warder; George W. Claspill, Senti- 
nel. The historic importance of these names 
is well known in this community. In 1841 
William J. Reese was Captain General of the 
Grand Encampment of the United States of 
America. His state honors in Masonry have 
been previously mentioned. 

The past Eminent Commanders of Lan- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



389 



caster Commandery Number 2, K. T., are: 
William J. Reese; M. Z. Krieder; Paul Car- 
penter; Harvey Wilson; O. E. Davis; J. W. 
Lewis ; V. E. Shaw ; J. K. Davis ; C. R. Rich- 
ards ; F. C. Whiley ; C. W. Matthews ; M. Pal- 
miter; George W. Beck; J. G. Reeves, J. S. 
Sites; S. S. Connor; H. E. Becker; Christian 
Gaizer; H. C. Hart; C. M. Rowlee; J. W. 
DeMuth ; Palmer Howard ; H. F. Repass ; W. 
C. Graham ; H. M. Anderson. 

SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY 

There are at present 31 members of the 
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite having the 
32nd degree in Fairfield County and 46 No- 
bles of the Mystic Shrine. 

Judge John G. Reeves is the only one in 
the county having the 33rd degree. 

EASTERN STAR MASONRY 

The M. Z. Krider chapter Number 145 of 
the Order of Eastern Star was instituted De- 
cember 9, 1901. It has a large membership 
of about 180, and is in a most flourishing 
condition. 

The past Worthy Matrons are : Aethra J. 
Wynkoop, Kate V. Drinkle, Mayme R. 
Tong, Elizabeth Watkins, Frances E. Gra- 
ham, Caroline Geotz. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS 

The I. O. O. F. is one of the oldest orders 
in Fairfield County. Charity lodge, located 
at Lancaster, Ohio, was instituted in 1838, 
with seven charter members, and is now 74 
years old and will next February, 19 13, cel- 
ebrate its 75th or "diamond" anniversary. 
It was the seventh lodge of the I. O. O. F. 
to be instituted in the state. Since that time 
ten other lodges were organized in the 
county; Sugar Grove having surrendered its 
charter and Alpine Lodge having consoli- 



dated with Charity in May, 1902, leaving 
nine lodges with a membership of 709. 
There was paid out by the several lodges last 
year for relief alone the sum of $2,507. 
There are at present 320 Past Grands. The 
total assets are $25,000. The Grand Lodge 
has been represented at various times as fol- 
lows : John C. Hite, Thomas C. Bope, J. D. 
Nourse, Henry B. Gray, Ira B. Bumgardner 
as representatives, and Rev. T. H. Hall as 
Grand Chaplain. 

The Encampment branch has been repre- 
sented by T. C. Bope, H. B. Gray, Christian 
Geiser and A. C. Turner as representatives 
Lancaster has been favored by having the 
Grand Lodge of the state meet here in the 
years of 1861 and 1882, with special sessions 
in 1912. 

The Grand Encampment, in conjunction 
with the Patriarch Militants, met here in 
1900, encamping on the fair grounds. The 
history of Odd Fellowship of this county is 
closely linked with the names of Holt, Rein- 
mund, Weaver, Bope, Tschopp, Nourse, 
Gray, Wycoff and a host of others long 
since passed away. 

The Encampment branch consists of 
Hock Hocking Encampment, No. 28, of 
Lancaster, Ohio, and Walnut Valley En- 
campment, No. 218, of Pleasantville, Ohio. 

Hock Hocking Encampment, No. 28, was 
instituted March 28, 1848, and has a mem- 
bership of 60. It paid for relief last year 
$297 and has assets to the amount of $1,600. 
The present officers are: John Brenstuhl, 
Chief Patriarch; W. H. Walford, Senior 
Warden ; Thomas Reap, Junior Warden ; R. 
F. Berry, High Priest; Ira B. Bumgardner, 
Scribe; J. H. Littrell, Treasurer. It meets 
on the second and fourth Thursdays. 

Walnut Valley Encampment, No. 218, 
was instituted Aug. 28, 1878. Its present 



390 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



membership is 8i. It paid for relief last year 
$150. The present assets are $1,900. 

Patriarch Militant branch is represented 
by one canton located in Lancaster, Canton 
Ivanhoe, No. 10. Its present officers are: 
A. C. Turner, Commandant; W. A. Meikle, 
1st Lieutenant; George W. Moss, Ensign; 
Ira B. Bumgardner, Clerk. It meets the sec- 
ond and fourth Thursdays. 

Charity Lodge, No. 7, Lancaster, Ohio, 
was instituted Feb. 13, 1838. Its present 
membership is 180; number of Past Grands, 
70, It paid for relief the past year $1,295.40. 
Its present assets are $4,800. The present of- 
ficers are: H. C. Robinson, Noble Grand; 
William Rudolph, Vice Grand; W. A. 
Meikle, Recording Secretary; Ira B. Bum- 
gardner, Financial Secretary; W. H. Wolfe, 
Treasurer. 

Fairfield Lodge, No. 163, Pleasantville, 
Ohio, was instituted Oct. 7, 1850. Its pres- 
ent membership is 107; number of Past 
Grands, 53. It paid for relief the past year 
$30373- Its present assets are $9,355-73- It 
owns its building and is in a flourishing con- 
dition. There were sixteen charter members 
all of them initiates of Charity Lodge, No. 7. 
The names of the first officers were: James 
Brown, Noble Grand ; Samuel Culp, Vice 
Grand ; Thomas Wilson, Recording Secre- 
tary; J. F. Irick, Financial Secretary; and 
Job McNamee, Treasurer. 

Baltimore Lodge, No. 202, Baltimore, 
Ohio, was instituted June 11, 1852. Its pres- 
ent membership is 46: number of Past 
Grands, 15. It paid for relief last year $145.- 
00. Its present assets amount to $1,062.51. 
They own their building and are doing well. 

Philo Lodge, No. 392, Rushville, Ohio, 
was instituted July 17, 1867. Its present 
membership is 78; number of Past Grands, 
42. It paid out for relief last year $260.80. 



Its present assets are $2,127.81. It owns its 
building and is doing a good work. There 
were ten charter members, all of whom are 
deceased except C. B. Duncan. The present 
officers are: G. H. Drum, Noble Grand; E. 
Z. Caplin, Vice Grand; C. R. Turner, Finan- 
cial Secretary; A. A. Huston, Recording 
Secretary; and G. W. Henderson, Treas- 
urer. They own their hortie and are doing a 
good work. 

Central Valley Lodge, No. 548, Amanda, 
Ohio, was instituted July 10, 1873. Its pres- 
ent membership is 34; number of Past 
Grands, 23. It paid for relief the past year 
$32.50. Its assets amount to $1,937.52. 
They also own their lodge building. 

Weaver Lodge, No. 486, Greencastle, Ohio, 
was instituted May 10, 1871 ; its present mem- 
bership is 40. The number of Past Grands 
have been thirteen. Last year $9.00 was paid 
out for relief. The assets are $1,937.52. 
They own their hall and are prosperous. 
There were twelve charter members, of whom 
S. P. Crist and W'illiam Kiger still retain 
membership. The present officers are : C. 
L. Calvert, Noble Grand; Homer Blue. Vice 
Grand; C. W. Crist, Recording Secretary; S. 
P. Crist, Financial Secretary; and C. H. Wei- 
ser. Treasurer. 

Crescent Lodge No. 561, Bremen, Ohio, 
was instituted Oct. 7, 1863. Its present mem- 
bership is loi. The number of Past Grands 
is 40. They paid for relief last year $217.35. 
The present assets amount to $2,277.41. 

Advance Lodge, No. 606, Millersport, 
Ohio, was instituted March 30, 1875. The 
present membership is 52. The number of 
Past Grands have been 28. Last year 
$166.00 was paid for relief. Their present 
assets are $1,485.27. They own their hall 
which was built in 1884 and are doing well. 
The first Noble Grand was Samuel WycofT. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



391 



The present officers are : R. F. Wycoff, No- 
ble Grand; Win. Hensel, Vice Grand; Fred 
Murphy, Recording Secretary; Ed. L. Wy- 
coff, Financial Secretary; and I. N. Shell, 
Treasurer. The trustees are: F. A. Keller, 
H. D. Bowers, S. M. Chalfant. 

Violet Lodge, No. 709, Pickerington, Ohio, 
was instituted Nov. 22, 188 1. Its present 
membership is jt^ ; number of Past Grands, 
36. It paid for relief last year $38.00. Its 
assets amount to $473.00. 

The Rebekah Branch consists of four 
lodges and 300 members. 

Chico Lodge No. 196, Pleasantville, Ohio, 
was instituted Dec. 2, 1886, and has a mem- 
bership of lOI. 

Melrose Lodge, No. 571, Pickerington, 
Ohio, was instituted June 24, 1903, and it has 
a membership of 30. 

Twin City Lodge, No. 649, Baltimore, 
Ohio, was instituted Aug. 6, 1907. Its pres- 
ent membership is 39. 

Helena Lodge, No. 617, Lancaster, Ohio, 
was instituted July 26, 1905. Its present 
membership is 130. The present officers are: 
Miss Guard Reap, Noble Grand; Mrs. Geo. 
Moss, Vice Grand; Mrs. Mayme Foreman, 
Recording Secretary; Miss Lillie Ritter, Fi- 
nancial Secretary; and Miss Lulu Gillespie, 
Treasurer. Mrs. Mayme Foreman is repre- 
sentative to The Ohio Rebekah Assembly. 

Helena Rebekah Lodge entertained the 58th 
District Convention in November, 1906 and 
are making preparations to entertain a special 
session of the Ohio Rebekah Assembly in 
November of this year. 

Ira B. BuMG.\RnxER. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS 

Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 48. of the Knights 
of Pythias was instituted Feb. 20, 1873. by 
Joseph Dowdell, acting as special Grand Chan- 



cellor. The officers were: P. C, H. B. 
Gray; C. C, C. H. Heed; V. C, Leo Bil- 
horn: Prel., R. R. Price; M. of Ex., J. A. 
Heim; M. of ¥., J. A. Richards; K. of R. and 
S., C. A. Scoville; M. at A., W. E. Ditto; I. 
G, G. D. Heilbron; O. G, R. M. Wiley. 

There were twenty-seven charter members 
as follows: Henry B. Gray, J. H. Heed, Leo 
Bilhorn, R. R. Pierce, Jolm A. Heim, J. A. 
Richards, C. A. Scoville, William Ditto, 
George Heilbron, R. M. Wiley, J. A. Bartho- 
lomew, U. C. Rudolph, H. Getz, C. H. Tow- 
son, W. W. O'Bough, O. S. Stoneburger, 
Noble Gates, T. C. Ochs. J. Bilhorn, H. Bor- 
neman, F. Etzel, J. D. Widner, W. F. Getz, 
M. H. Harps, S. H. Steck, A. Deitz, C. Bar- 
tholomew. 

March i, 1912, there were four hundred 
members of this lodge and their officers are 
as follows: C. C, R. N. McLain; V. C, 
Harry Bauman; Prel., E. W. Mossman; M. 
of Ex., G. W. Wilkinson; M. of F., George 
Rushia; K. of R. and S., C. T. Moore; M. at 
A., Harry Light; I. G, Bert Alspach; O. G., 
Charles Fishbaugh. 

Records of other K. P. lodges will be found 
in Chapter VI. 

THE ELKS 

Lancaster Ohio Lodge, No. 570, Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks, was instituted 
in Lancaster, P^airfield county, Ohio, in May, 
1900, with about forty charter members. The 
first Exalted Ruler of the Lodge was Robert 
Gilliam, Secretary, Frank Matt and Treas- 
urer, Edward H. Bininger. Shortly after the 
Lodge was instituted the membership began 
to look for a home of their own, and after 
several meetings they decided to purchase the 
Columbian Block, which is located at 134 to 
140 West Main Street. From this time on 
the growth of the Lodge was assured. Much 



392 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



credit is due the Building Committee consist- 
ing of Geo. Matt, Sr., Edward H. Bininger, 
Edward DeLancy, Chas. P. Noll and Clinton 
P. Cole for the interest they manifested in the 
home up to the present time. The Order of 
Elks is strictly American and can only be in- 
stituted in the United States or its posses- 
sions. The love of country, family and home 
is impressed on every candidate who seeks ad- 
mission. The present officers are as follows : 
Exalted Ruler, William H. Nye; secretary, 
H. R. Roley; treasurer, Geo. M. Hickle; trus- 
tees, Geo. Matt, William E. Thimmes, Jas. 
A. Davidson. The Elks Creed is as follows: 

Believe in thyself as well as in others. Ex- 
alted be thine ideas of right. Be lenient, be 
true. 

Protect childhood with tenderness, woman 
with chivalry, old age with respect. 

Others seek to benefit — do good here and 
now — cherish with reverence the memory of 
those who have passed. 

Enjoy the good things of earth, keep with- 
in thee the glorious sunshine of youth and 
above all remain always of good cheer. 

H. G. ROLEY. 
THE EAGLES 

Forest Rose Aerie, No. 447, Fraternal Or- 
der of Eagles, was instituted in Lancaster, 
Fairfield county, Ohio, in August, 1903. The 
first officers of the Aerie were : Worthy 
President, H. R. Roley; Secretary, Ernest 
Talbott; Treasurer, Col. Albert Mucken- 
sturm; Trustees, W. E. Barker, Louis Mc- 
Kown and John D. Wonderly. 

The object of the Fraternal Order of 
Eagles is to unite fraternally for mutual bene- 
fit, protection, improvement and association 
generally, male members of the Caucasian 
race of sound body and health, of good moral 



character, and who believe in a Supreme 
Being. The motto of the Order is : 

"If I can not speak well of a man I will 
not speak ill of him." 

The present officers are : Worthy Presi- 
dent, S. W. Krotzer; Secretary, H. R. Roley; 
Treasurer. Col. Albert Muckensturm; Trus- 
tees, H. H. W^olford, R. F. Henry, Chas. 
Gross. 

The Aerie meets the first and third Thurs- 
days of the month on the third floor of the 
Temple of Fashion. 

ELIZABETH SHERMAN REESE CHAPTER DAUGH- 
TERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

This chapter was organized at Lancaster, 
Ohio, April 23, 1900, and was named for 
Elizabeth Sherman Reese, daughter of 
Judge Chas. R. Sherman and wife of General 
William Reese. The charter was granted 
Feb. 21, 1901. National number of Charter, 
514. Number of Charter members, 15. Mrs. 
Moses M. Granger, State Regent. Mrs. 
William B. Maccracken, First Chapter Re- 
gent. The first meeting was held at the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Maccracken, April 23, 1900. 

First officers — Regent, Mrs. Maccracken; 
Vice Regent, Mrs. Rose Rising; Secretary, 
Miss Frances Mumaugh ; Treasurer, Miss 
Anna D. Brasee; Registrar, Mrs. Clara T. 
Brasee Towt. 

The objects of this society are : 

(i) To perpetuate the memory and the 
spirit of the men and women who achieved 
American independence, by the acquisition 
and protection of historical spots and the 
erection of monuments ; by the encourage- 
ment of historical research in relation to the 
Revolution and the publication of its results ; 
by the preservation of documents and relics, 
and of the records of the individual services 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



393 



of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and 
by the promotion of and the celebration of 
all patriotic anniversaries. 

(2) To carry out the injunction of Wash- 
ington in his farewell address to the Ameri- 
can people, "To promote, as an object of 
primary importance, institutions for the gen- 
eral diffusion of knowledge," thus develop- 
ing an enlightened public opinion, and af- 
fording to young and old such advantages as 
shall develop in them the largest capacity 
for performing the duties of American citi- 
zens. 

(3) To cherish, maintain, and extend the 
institutions of American freedom, to foster 
true patriotism and love of country, and to 
aid in securing for mankind all the blessings 
of liberty. 

In speaking of the work done, an officer of 
the society says, "We have placed bronze 
markers at some of our Revolutionary soldiers' 
graves, and expect to mark them all as soon 
as they can be identified. We have pre- 
sented large American flags to different pub- 
lic schools We have given a large flag and 
a copy of the Declaration of Independence 
to the high school. It was through our in- 
fluence that beautiful Mt. Pleasant has be- 
come a city park. 

"Mrs. Clara Brasee Towt, on behalf of 
this chapter, obtained an option on this tract 
of land, and it was under the terms of this 
option that Mr. Philip Rising purchased it 
and presented it to the city. We were the 
first to take any active steps to procure the 
establishment of a hospital and now have a 
sum of money on deposit in the Hocking 
Valley Bank for that purpose. 

"We do some charitable work, always quietly 
and without the public's knowledge." 

Names of those who have become members 
of the Elizabeth Sherman Reese Chapter: 



Charter Members — Mrs. Elizabeth Wyn- 
koop Maccracken (transferred to Wichita, 
Kans.), Mrs. Clara E. Brasee Towt, Miss 
Mary Frances Mumaugh, Miss Julia Leah 
Reese, Miss Anna Dickinson Brasee, Mrs. 
Maria Ewing Martin, Miss Mary W. Pearce, . 
Miss Mary White (now Mrs. Daniel Tschoop), 
Miss Clara Tuthill Bradley, Mrs. Viola Allen 
Silbaugh, Mrs. Lilla Sturgeon Hair, Mrs. 
Maud Sturgeon Hall, Mrs. Margaret J. Stur- 
geon AlcCoy, Mrs. Rose Sturgeon Rising, 
Mrs. Martha Sturgeon Smith. 

Those who have entered since the organ- 
ization of the Chapter are as follows: Mrs. 
Abbie May H. Tallmadge, Mrs. Sarah E. Ryan 
White, Mrs. Helen Reese Butler, Miss Helen 
Julia Keller, Mrs. Roseline \\'ells Goss (de- 
ceased), Mrs. Belle Garland Cresap Poston, 
Mrs. Arthur Krieder Wynkoop (deceased), 
Mrs. Ella M. Dunsmoor Rempel, Mrs. Ellen 
Jane Ryan (now Mrs. George De Camp), Miss 
Cora Rigby, Miss Daisy Bartlet Kistler (now 
Mrs. F. H. Hyatt), Mrs. Kathryn Kistler 
Park, Miss Albina Van Meter Pearce, Mrs. 
Flora D. King Carter, Mrs. Jessie Lee ^^'hite 
Steele, Mrs. Floride K. Sprague, Mrs. Harriet 
Gibson Denny, Miss Rose La Mar Baker, Mrs. 
Rebecca McFarland Keller, Miss Matilda 
McCoy (now Mrs. Painter), Mrs. Mary Ver- 
non Junkerman, Mrs. Myrtle V. Goss Sco- 
field, Mrs. Nellie Jane Keifer Smith Carmen, 
Mrs. Sadie Curtis Stevens Bay. 

Present officers — Regent, Mrs. Maude 
Sturgeon Hall; Vice Regent, Mrs. Harriet 
Gibson Denny; Secretary, Mrs. Clara Brasee 
Towt; Registrar, Mrs. Margaret J. McCoy; 
Treasurer, Miss Mary Frances Mumaugh; 
Historian, Mrs. Clara Tuthill Bradley. 

Ex-Regents — Mrs. W^illiam Brooks Mac- 
cracken, Miss Mary Frances Mumaugh, Mrs. 
Clara E. Brasee Towt, Mrs. Eathra Jane 



394 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Kreider Wynkoop, Mrs. Margaret J. McCoy, 
Mrs. Mary White Tschopp. 

Roll of Honor — Abraham Bloom, New 
Jersey; Andreas Brasee, New York; Jona- 
than Buchland, Connecticut; Capt. William 
Bartlett, Massachusetts; Ebenezer Butler Jr., 
Connecticut ; Jephaniah Beall, Maryland ; 
Emanuel Carpenter St., Pennsylvania; Zarah 
Curtis, Connecticut; Emanuel Carpenter Jr., 
Pennsylvania; Col. Thomas Cresap, Mary- 
land; Daniel Cresap Sr., Maryland; Joseph 
Cresap, Maryland ; John Cross, Virginia ; 
George Ewing, New Jersey; Daniel Gage. 
New Hampshire; Abner Gage, New Hamp- 
shire ; Samuel Howe ; John Lemen, Virginia ; 
John Martin. Maryland; David Miller; Capt. 
William McFarland, Pennsylvania ; Capt. 
William Peebles, Pennsylvania ; William Rig- 
by, Maryland; Eleazor Rosebrook, Massachu- 
setts; Dr. Samuel Hopkins, Maryland; Wil- 
liam T. Sanford, Virginia; Daniel Sherman, 
Connecticut; John Tuthill, Vermont; Ser- 
geant Henry Wells, Virginia; George White, 
New Jersey; Capt. Cornelius C. Wynkoop, 
New York. 

The National Society of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution has erected in 
A\^ashington City a magnificent building, 
"Continental Memorial Hall," and it is the 
first memorial ever erected by women in 
America "to the memory of the men and 
women who helped to achieve our independ- 
ence." It is most beautifully located between 
the Corcoran Art Gallery, and White House 
and the Washington Monument. 

ladies' auxili.\ry, s. of v. 

The Ladies' Auxiliary, No. 8i of McKin- 
ley Camp, No. 21, Sons of Veterans of Lan- 
caster, Ohio, was organized on January 22, 
1902, with 31 charter members, Miss Mayme 
Herbst, of Canton, Ohio, being our Division 



President. Miss Herbst is now Past Na- 
tional President; Miss May Volmer, assisted 
by Aliss Emma Bryan of Columbus, came 
down and mustered us in. Our Auxiliary 
was then the banner Auxiliary of the State, 
having 63 members. The first officers for 
the first years were as follows : 

President, Miss Elizabeth Schleckman; 
Past President, Mrs. Mary Stewart; Vice 
President, Miss Katherine Ranch; Trustees, 
Julia Henderly, Mayme Shumaker, Mrs. W. 
C. Fees ; Treasurer, Miss Gladys Fees ; Sec- 
retary, Miss Daisy Witham ; Chaplain, Miss 
Stella Hart; Guide, Mrs. Lida Cook; Assist- 
ant Guide, Miss Hattie Holland; Inside 
Guard, Miss Artie Hane ; Outer Guard, Mrs. 
Mary Shrieve; Judge Advocate, Bro. W. T. 
Shrieve. The Auxiliary has 31 members at 
the present time, having lost a good many 
by marriage and removal from the city and 
two by death ; only two charter members 
being left. On March 30, 1910, we took in 
a nice class of 24 members, a class of 14 girls 
from the Columbus Auxiliary, No. 17, doing 
the initiation, Miss Margaret Patterson of 
the Columbus Auxiliary now our Division 
President, doing the work that year. Our 
Auxiliary being the smallest Auxiliary mak- 
ing the largest gain, won as a prize $12.50 in 
gold and four beautiful silk flags. Brother 
W. T. Shrieve has held the ofifice of Judge 
Advocate for nine years, Bro. H. R. Roley 
holding the office one year. Our Treasurer, 
Mrs. Mary C. Shrieve, has had the office for 
five years, showing the high esteem in which we 
hold her. The officers for the present year 
are as follows: Past President, Miss Ida 
Schleckman; President, Mrs. Bertha Hen- 
dricksen; Vice President, Miss Futilla Wil- 
liamson ; Trustees, Mrs. Georgia Turner, 
Sallie Flagel and Minnie Marks; Treasurer, 
Mrs. Mary Shrieve; Secretary, Mrs. Bertha 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



395 



Lake; Patriotic Instructor, Miss F. William- 
son; Chaplain, Miss Elizabeth Miller; Guide, 
Mrs. Minnie Gardiner; Assistant Guide, 
Mrs. Mary Mack; Color Guards, Mrs. Philip 
Cassley and Bertha Piper; Inside Guard, 
Mrs. Frank Caves; Outside Guard, Miss 
Edna Dittman; Judge Advocate, William 
Shrieve. 



MRS. TECUMSEH SHERMAN TENT NO. 
DAUGHTERS OF VETERANS 
OHIO DEPARTMENT 



l6 



The association known as the National 
Alliance, Daughters of Veterans of the 
United States of America, was established 
in Massillon, Ohio, in 1885, by a number of 
school girls, who after assisting in decorating 
the graves of the veterans on Memorial Day, 
decided to associate themselves in a perma- 
nent organization, for the purpose of assist- 
ing the Grand Army post. From that day 
hence this order has grown with unusual ra- 
pidity, our duty being, "Loyalty to our Coun- 
try and to our Flag." 

In May, 1902, the G. A. R. held its State 
Encampment in Lancaster, Ohio. Attend- 
ing it was one of the greatest workers the 
organization has ever known. Miss Bertha 
Martin, whose influence aroused such an en- 
thusiasm among the people, that a new tent 
was organized by her in Lancaster. Now, 
as there was no hall in which to assemble, 
the parlor of the Hillside Hotel (owned by 
Mr. Wm. Getz), was thrown open to us. 

Being immediately across the street from 
the home and birthplace of our great gen- 
eral, W^m. Tecumseh Sherman, our tent was 
named in honor of him. The charter mem- 
bers are as follows : 

Grace Dum, ]Mary Denton, Amanda Mil- 
ler, Flora Black, Jessie Flegel, Ozora Flegel, 
Christina Peters, Minnie Cook, Gertrude 



Ziesler, Ida Benadum, Elizabeth Lehman. 
Willeta Robinson, Maggie Fricker, Grace 
Black, Euseba Bowers, Emma Mack, Minnie 
Quick, Rena Shortt, Lula Shortt. 

We have since been growing slowly and 
have an enrollment of thirty-three members, 
namely : 

Etta Boyer, Rhea Denton, Katheryn Moore, 
Nada Donley, Dorothy Dodd, Jessie Flegel, 
Ozora Flegel, Marguerite Fishbaugh, Erma 
Hattendorf, Belle Hunter, Evenna Harmon, 
Dora Hyde, Estella Jameston, Mary Kramer, 
Elizabeth Rainey, May Hoy, Lena Miller. 
Katherine Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Hilda 
Nichols, Ida Niesly, Edith Riley, Leota Gray, 
Clara Rockey, Willita Robinson, Eva Ray, 
Elizabeth Lehman, Minnie Shumaker, Mary 
Saunders, Lula Wilt, Alice W'alldeck, Mary 
W^alldeck. 

The roll of officers is as follows : Pres., 
Etta Boyer; S. V. P., Marguerite Fishbaugh; 
J. V. P., Estella Jameston; Chap., Ida Neisly; 
Treas., Minnie Shumaker; T. No. i, Erma 
Hattendorf; T. No. 2, Mary Kramer; T. No. 
3, Dora Hyde; P. Ins., Bell Hunter; Sec'ty., 
Rhea Denton ; Guide, Dorothy Dodd ; Guard, 
Effie Giles; Asst. G., Lena Miller; Mus., 
Evenna Harmon ; Color B. No. i , Emia Hat- 
tendorf ; Color B. No. 2, Jessie Flegel ; Color 
B. No. 3, Mary Kramer; Color B. No. 4, 
Katherine Miller. 

Our membership is made up exclusively 
of the daughters and granddaughters of the 
veterans. We are busily engaged in foster- 
ing the patriotic spirit which animated our 
fathers in the heroic days from 1861 to 1865, 
in aiding the distressed veteran where found, 
and in doing honor to those who fell on the 
battle field, or have since answered to the 
last roll call, in performing the tender serv- 
ices of Memorial Day. 

It is almost impossible to give a detailed 



396 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



account of all the work that is done, for 
many a basket of fruit and flowers find their 
way to the sick bed of a veteran, and many 
wreaths are placed every year upon the sol- 
diers' graves, also many acts of unrecorded 
charity and helpfulness attest the earnest 
and devoted spirit with which the Daughters 
of Veterans everywhere are taking up their 
noble and patriotic mission. 
Respectfully submitted in F. C. and L., 
Etta Boyer, President. 

Rhea Denton, Secretary. 

LODGES OF LANCASTER AND WHEN THEY MEET 

Royal Arcanum, ist-3rd Thursdays. 

I. O. O. F., every Monday. 

W. of W., 2nd and 4th Friday. 

M. W. of A., 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 

K. of P., every Friday. 

K. of St. John, last Sunday. 

K. of C, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 

Rebekahs, every Friday. 

St. Mary's A. K. of St. J., ist Wednesday. 

C. L. of C, 2nd Monday. 

B. of L. F. & E., 2nd-4th Sundays. 

L. A. B. of L. F. & E., 2nd-4th Thursdays. 

C. K. of 0., 1st Sunday. 

W. R. C, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. 
W. C. T. U., 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 



B. P. O. E., 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. 
Eagles, every Thursday. 

F. and A. M., ist and 3rd Tuesdays. 
Pythian Sisters, every Monday. 

K. O. T. M., 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. 
L. O. T. M., 1st and 3rd Thursdays. 
U. C. T., 3rd Friday. 

G. A. R., 1st and 3rd Saturdays. 
U. S. W. v., 2nd Thursday. 
Red Men meet every Tuesday. 
Pocahontas, every Thursday. 

S. of V. Auxiliary on 2nd and 4th Tues- 
days. 

No. 9056 meets every Monday night. 

D. of v., 2nd and 4th Fridays. 

Co. I, /th O. V. I., every Monday. 

Medical society, 3rd Tuesday. 

Eastern Star, last Monday. 

Royal Neighbors, ist and 3rd Friday. 

Bureau of Associated Charities, ist and 
3rd Fridays. 

D. A. R., first Tuesday. 

A. I. U., 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. 
Symphony orchestra, Wednesdays. 

U. V. L., meets 3rd Sunday afternoon. 

B. of R. R. T., meets first and third Tues- 
days. 

Medical Research Club, Monday evenings. 



CHAPTER XVII 



MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY 

The County's Military^ Record — Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Fairfield County — The 
County in the War of 1812-1^ — The Mexican War — Fairfield County in the Civil War 
■ — Lancaster, in' the War — Death of Maj. H. H. Giesy — The Grand Army of the Republic 
— Woman's Relief Corps — Sons of Veterans — The Spanish-American War — Muster Roll 
of Company F. 7th Regt., Inf., 0. N. G. 



Ohio has never been found lacking in the 
military spirit whenever need arose to arm 
for defense against foreign or domestic foes, 
and in every war that has occurred since the 
beginning of its history Fairfield County has 
well sustained the reputation of the State. 

During the Revolutionary period the 
county was a wilderness, having no settled 
government, and inhabited chiefly by In- 
dians, white hunters and trappers, and a few 
adventurous settlers, who remained at the 
almost daily risk of their lives and who, hav- 
ing their own troubles, took no part collec- 
tively, and little or none individually, in the 
struggle between the colonies and the 
Mother Country. But the land grants to 
Revolutionary soldiers after the war, and 
still more, the settled government given to 
the Northwest Territory by the famous ordi- 
nance of 1787, set in motion a steady and 
increasing stream of emigration from the 
older states into Ohio. These new settlers 
began at once the civilizing of the territory, 
soon (in 1803) to become a state. They 
cleared the forests, tilled the soil and es- 
tablished homes and civilized communities. 

24 



Their sons, perhaps inheriting the military 
instinct of the fathers, and endowed with the 
patriotic spirit, when the second war with 
Great Britain began, were quick to arm and 
fight for country defense and in defense of 
the homes they had established. 

A PARTI.\L ],IST OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS 
BURIED IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO 

John Bartoon ; buried at United Brethren 
Church, Pleasant Run. known as the Harmon 
churchyard. 

Andrew Barr; buried at Dutch Hollow. 

Henry Crowereiler; St. Peter's. 

Several in Zeigler church cemetery. 

Rev. John Wiseman ; Methodist cemetery, 
New Salem, Ohio. 

David Bufiington ; New Salem Cemetery. 

William Rigby: Mt. Zion Cemetery. 

Capt. William McFarland; Hooker ceme- 
tery. 

General Wells; Hooker cemetery. 

John Carpenter; served as ist Lieutenant 
in Rifle Regiment. Pennsylvania Troops, Col. 
Samuel Miles. 

John Cross; private, Capt. Parsons, Col. 



397 



398 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



William Washington, Virginia, enlisted at 
Point of Fork, Va., Jefferson Co., received 
pension, died, 1847. 

James Holmes, drummer; Capts. Forrester 
Jackson; Cols. Hartley and Hubley; Pa., 
enlisted at Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., pen- 
sion allowed ; lived in Fairfield but were buried 
one half mile north of Luray, on Newark 
road. 

Joshua Critchfield; served under Capt. Wil- 
liam McMachan, Cols. Maj. Crawford, Gov. 
Dunmore, Va. Capt Charles Clinton, Md., 
Col. Moses Rawlings, Continental Artificer. 
Charles Clinton, Deputy Quartermaster; Wil- 
liam Wilson, Quartermaster. Capt. McGuire, 
two months guarded prisoners captured at 
Yorktown ; pension allowed. 

Benjamin Cave, enlisted 1779; discharged 
June, 1781 ; Private, Capt. Charles Brown- 
ing, Col. Barber, Va. ; Capt. Henry Fields, 
Col. Fowles ; pension allowed ; soldier was a 
minister of the gospel, 1832; may have died 
in Ross County. 

John Martin, enlisted at Fredericktown, 
Md. ; Private; Capts. Charles Baltzel, Peter 
Mautz, Hardman ; Col. Weltner's Conti- 
nental German Regiment, Md. ; pension al- 
lowed. 

Jacob Ream, enlisted from Lancaster 
County, Pa. ; Private, Capt. Gardner, Pa. ; 
Private, Capt. Smoler, Pa.; soon after 
served under Commissary Jno. Kiddary and 
was stationed at hospital at Reamstown, 
1778; teamster in General Wayne's Bri- 
gade : pension allowed. 

Michael Rice, Private; Capt. Jno. Syme's 
Company on Foot, loth Va. Regt. ; enlisted 
Dec. 27, 1776; transferred to Lieut. Nathan 
Lammie's Co. about Feb., 1778; to Lieut. 
Thos. Barbee's Co. in Aug., 1778, and to 
Lieut. Col. Samuel Hawe's Co. about Oct., 
1778. His name last appears on a company 



pay roll without remark, Nov., 1779. The 
loth Va. Regt. became the 6th Continental 
Va. Regt. about Sept., 1778. 

Joshua Burton, Private, Capts. Thos Price 
and Otho Williams, July 29, 1776, Capt, 
Philip Griffin, Lt. Col. Moses Rawlings; 
taken prisoner at Fort Washington and ex- 
changed, then attached to nth Va. Regt.; 
later under Capt. Alex. Lawson Smith, Col. 
Smith, Md.; discharged July, 1779; enlisted 
again for one year, Capt. Boyd, Penn. ; 
wounded in leg at Brandywine; enlisted at 
Fredericktown, Md. ; pension allowed. 

Benjamin Harrison Smith, in old Method- 
ist cemetery, Lancaster; Record War Dept., 
page 370. 

Emanuel Carpenter Jr., a private in the 
Lancaster Co., Pa., militia. 

James Wells, ist Lieut., 4th Pa. Artillery, 
Continental Troops. 

John Alspach, Michael Alspach, Jonathan 
Burnside, Benj. Carlisle, Jonathan Center, 
John Colman, Johnson Cook, Low Courts, 
Jas. Crawford, William Davis, Thos. Eb- 
right, Thos. Elsey, Henry Fitzgerald, Elijah 
Hedges, Michael Hensel, Wm. Hopwood, 
Ephriam Hubbart, Edw. Irvin, Wm. John- 
son, Jno. G. Iving, Daniel Lambrecht, Robt. 
McClelland, James Morris, Jno. Murphy, 
Walter Newman, Wm. Priest, Jno. Reynolds, 
Elijah Russell, Mathias Sheets, Wm. Shu- 
maker, Jno. Shlife or Schlife, David Smith, 
Jonathan Smith, Peter Sturgeon, Thos. Tor- 
rence, Benj. Turner, Bernard Valentine, Geo. 
Valentine, Peter Woodring, David Wright, 
Christian Young, Jno. Cradlebaugh, jHenry 
Ingham, John Thompson. 

John Alspach, buried in Betzer church- 
yard. 

Michael Alspach, buried in Betzer church- 
yard. 

John Cradlebaugh, Rushcreek township, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



399 



Grand View cemetery; came from Ger- 
many, enlisted in Capt. Shelter's Co., Fourth 
Class, 1782. 

John Colman,- buried at Canal Winches- 
ter. 

Joshua Critchfield, buried in Hocking 
township; pensioner, 1840. 

James Holmes, third lieutenant, First 
Battalion, Miles, Pennsylvania, Rifle Regi- 
ment, resigned December 31, 1776. 

George Hill, Walnut township, served 
five years in what was then known as "Lee's 
Legion of Horse." 

John Murphy, Richland township. 

Walter Newman, Walnut township, pen- 
sioner, 1840. 

John Reynolds or Runnels, Clear Creek 
township, pensioner, 1840. 

\Vm. Shumaker, Mt. Carmel cemetery, 
Clearport, Madison township, died Febru- 
ary 5, 1836, age about ninety years ; a native 
of Pennsylvania. 

Michael Rice. Virginia, to Ohio about 
1800, Greenfield. 

Samuel Leist, Dutch Hollow cemetery, 
Amanda. 

Emanuel Carpenter, Jr., buried in old 
Koontz burial ground south of Lancaster. 

Michael Wagner, Baugher cemetery, 
Greenfield township. 

John Carpenter, from Pennsylvania., bur- 
ied in old Koontz cemetery. 

Daniel Miller, Hopewell cemetery. 

John Guseman, Sr., Guseman cemetery. 

John Busly, William Gliger. 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE WAR OF l8l2 AND 
THE MEXICAN WAR 

Though Congress did not declare war 
against England till June, 1812, a company 
of infantry was mustered in Fairfield county 
in April of that year to operate on the north- 



ern border against the British. The com- 
pany was recruited by Gen. George Sander- 
son. There were 42 in the company, who, 
tvith all the officers, were included in the 
surrender of General Hull at Detroit, Au- 
gust 16, 1812. Many of the soldiers disre- 
garded their parole and re-enlisted. In 
April, 1813, Captain Sanderson recruited a 
second company, partly from Fairfield and 
partly from the Western Reserve — number- 
ing 157 men. This company served till the 
close of the war and was honorably dis- 
charged. There was a third company enlisted 
at Lancaster, commanded by Jesse D. Court- 
right. There was also a rifle company or- 
ganized in 1812, numbering 80 to 100, raised 
chiefly along Ewings Run. David Ewing 
was captain of this company. 

In the Mexican war, Fairfield county fur- 
nished as many soldiers in proportion to her 
population as any county in Ohio. There 
were two companies — one recruited in 1846, 
was commanded by Captain William Irvin, 
served one year and was honorably dis- 
charged. 

The second company started out in May, 
1847, sixty strong, and filled up at Cincin- 
nati. They were commanded by W. F. Fer- 
guson, did duty one year and were honor- 
ably discharged. 

FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR 

Fairfield county sent the first company of 
soldiers to the state capital under President 
Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand 
men just after the fall of Fort Sumter. The 
call was made April 15, 1861, and on Tues- 
day, April 16, Lancaster was in arms. The 
Lancaster Guards, an independent company 
organized in 1859, had J. A. Stafford for 
their captain. A large and enthusiastic citi- 
zens" meeting was held Tuesday evening, vol- 



400 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



unteers were enlisted until this company had 
swelled its numbers to over one hundred. 
Wednesday, April 17, at 4 P. M. they 
marched to the depot and went to Columbus 
via Zanesville. This company was the first 
to reach Columbus, but it was speedily fol- 
lowed by the Dayton Guards and others; 
The First Ohio Volunteer Infantry was or- 
ganized April i8th at Columbus with A. M. 
McCook as colonel, and that day with the 
Second Regiment was on the way to Wash- 
ington. The Lancaster Guards composed 
Company A — a great distinction. The three 
months enlistment expired and, after the 
battle of Bull Run this company was dis- 
charged and returned home. J. A. Stafford 
was captain, Thomas M. Hunter, first lieu- 
tenant, and Ezra Ricketts, second lieuten- 
ant. Company A soon re-enlisted, and after 
three years' service was mustered out with 
only twenty-seven men, one fourth of its 
original number. This company partici- 
pated in twenty-eight battles and skir- 
mishes. Captain StafTord was promoted to 
major and mustered out with the company. 
Lieutenant Hooker became captain of Com- 
pany A. 

The Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try belonged more distinctively to Fairfield 
county and contained more of her men than 
any other in the field. After Company A 
of the "First" reached Columbus, on the 
17th of April. Sergeants A. H. Giesy, Theo- 
dore Michels, Leo Noles, Abraham Ogden, 
J. W. Stinchcomb, were detailed to return 
to Lancaster and raise another company. 
By April 20th 185 men had been recruited, 
and two companies organized. The second 
call for troops found these two companies 
at the Lancaster fair grounds, christened 
Fort Anderson. Eight companies joined 
them. The two Fairfield companies were 



Company A, A. H. Giesy, captain ; Company 
I, J. W. Stinchcomb, captain. 

They were mustered out August 15, re- 
enlisted and half the companies belonged to 
Fairfield. Company A, Benj. A. Butterfield, 
captain ; Company B, James W. Stinchcomb, 
captain ; Company F, Ezra Ricketts, cap- 
tain ; Company I, Abraham Ogden, captain ; 
Company K, Daniel M. Rea, captain. 

The battle of Chickamauga was the sever- 
est in which the Seventeenth participated. 
There were over 200 killed and wounded ; 
among the dead was the gallant Captain 
Ricketts. At Mission Ridge, though this 
regiment was in the rear when the battle 
commenced it was at the front when the hill 
was gained — and here the brave Major But- 
terfield fell mortally wounded. 

January i, 1864, three hundred ninety- 
three members of the Seventeenth agreed to 
re-enlist for three years if necessary. 

January 22 — returned home for a fur- 
lough. 

March 7 — returned to the field with four 
hundred recruits. 

It went with Sherman to Georgia, was at 
New Hope church, Kenesaw Mountain, and 
Jonesboro, where the compaign ended. 

The Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
This regiment though organized at Camp 
Chase is intimately connected with Lancas- 
ter. During winter of 1861-62 General New- 
ton Schleich, maintained a recruiting of^ce 
at Lancaster. Several companies were re- 
cruited but transferred as fast as recruited. 
Company B was the only Fairfield county 
company, and it had Daniel J,. Schleich for 
captain, while Colonel Newton Schleich 
commanded the regiment. The Sixty-first 
was consolidated with the Eighty-second at 
Goldsboro; at its last roll call only fifty-five 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



401 



names responded. It was mustered out at 
Columbus, in September, 1865. 

The Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
contained one company, I, enlisted in Fair- 
field county. Peter Bunn was the original 
captain, but soon resigned and Lieutenant 
Peter Hewiston was promoted to the va- 
cancy, where he remained until mustered 
out in October, 1864. Henry S. Beck was 
made captain of this company on its re-en- 
listment. 

When Hood attempted to cut ofif General 
Sherman's communications, the Forty-third 
assisted in the chase and on its return to 
Atlanta, joined in the "march to the sea." 
It participated in the grand review at Wash- 
ington (as did also the Sixty-first), and was 
mustered out July 13, 1865. 

The Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
was organized October 16, 1861, and con- 
tained two companies, recruited in Fairfield 
county — C and F. Company C had John 
Wiseman for captain; Company F had 
Henry Giesy for captain. Captain Giesy 
was promoted to major and was killed at 
Dallas May 28, 1864. The Forty-sixth was 
in many sharp engagements, was compli- 
mented for gallantry at Bentonville. During 
all its engagements, it lost twenty men 
captured and had seven hundred and five 
killed, wounded and that died of disease. 
It was mustered out at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, July 22, 1865. 

The Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
contained Company I, recruited in Pickaway 
and Fairfield counties by Captain Samuel M. 
Morrison ; William Roby and Stephen De- 
fenbaugh were lieutenants. It was in many 
battles — the last service being at Vicksburg 
Jan. 14, 1865, after which it was mustered 
out at Columbus. 

The Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer In- 



fantry contained one full company — Com- 
pany A — from Fairfield county. James C. 
Henley was authorized to recruit a company 
for the Eighty-eighth. He did this, but for 
some reason it was transferred to the 
Eighty-fifth becoming Company K. 

In September, 1862 Captain Henley re- 
cruited another company near Royalton and 
Pleasantville. It was enlisted for three 
years, and though anxious to go to the field, 
the three years' service were spent in and 
about Columbus. It was mustered out July 
3, 1865. 

The Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
contained two companies from Fairfield. Of 
these, Company D was officered by Alva 
Perry, Captain John M. Sutphen, first lieu- 
tenant, and (ieorge W. Welsh, second lieu- 
tenant ; Company I by Lewis R. Carpenter, 
captain, Augustus R. Keller, first lieuten- 
ant, and Samuel L. Weidner, second lieu- 
tenant. Captain Perry was promoted to 
major in April, 1863, and Lieutenant Sut- 
phen succeeded him as captain of Company 
D and was mustered out with the regiment. 
Captain Carpenter resigned and Lieutenant 
Keller was promoted to captain. Lieuten- 
ant Weidner also attained this rank. This 
regiment, after many engagements, the last 
of which was Nashville, remained at Nash- 
ville until the surrender of the rebel troops 
and was then sent to Ohio and mustered out 
of service. 

The One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry had one company — 
Company K — recruited from Fairfield and 
Pickaway counties. George W. Hurst of 
Williamsport was its first captain and Isaac 
Butterfield and Joseph Bury, lieutenants. 
The captain resigned and both lieutenants 
became captains. This regiment was in eight 
hard fought battles and many skirmishes 



402 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and many died from disease. It performed 
duty in ten different states and marched by 
land and water over ten thousand miles. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-sixth was 
organized at Camp Steubenville. Eight 
companies were ready for marching when 
three arrived from Fairfield and Perry coun- 
ties. These three companies were consoli- 
dated into two, Company I being from Fair- 
field, Company K from Perry. Company 
I was recruited from Richland, Rush Creek, 
Walnut and Pleasant townships. Captain 
Henry C. Yontz of New Salem commanded. 
Jacob Lamb and Joseph C. Watson were 
lieutenants. The lieutenant colonel of this 
regiment — ^the brave Aaron W. Ebright of 
Fairfield county, was killed at Winchester, 
Virginia, September 19, 1864. This regi- 
ment did much active duty — was at Ma- 
nasses Gap, Rapidan, Cold Harbor, Monacy 
and Winchester and lost heavily. It was 
mustered out near Washington, June 25, 
1865. 

The One Hundred and Seventy-eighth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry was commanded 
by Colonel J. A. Stafford. It was recruited 
for one year's service in the fall of 1864. 
Company C was composed of Ross and Fair- 
field county men. 

The captain was Charles Cavinor of Ross, 
the lieutenants H. P. McGren and J. A. 
Seins, of Fairfield. This company was mus- 
tered out June 29, 1865. 

The First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry was 
organized at Columbus late in the summer 
of 1861. Company F was from Fairfield 
county, recruited by its Captain Valentine 
Cupp, who was afterwards promoted to 
major, and lieutenant colonel and fell at 
Chickamauga. Lafayette Pickering was pro- 
moted to the captaincy. After participating 



in many engagements this regiment was 
mustered out in September, 1865. 

The Eleventh Ohio Cavalry contained one 
company, C, largely from Fairfield county. 
This company was oflficered by Thomas L. 
Mackey, of Chillicothe, Captain John Van 
Pearce of Lancaster, first lieutenant, and 
Thomas P. Clark of Springfield, second lieu- 
tenant. Through the promotion of Mackey, 
Van Pearce became captain and John P. 
Ree\es of Lancaster, lieutenant. 

There were many other regiments that 
contained Fairfield county men yet few, if 
any, besides those mentioned that contained 
a whole company. In all, the county had in 
serxice more than three thousand soldiers. 
They were nearly all volunteers — only one 
or two drafts were made and they were 
small. In the Sixty-second, Clement F. 
Steele of Lancaster was commissioned 
major at its organization, but rose to the 
rank of lieutenant-colonel. Henry B. 
Hunter of Lancaster was lieutenant colonel 
of the One Hundred and Twenty-third reg- 
iment. 

A. A. Graham says : "Fairfield county 
may well pride herself on the number and 
ability of the commanders she furnished for 
the war. Besides the regiment and com- 
pany officers whose record for brave and gal- 
lant service is not surpassed by any other 
county. She can claim a lieutenant general, 
two major-generals and several brigadier- 
generals." [For list of officers see "Lan- 
caster in the War."] 

"William T. Sherman for many years gen- 
eral of the United States Army, was born at 
Lancaster February 8, 1820. His father, an 
eminent lawyer, died when William T. was 
nine years old and he was adopted into the 
family of Hon. Thomas Ewing. He entered 




jFlFa^ 

m m ' «•- . mm 






AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



405 



West Point in 1836 and graduated four 
years later. Remainng in the regular ser- 
vice thirteen years, he resigned his commis- 
sion to engage in banking business at San 
Francisco. In 1857 he turned his attention 
to law and practiced for a year or two in 
Kansas. He conducted the Louisiana Mili- 
tary Academy for a year or more but re- 
signed on the lirst intimations of tlie ap- 
proaching war. When called to his coun- 
try's service he was president of the St. 
Louis Street Railroad Company. His bril- 
liant career throughout the four years' 
struggle has immortalized his name and 
made it a familiar household word of de- 
voted patriotism. 

Thomas Jl. Ewing, a son of Hon. Thomas 
Ewing, was born at Lancaster August 11, 
1829. He received a liberal education and 
began practice at the bar. In 1856 he re- 
moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, and soon 
rose to the rank of a leading lawyer. He 
recruited .the Eleventh Kansas Infantry, of 
which he was appointed colonel. For gal- 
lant services at Prairie Grove he was pro- 
moted to brigadier-general in March, 1863, 
and soon after assigned to the command of 
the District of the Border, afterwards to the 
St. Louis District. At Pilot Knob, Septem- 
ber 27, 1864, he commenced one of the most 
stubborn and sanguinary conflicts of the war 
with an enem}' vastly exceeding him in the 
number of men. His withdrawal from the 
place and the retirement of his forces to 
RoUa was masterful and won for him the 
rank of brevet major-general. He resigned 
his command March 12, 1865. 

Hugh Ewing, the brother of Thomas 
Ewing, was engaged in the practice of law 
at the breaking out of the war. He was 
appointed brigade inspector of the Third 
Brigade Ohio Militia in May, 1861 ; he par- 



ticipated in the battle of Rich Mountain, and 
in August, 1861, was appointed colonel of 
the Fortieth. He rose to the command of a 
brigade and served efficiently throughout 
the war. For meritorious services he was 
brevetted major-general March 13, 1865." 

The connection of Jacob A. Stafford with 
the First Ohio, and as a colonel of the One 
Hundred and Seventy-eighth has already 
been mentioned. March 13, 1865, he was 
brevetted brigadier-general. 

Newton Schleich was appointed one of the 
three brigadier-generals to command Ohio 
troops during the three months' service. At 
the expiration of that time he recruited and 
commanded the Sixty-first Ohio. 

LANCASTER IN THE WAR 

Lancaster furnished a large number of 
soldiers for the Union Army from 1861 to 
1865. Of the number enlisted, sixty-three 
were, at the start or before the close of the 
war, commissioned officers. The following 
are their names. Men of both political 
parties are in this list, and they were brave 
and true. 

Gen. W. T. Sherman. 

Major-Gen. Thomas Ewing. 

Major-Gen. Hugh Ewing. 

Brigadier-Gen. Chas. Ewing. 

Captain Ezra Ricketts. 

Capt. D. P. Sullivan. 

Capt. B. H. Showers. 

Capt. Levi Cornwall. 

Col. John M. Connell. 

Col. L. M. Dayton, of Sherman's staff. 

Capt. John Sears. 

Capt. W. E. Felton. 

Lieut.-Col. A. W. Ebright. 

Maj. \y. G. Clark. 

Capt. Joseph Bury. 

Capt. J. M. Sutphen. 



406 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Capt. Zack Heed. 

Col. H. B. Reese, paymaster. 

Maj. Andrew Davidson, assistant sur- 
geon. 

Capt. J. W. Stinchcomb. 

Capt. J. T. Weakley. 

Capt. E. A. Richards. 

Capt. Leo Noles. 

Brig.-Gen. by Brevet J. A. Stafford. 

Capt. A. Ogden. 

Capt. W. H. Walker. 

Col. Newton Schleich. 

Lieut.-Colonel H. B. Hunter. 

Capt. J. C. Henly. 

Capt. John Van Pearse. 

Capt. Isaac Butterfield. 

Maj. H. H. Giesy. 

Maj. A. H. Perry. 

Capt. L. R. Carpenter. 

Capt. John G. Reeves. 

Maj. Hooker. 

Maj. H. W. Carpenter, assistant sur- 
geon. 

Capt. Seth Weldy. 

Capt. B. J. Butterfield. 

Capt. Geo. E. Blaire. 

Lieut. C. H. Rice. 

Lieut. Chas. Young. 

Lieut. Geo. C. Rainey. 

Lieut. Irvin Linn. 

Lieut. Theodore C. Michaels. 

Lieut. Pat McGrew. 

Lieutenant Creed Ritchie. 

Lieut. Thomas Hunter. 

Lieut. Wm. H. Pugh. 

Lieut. Allen Titler. 

Lieut. Chas. E. Reck. 

Lieut. Michael Steck. 

Capt. William Wiedner. 

Capt. J. H. Arney. 

Lieut. Solomon Homan. 



Lieut. L. H. Barnes. 
Lieut. Charles Clarke. 
Lieut. Geo. Orman. 
Lieut. Chas. Heed. 

A. Z. M. 

Capt. J. B. Orman. 

R. Z. M. ' 

Lieut. Geo. Wygum. 
Lieut. Emanuel Giesy. 
Lieut. Thomas Reber. 

Maj. H. H. Giesy and Capt. Ezra Ricketts 
were killed in battle, Capt. Ricketts at 
Chickamauga and Major Giesy before At- 
lanta. Lieutenant-Colonel Ebright was 
killed in battle near Winchester, Virginia, 
and his body, as was that of Major Giesy, 
was brought back to Lancaster for burial. 
The Southland holds "the dreamless dust" 
of Capt. Ezra Ricketts. 

Capt. John Sears, of Lancaster, and Capt. 
John Busby, of Royalton, Fairfield county, 
were present in Ford's theater, Washington 
city, the night Abraham Lincoln was assas- 
sinated. They assisted in carrying the 
wounded president to the room where he 
died. Captain Sears preserves the coat, 
stained with blood of the martyred pres- 
ident. 

"To have been to the wars is a life-long 
honor, increasing with the weight of years." 
The Civil war is an event of the past ; peace 
has spread her wings over our broad ex- 
tended country, and we are a united, pros- 
perous, and happy people. 

"The blood that flowed at Lexington 
And crimsoned Lake Champlain, 
Streams still along the southern gulf 
And by the lakes of Maine." 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



407 



DEATH OF MAJOR H. H. GIESY 

[From an old Print, 1864.] 

"Again the sad note of grief mingles with 
the jubilant refrain of triumph, for the bul- 
letin of death has come, and groups of sor- 
row are constituted in our midst. A dis- 
patch received from Gen. Sherman says that, 
in an engagement of Gen. McPherson's 
Corps with the enemy near Dallas, Georgia, 
on last Saturday, Major H. H. Giesy was 
mortally wounded, and died last Sunday. 
Major Giesy was too well and favorably 
known here to require more than a brief 
notice. A young man of excellent habits 
and disposition ; he had been liberally edu- 
cated and had been admitted to the bar 
when the call came to arm against the re- 
bellion. He was a person of more than 
ordinary military spirit and from the or- 
ganization of Captain Cloud's company in 
this city, some two years before the war, he 
had been one of its most active members. 
We may here observe that nearly all the 
members of that company have been made 
commissioned ofificers. Major Giesy was 
the Orderly of that company when it was 
ordered to report for the three months' serv- 
ice, under the call of the President. At Co- 
lumbus he was detailed to raise another 
company in this count)', which he did in a 
few days. He was elected Captain of the 
company by the unanimous vote of its mem- 
bers. He was with the 17th Regiment tlur- 
ing its three months' organization, sharing 
its fatiguing marches in West Virginia. Re- 
turning from that campaign, he immedi- 
ately commenced to raise a company for the 
three years' service, which when done, he 
was assigned to the 46th Ohio. If we say 
Major Giesy was constantly on duty with 
his regiment, and as brave and faithful as 



any, we need say nothing more, for the hard 
fighting and steady endurance of the 46th 
Regiment tell a story to which nothing can 
be added. He was promoted to Major of 
the regiment in the summer of 1863. The 
46th became a vetern regiment last winter, 
and the Major was last at home when he 
enjoyed the thirty days' furlough in com- 
mon with his men. We understand that his 
remains are expected today. We are glad 
to know his body has been saved for honored 
burial among his friends. 

" 'Tis little : but it looks in truth 
As if the ([uiet bones were blest 
Among familiar names to rest. 
And in the places of his youth. 

"Come then pure hands and bear the head 
That sleeps, or wears the mask of sleep. 
And come whoever loves to weep, and 
Hear the ritual of the dead." 

"Date of birth — Feb. 17, 1836. 

"Studied law with Judge John T, Brasee. 

"Was admitted to the Bar in Lancaster 
and practiced law in this city before the 
Civil War. 

"Fell in the Battle of Dallas at the age 
of 28." 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 

On July 29, 1882, in pursuance to a call 
a score or more of ex-soldiers met in the 
mayor's ofifice in the city of Lancaster to 
consider the organization of a post of the 
G. A. R. On motion, Capt. Geo. W. De 
Grummond was elected chairman and Capt. 
J. L. Young, secretary. After some dis- 
cussion the following petition was adopted: 

To the Commander of the Department of 
Ohio Grand Army of the Republic: 

The undersigned honorably discharged 
soldiers of the United States army having 
served during the late rebellion now desiring 



408 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to aid in the accomplishment of the objects of 
the Grand Army of the Repubhc, viz : to pre- 
serve and strengthen those kind and fraternal 
feelings which bind together the soldiers, sail- 
ors and marines, who united to suppress the 
rebellion, and perpetuate the memory and his- 
tory of the dead ; to assist such former com- 
rades in amis as need help and extend aid to 
the widows and orphans of the fallen, hereby 
make application for a charter for a post of 
the Grand Army of the Republic to be located 
in the city of Lancaster, Ohio, and we hereby 
solemnly pledge ourselves to be governed by 
and to strictly observe the rules and regula- 
tions of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
July 31, 1882. 

This petition was signed by 37 ex-soldiers. 
Aug. 10, 1882. 

Department Commander C. T. Clark and 
Chief Mustering Officer W. J. Elliott came 
to Lancaster and mustered Ben Butterfield 
Post, No. yy and installed the officers. 

The following comrades were charter 
members: Henry Blaire, I. C. Butterfield, 
George Coffman, J. W. Crook, Daniel Crum- 
ley, G. W. Crumley, H. W. Carpenter, G. 
W. De Grummond, Jacob Dittmar, Joseph 
Delong, Wm. H. Evans, George Fricker, 
John Fagley, Joseph Flemm, Albert Getz, 
H. B. Hunter, Solomon Hunter, Geo. A. 
Harman, Asa Harbaugh, Wm. J. Hughes, 
James Hockins, Nathaniel Henterly, C. H. 
Light, J. M. Morris, W. H. Montgomery, J. 
R. Onnan, Jeremiah Prather, S. W. Rainey, 
J. G. Reeves, O. W. Rigby, George Rei, 
Lewis Richwine, A. Schleckman, John H. 
Shaeffer, J. M. Sutphen, James Strode, 
George L. Sites, John A. Sears, John Sea- 
man, Justus Wyman, John L. Young, Peter 
Litzel. 

The following were elected officers : J. M. 
Sutphen, post commander; James Strode, sen- 
ior vice commander; John A. Sears, junior 
vice commander ; George A. Harman, surgeon ; 



Albert Getz, officer of day; G. W. De Grum- 
mond, officer of the guard; Daniel Crumley, 
quartermaster. J. G. Reeves was appointed 
adjutant. 

The commander appointed S. W. Rainey, 
G. L. Sites and H. W. Carpenter a committee 
to secure hall; and J. G. Reeves, J. L. Young 
and G. A. Harman committee on rules and 
regulations. There being no further business 
the commander declared the post closed. 

The post has had written in its membership 
many of rank from second lieutenant to Maj. 
Gen. Hugh Ewing. Its oldest member, John 
Horseman, aged ninety-seven, was buried a 
few years ago. Lamson Linn, now eighty-five 
years, is the last surviving Mexican war vet- 
eran in the county and is a faithful member. 

In May, 1891, the comrades and citizens of 
Lancaster chartered a train and went to the 
state encampment at Bellefontaine to secure 
the encampment for Lancaster and were 
successful. The thirty-sixth department 
encampment of the Grand Army held in 
Lancaster the following May. 1892, was an 
e\'ent in the history of the city. The interest 
and enthusiasm of the people was great. 
Large gates were erected across the south end 
of Broad street, which stood ajar as a welcome 
to the incoming comrades of the state. A 
large arch spanned the crossing of Main and 
Columbus streets and in the crossing of High 
and Broad streets in the public square was 
erected a derrick fifty feet high, on the top of 
which stood a soldier on guard, and this was 
lighted by hundreds of electric bulbs. In the 
years since comrades throughout the state re- 
fer with pleasure to the grand reception and 
entertainment given them at Lancaster. As a 
courtesy to the city the department elected 
Comrade James M. Roberts senior vice com- 
mander. 

At the encampment of the national depart- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



409 



ment at San Francisco in 1903, George A. 
Harman was elected surgeon general in honor 
to his post and city as well as himself. In 
1906 the department of encampment at Day- 
ton, Ohio, elected Comrade George A. Har- 
man commander of the department of Ohio 
G. A. R., and he appointed Comrade H. I. 
Blaire acting adjutant general and Comrade 
James M. Roberts, acting quartermaster gen- 
eral. Fairiield county did a noble part in the 
war for the preservation of the Union and her 
comrades have kept alive memory of the mo- 
mentous events in that greatest crisis in the 
history of our nation. Dr. G. A. H.\rmon. 

The present members of Ben Buttertield 
Post, No. yy, G. A. R., are: H. I. Blaire, 
Thomas Benadum, John Benadum, Andrew 
Bauman, Israel Bollenbaugh, William Burgess, 
Samuel Beirley, Richard Conrad, M. H. Cow- 
den, Daniel Crumley, George Crumley, John 
Clifford, Alex. Cunningham, M. J. Dilger, 
John Davis, Thomas E. Erick, William Evans, 
John Tagley, David Fulse, W. H. Fisher, 
William Good, Albert Getz, Isaac George, J. 
B. Goman, G. A. Harman, G. A. Hamberger, 
H. O. Harding, L. M. Hunter, Peter C. 
Hine, L. M. Heisten, Elija Howard, T. J. 
Hinton, J. R. Hoskins, C. H. Heed, C. K. 
Jeuree, Solomon King, Daniel Keister, L- 
Linse3^ Lampson Linn, L. P. Lacey, W. A. 
Murphy, Jesse Milles, Solomon Kneisley, 
Dennis Piper, Theodore Proximire, J. M. 
Roberts, John G. Reeves, J. W. Ricketts, I. 
Ressler, William Strode, John T. Scott, Ja- 
cab Studor, George Spangler. J. M. Sut- 
phen, J. Spangler, Quail Tibbs, Noah Valen- 
tine, H. H. Walkers, W. H. Walker, Simon 
^^'aldeck, John Winner, T. S. Williamson, S. 
T. Wagner, James T. Wilt, L. F. Waters. 

The present officers of Ben Butterfield Post, 
No. Tj: Post Commander, Daniel Crumley; 
Senior Vice Commander, M. H. Cowden; 



Junior Vice Commander, H. H. Wallters; 
Adjutant, C. H. Heed; Quartermaster, 
Thomas E. Erick; Surgeon, George A. Har- 
man; Chaplain, J. W. Ricketts; Officer of the 
Day, Solomon Kneisley ; Officer of the Guard, 
John Fagley; Sergeant-Major, John T. Scott; 
Quartermaster Sergeant, H. I. Blaire; and 
Patriot Instructor, J. M. Roberts. 

wom.\n's relief corps 

Ben Butterfield Relief Corps, No. 200, De- 
partment of Ohio, W. R. C, Auxiliary to Ben 
Butterfield Post, No. ■]■/, Department of Ohio, 
G. A. R., was instituted on Thursday, Novem- 
ber 24, — Thanksgiving day — 1887, by Mary 
R. Greiner and Rachel A. Law, of Tom Tal- 
bot, W. R. C, No. 95, of Somerset, Ohio, with 
nineteen charter members as follows : Carrie 
Miesse, Mary L. Ogden, Clara C. Getz, Eliza- 
beth Bauman, Antonia Butterfield, Annie 
Sears, Olive Longnecker, Isabella Graves, 
T^Iary H. Hause, Louisa Hamlnirger, Catha- 
rine Slough, Catharine Flood, Brunella Walt- 
ers, Laura Harman, Laura Thomas, Mary 
Hamburger, Luella Pursell, Abbie Trout, 
Clara Ranch. 

Since that date — November 24, 1887, — 
about one hundred and fifty-nine names have 
been added to the roll of member.ship, but ow- 
ing to the fact that numbers have withdrawn 
from the order, others have removed from 
Lancaster, transferring their membership in 
many instances to other corps, and still others 
ha\e ceased to labor and have passed beyond 
the bounds of time and space, we have only 
seventy members in good standing. The fol- 
lowing members have served as corps presi- 
dents: Carrie Miesse, 1888-89; Mary L. Og- 
den, 1890; Louisa Walters, 1891-92; Caroline 
:\[. Rolierts, 1893-94-98-99; Clara C. Getz. 
1895-96; Amanda G. Miller. 1897; Samantha 
Galigher, 1900-1901 ; Alice Bell, 1902-1903; 



410 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Susannah Todhunter, 1904-05; Brunella Walt- 
ers Miesse, 1906-07; Catharine Denton Ebert, 
1908; Elizabeth Lehman, 1909; Catherine 
Crook, 1910; Susan M. Shaeffer, 191 1; Jessie 
Hooker Dysinger, 19 12. 

The amount of relief disbursed by tlie corps 
since its organization has amounted to $10,- 
000, the average amount expended each year 
being $400. Eligible children have been placed 
in the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' 
Home at Xenia and ha\e received fine mental 
and moral training, which has fitted them for 
useful citizenship. Hundreds of visits have 
cheered the old soldier and his dependent ones, 
while work along patriotic lines has not been 
neglected. 

SONS OF VETERANS 

Maj. William McKinley Camp No. 21, Sons 
of Veterans, was mustered in Lancaster, Fair- 
field county, Ohio, in October, 1901, under the 
administration of Division Commander Col. 
H. V. Speelman. 

The first officers of the Camp were : Com- 
mander, W. T. Shrieve; secretary, C. W. 
Henderly; treasurer, M. A. Hunter; council, 
H. R. Roley, B. L. Cave and L. G. Silbaugh. 

The present officers are : Commander, J. L. 
Reilley; secretary, Jonas Shrieve; treasurer, 
M. A. Hunter; council, H. R. Roley, W. T. 
Shrieve and W. C. Stewart. 

In 1905 and 1906 the headquarters of the 
Ohio Division were located in Lancaster, and 
W. T. Shrieve was the commander, H. R. Ro- 
ley, secretary, and M. A. Hunter, treasurer of 
the division. Ever since the camp has been 
mustered in it has been one of the active patri- 
otic fraternities of the city and county. The 
following members served as commander of 
the Camp in the order named : W. T. Shrieve, 
H. R. Roley, Otto H. Minick, Wm. Fishbaugh, 
Van M. Denton, M. A. Hunter. J. H. Reeves 



and Chas. Fishbaugh. Several members of 
the Camp have served on the staff of the com- 
mander in chief, and there has never been a 
year since the Camp's muster that one or more 
of its members has not served on the staff of 
the division commander. 

The following are the principles and objects 
of the Sons of Veterans : 

Founded upon a trust in Almighty God, 
with a realization that under His beneficent 
guidance the free institutions of our land, con- 
secrated by the services and blood of our 
fathers, have been preser\-ed. and upon a true 
allegiance to the government of the United 
States of America, pledging fidelity to law and 
order, this society declares its objects to be : 

First. — To perpetuate the sacrifices of our 
fathers and their services for the maintenance 
of the Union. 

Second. — To inculcate patriotism, to teach 
truthful history, and to spread and sustain 
the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty 
and justice to all. 

Third. — To help the members of the Grand 
Army of the Republic and all honorably dis- 
charged Union soldiers, sailors and marines, 
to extend aid and protection to their widows 
and orphans, and to honor the memories of 
their heroic dead through historical exer- 
cises and the proper observance of Memorial 
Day and Union Defenders' Day. 

Fourth. — To aid and assist worthy and 
needy members of our Order. 

I-AIRFIEI.D COUNTY IN THE SPANISH WAR 

Company I of the Fourth Ohio Infantry was 
mobilized at Columbus, Ohio, where it was 
mustered in. Left Columbus, Ohio, by rail 
May 15, 1898, for Chickaniauga Park, 
Georgia, arriving in camp May 17, 1898, and 
remained until July 22, 1898, when the com- 
pany left by rail for Newport News, Virginia, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



411 



arriving at tlie latter place July 25, 1898: em- 
barked on board tlie steamer St. Paul, at New- 
port News, Virginia, July 28, 1898, for Porto 
Rico; arrived at Arroyo, August 4, 1898; in 
skirmish at Guayama, August 5, 1898, antl at 
Rio de las Palmas August 8, 1898; in camj) 
outside Guayama until September 27, 1898, 
when the company marched to Arroyo and em- 
barked on the tug "Gypsum King," Septem- 
ber 28; arrived off Fajardo Beach, and raised 
the United States flag over the /Alcalde's office, 
then went into garrison and remainetl there 
until October 27th, in the meantime raising the 
United States flag over the town of Cuba, Oc- 
tober 2, and Loquillo, October loth. On Oc- 
tober 27th the company marched to Fajardo 
Beach where it loaded on the transport "Ches- 
ter," and arrived off San Juan, October 27th, 
remaining there until October 29th. The com- 
pany arrived off New York, November 2d ; 
left New York by rail, November 3, 1898: ar- 
rived at Washington, D. C, November 4tli, 
and was re\iewed by the President ; left Wash- 
ington by rail, November 4th ; and arrived at 
Columbus, November 6th ; and was granted a 
verbal furlough November 6, 1898, to Janu- 
ary 4, 1899. 

The company reported at Columbus, Janu- 
ary 5, 1899, and was mustered out of the 
United States service, January 20, 1899. The 
officers are as follows: Lewis H. Palmer, 
captain ; Fred S. Whiley, first lieutenant : Will- 
iam H. Hause, second lieutenant ; William S. 
Kindler, first sergeant; Thomas W. Nickum, 
quartermaster sergeant ; Roy T. McNaughten, 
sergeant; Frank M. Murphy, sergeant; Gay- 
lord C. Peters, sergeant; John E. Thomas, 
sergeant ; Ernest I. Curtiss, corporal ; John W. 
Littrell, corporal ; Charles Fishbaugh. cor- 
poral ; Arthur J. Phillips, corporal ; Henry C. 
Clark, corporal. There were one hundred and 
seven commissioned officers and privates. 



MUSTKK kOI.L, COMPANY F, SEVENTH REGI- 
MENT INF., O. N. G., L.\NCASTER, OHIO 

The muster roll of Company F, Seventh 
Regiment Infantry, O. N. G., showing whole- 
strength March 4, 1912, contains the follow- 
ing names of officers and men: 

OFFICERS 

T. T. Courlright, cai)tain ; E. Clyde Mattox, 
first lieutenant; Wm. J. Belhorn, second lieu- 
tenant; Otto Kindler, first sergeant. 



I'RIV.VTES 



Berry. Carl S. 
Brady, Joseph O. 
Bope, Geo. M. 
Burnside, Geo. 
Binkley, Walter 
Blizzard, Trafford. 
Brown, Franklin 
Camden, Robt. 
Cole, Webster 
Courtney, Thos. 
Cook, Chas. E. 
Clark, Chas. E. 
Cruit, Ralph F. 
Duds, Joseph A. 
Evans, H. F. 
Frye, George 
Everts, Willis H. 
Gerber, J. H. 
Fisher, Carl M. 
Gill, O. E. 
Glick, Austin 
Hillis. John W. 
Hiles, John W. 
Bowen, Hollis 
Hoffman, J. C. 
Hall, Wilbur H. 
Henrickson, Oscar 
Kinzler, Chas. 
Kindler, Otto J. 



412 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Leonard, Geo. H. 
Lerch, Freeman 
Lescallet, John F. 
Littrell, John W. 
McClintock, Harry 
Matheny, Clarence 
Martens, John A. 
Marshall, Chas. S. 
Mason, Weaver 
Nisley, E. N. 
Nisley, John E. 
Pearce, A. L. 
Primmer, Wm. O. 
Rudolph, Irvin 
Stage, John E. 
Sperry, W. D. 
Seifert, H. H. 
Stage, Geo. L. 
Sevank, H. P. 
Still. Otis 
Thompson, D. F. 
Thompson, E. P. 
Thimnes, J. S. 
Thompson, E. P. 
Van De'mark, Jonas 



Wright, C. J. 
Wells, Martin L. 
\Villiams, Geo. 
Wheeler, Wm. F. 
Wytie, J. B. 
Young, Wm. Geo. 
Zink, Wm. L. 
Strawn, C. A. 

Strength of company, January ist, 1912, 
fifty-one officers and men. 

Company meets every Monday night for in- 
struction in drill, etc. 

Company, as Company I, Fourth Ohio, saw 
service in Porto Rico during the Spanish war, 
1898. 

Company on riot duty as follows : 

Cincinnati riots, 1884. 

Wheeling creek riots, 1894. 

Jefferson county riots, 1906. 

Bridgeport riots, December, 1909. 

The company is thirty-three years old and is 
now attached to the Seventh Ohio Infantry, 
with headquarters at Marietta, Ohio, Col. H. 
D. Knox, commanding. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

THE PRESS 

The Pozver of the Press — The Ohio Eagle— "Items of Ye Olden Time" — The Lancaster Ga- 
zette — The Democrat — The Messenger — Fairfield — Pichawav Nc'U's and The Amanda 
Herald. 



THE POWER OF THE PRESS 

The world owes a large debt to those who 
have disseminated its news. In the olden 
time, runners carried tidings by word of 
mouth,, as did Eucles, the fleet runner, from 
Marathon to Athens, bringing the news of 
the great victory at Marathon, 490 B. C. 
The Kings of Babylon sent their riders on 
royal chargers, shod with silver shoes, to the 
four quarters of the kingdom, bearing the 
mandates of the throne. In modern days, 
steam transmitted the news of the world on 
land and over seas — then the electric cur- 
rent came into play: 

"It was Franklin's hand that caught the 
horse, 
'Twas harnessed by Professor Morse," 

and the nineteenth century read the news of 
all countries before noon of the ne.xt day. 
But it remains for the twentieth century, by 



Greeley, James Gordon Bennett, Richard A. 
Dana, W'hitelaw Reid, Joseph Pulitzer, Wil- 
liam R. Hearst, H. H. Kohlsaat, Victor F. 
Lavvson and Henry Watterson, are just as 
much a part of our history as are Sherman, 
Sheridan or Grant. Ohio has had many 
great and able editors, and writers — and in 
each county their names and the papers they 
represent, have become household words. 

The literary side of Fairfield's growth has 
not been neglected or overlooked ; in fact, 
the newspapers have lead the way, and the 
county can boast of a long list of ably edited 
papers, one of which "The Ohio Eagle" is 
the oldest in the State, published under one 
and the same name. It is fitting, therefore, 
that this chapter begin with an account of 
that paper. 

THE OHIO E.\GLE 

The first newspaper established in Lan- 



the aid of Wireless Telegraphy, to read the caster was "Der Ohio Adler," a weekly pe- 
world's doings almost before they happen, riodical printed in German by Jacob D. Die- 
Thus the press has exerted a most power- trich. There is some dispute as to the ex- 
ful influence upon civilization. It has spread act date this paper was started ; some say 
intelligence and moulded public opinion. 1807, and others say it was 1809. It is gen- 
The great editors of America— Horace erally understood, however, that Mr. Die- 



413 



414 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



trich came to Lancaster in 1807 and at once 
beg^an the publication of "Der Ohio Adler." 
The earlier issues of the paper are extinct 
but the \\'etzlers, now owners of the 
"Eagle," have framed, and now adorning the 
of^ce wails, several copies, dating as far 
back as 1812. 

The sheets were 16 l^y 20 inches in size, 
the paper of coarse texture, and a dull white 
color, the mechanical execution very good. 
In about 1813 the paper passed into the 
hands of Edward Shaeffer, who changed it 
to English and called it "The Ohio Eagle." 
It, was , howe\'er, issued in both the German 
and English for some time up as late as 
1816. Edward Shaefifer remained editor and 
manager for several years and was suc- 
ceeded by John Harman as editor, previous 
to 1820. The office Ijurned in 1844 and 
many of the old files were destro3'ed. In 
1828, Thomas W. White became editor of 
the "Eagle" and he was later succeeded by 
John Brough, who afterwards became gov- 
ernor of Ohio. He and his brother Charles 
conducted tlie paper in 1839. In 1841 Sam- 
uel Pike bought out the Broughs and about 
one year later he sold out to Dr. Casper 
Theil and it was while Theil was its owner 
and editor that the office burned. 

From 1844 to 1881 the following editors 
have sat in the editorial sanctum and 
wielded the editorial pen: H. H. Robinson, 
D. Robertson. F. M. Ellis, J. B. Dixon, New- 
ton Schieich, Jackson Gruber, John L. Tut- 
hiil. John M. Connell, Charles Roland, Wil- 
liam Baker, William L. Rigby, John C. Kite, 
Victor Zahnm. Tliomas Wetzler and Ed- 
ward T. Wetzler. 

Thomas Wetzler became owner of the 
"Eagle" in 1870 and occupied the position 
of editor longer than any of those who pre- 
ceded him. 



In the spring of 1890 Mr. Wetzler and his 
son, Edward Wetzler, launched on the jour- 
nalistic sea "The Lancaster Daily Eagle," 
which prospered from the first and today is 
one of the most popular of the daily papers 
in the state, while The Ohio Eagle has 
grown until it is one of the largest and most 
creditably managed weeklies in the state. 
Beyond a current newspaper literature, it 
has been strictly a political partisan paper. 
In 1828 it supported the claims of "Old 
Hickory" Andrew Jackson for the presi- 
dency against John Quincy Adams and 
after the National Convention of 1832, at 
which the supporters of Jackson adopted the 
name of "Democratic party," the "Eagle" 
continued to support the Jackson ticket in 
1836, and the Van Buren ticket against Wil- 
liam H. Harrison and has always since been 
the Democratic organ in Fairfield county, 
which has never failed to cast a Democratic 
majority at each succeeding election. 

When Thomas Wetzler died in 1899, his 
sons, Edward as editor, and Charles, as bus- 
iness manager, assumed control of the paper 
and l)oth the daily and weekly publications 
have made steady and substantial advance- 
ment. In February, 1897, Daniel B. Tidd 
became city editor of the "Daily and Weekly 
Eagle" and has held that position uninter- 
ruptedly for fifteen years and for ten years 
Miss Fannie Wetzler has held the position 
of society editor and all connected with the 
paper strive to make each issue better than 
the last. 

The "Eagle" enjoys the distinction of 
having been conducted under the same name 
longer than any other Ohio publication and 
is also one of the oldest newspapers in the 
state. 

D. B. T. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



415 



"ITEMS OF VE OLDEN TIMES 

Here is a brief item copied from "Der 
Ohio Adler" of the issue of 1809. It is trans- 
lated from the German : 

A Marriage Cross — "I hereby forewarn 
every man not to trust my wife, Margaret, or 
lend to her on my account, because I have de- 
termined not tf) pay one cent for her after 
this date." 

Governor Meig's proclamation, calling for 
volunteers to serve in the War of 1812 is 
also found in "Der Ohio Adler." 

In the English edition is found this ad- 
vertisement : 

One Hundred Di^llars Reward — Run away 
from the subscriber, li\ing in Moorefield, Har- 
din County, Virginia, on the 29th of April 
last, a negro man named Berry. He is about 
20 years of age ; height, live feet, eight inches, 
round shoulders, slender build. He is active 
and undaunted, but not viciously inclined; 
reddish lips, stutters wdien closely questioned. 
Whoever will secure said slaxe in any jail of 
the U. S. so that I can get him again, shall re- 
ceive the above reward, and all reasonable 
charges paid, if brought home, July 15. 1815. 
William Cunningham. 

The following peculiar and interesting no- 
tice to the public appeared in "The Ohio 
Eagle," August 24, 1815, over the signature 
of George Bright : 

NOTICE TO TUE PUIU.IC. 

On Sunday last, the 20th in.st., the follow- 
ing circumstance occurred at the great meet- 
ing, or love feast, held at the house of Casper 
Hufford, Raccoon Creek, three nu'les east of 
Lancaster. The subscrilier, with his wife, at- 
tended said meeting. His wife, wishing to re- 
main there till Monday following, turned the 
mare she had been riding into a large meadow, 
in which about si.xty other horse creatures 
were grazing. On the following Monday, the 
wife, intending to return home, missed the 
mare, and after a most diligent search, a dark 

80 



brown mare, without a bridle or halter, was 
found loose in Mr. HufTord's stable. No per- 
son present owning said mare, or knowing the 
owners thereof, the subscriber took her into 
his possession. He cannot conceive whether 
his creature was taken out of mistake for the 
one left behind in the stable: whether rode ofT 
or wilfully stolen. 

"The subscriber's mare is a bright bay, 
eight years old. 14 hands high, shod before, 
strong built, a natural trotter, and has some 
saddle and harness marks. Should some per- 
son have rode her off, or out of mistake taken 
away said mare, and left his own in place 
thereof, he is hereby desired, in a friendly 
manner, to return the same immediately, as 
such incautious proceedings may bring on dis- 
agreeable consequences." 

LANCASTER GAZETTE 

The "Lancaster Gazette" was first issued 
April 4, 1826, with George Sanderson and 
Benjamin Oswald, editors. The above men- 
tioned gentlemen were editors until early 
in 1830, when Mr. Sanderson became sole 
proprietor. In 1832 Philadelphia Van 
Trump, who was publishing the "Enquirer," 
became a partner and the paper was called 
the "Gazette and Enquirer." Two years 
later "Enquirer" was dropped and it became 
"The Lancaster (iazette." In 1838 Benjamin 
Moehler became sole proprietor and editor. 
In 1841 Percival and Van Forsen bought 
the paper. In 1850 it was sold to George 
Weaver, editor, and with John Wright, pub- 
lisher. In 1852 it was sold to Thomas S. 
Slaughter, who after one year sold it to a 
company, with George McEIroy, editor and 
was published by them for one year. Then 
followed Joshua Clarke, editor and proprie- 
tor, with William Kooken as publisher. 
"The Gazette" was then issued under the 
firm name of Clarke and Kooken until .April, 
i860. 

In lauuarv, i8(x), Dr. Hervey Scott pur- 



416 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



chased the "American Democrat and the 
Gazette" and combined them. Before the 
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he 
sold to Robert M. Clarke, William H. 
Kooken and John M. Sutphen. In 1863 A. 
P. Miller bought R. M. Clarke's interest and 
the firm became Miller, Kooken & Sutphen. 
In February, 1866, S. A. Griswold became a 
member of the firm by purchasing Mr. Mil- 
ler's share. In 1871 the firm became the 
Gazette Printing Co., by admitting H. W. 
Griswold, I. E. Griswold and H. C. Drinkle. 

The "Gazette" was always a partisan 
weekly, but supported John Ouincy Adams 
in 1828 and Andrew Jackson in 1832. It then 
became the organ of the Whig party in Fair- 
field county. In 1855, when the American 
"Know-nothing" party was formed, absorb- 
ing not only the Whigs but all small factions 
and also a part of the Democratic party, the 
"Gazette" adopted the American ticket. 
Two years later (1857) upon the adoption of 
the Philadelphia platform, the "Gazette" be- 
came the supporter of the Republican party. 

In 1849-50 a small daily sheet was issued, 
entitled "The Daily Gazette," and was con- 
tinued about two years. One of the princi- 
pal papers was published from the "Gazette" 
office during the fall of 1840, called "Log 
Cabin." S. A. Griswold retired on February 
4, 1896, and S. A. Pursell became his suc- 
cessor. After Mr. Pursell retired as editor, 
Malcolm Jennings became editor for a stock 
company. Later Mr. Jennings and Charles 
N. O'Brien bought and continued to run the 
paper until it was sold to a stock company in 
July, 1908, with P. L. Clark as president and 
editor. Atbou a year or two later (Feb. 26, 
1910, Air. Clark resigned and C. J. Beach 
was elected) it was taken over by the pres- 
ent management, C. J. Beach, manager and 
editor and H. J. Danker, associate. 



THE DEM0CR.\T 

Another of Fairfield's gool publications is 
"The Democrat," published on Wednesday 
and Saturday at Lancaster by The Demo- 
crat Printing Company, of which John F. 
Konkler is editor and general manager and 
C. H. Zarbaugh business manager. The of- 
fice of this paper is in the Smith Block, Nos. 
113 and 115 North Columbus Street. 

THE MESSENGER 

The first newspaper published in Balti- 
more was called "The Messenger, and its 
first issue came out on Thursday, November 
18, 1886, the work upon this first issue being 
done by Mr. B. B. Holland. It was first 
owned by William L. Mains. Mr. Mains 
sold to P. G. Evans in 1887 ; he kept it only a 
very short time, selling to George Sull, who 
in 1888 moved the paper to Rushville, Octo- 
ber I, 18S9, D. B. Kumler and William Bur- 
ton started the "Fairfield County News" and 
conducted it under that name until June i, 
1893, when Mr. E. O. Weist bought the 
paper and changed the name to the "Twin 
City News." Mr. Weist is still editor and 
proprietor and issues the paper weekly at 
Baltimore. It is a neat newsy sheet, with a 
wide circulation and a good advertising de- 
partment. 

FAIRFIELD-PICKAWAY NEWS 

The "Fairfield-Pickaway News," of 
Stoutsville, Ohio, was founded by H. O. 
Harden, Aug. 25, 1888. It is an eight-page 
paper. It has never changed hands, and is 
in a home of its own. The circulation is 600, 
subscriptions paid in advance. It is non- 
political, but independent in politics. 

THE AMANDA HERALD 

The "Amanda Herald" was established in 
1890. It is printed for the people of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 417 

Amanda, Ohio. The "News" has been the dent — except one year — since the death of 
official organ of the 90th Ohio Vol. Inf, As- Capt. A. R. Keller many years ago. (See 
sociation, and the editor has been its presi- Pleasant Township.) 



CHAPTER XIX 



GREAT LIVES AND NOTED EVENTS 

Croup I — Thomas Ezdmj, Sr., Hugh Boyle Eiviny, Gcii'l Thomas Ezdng, Jr., Charles R. Sher- 
man, General Sherman, Hon. .John Sherman, John Trafford Brasee, John Scofield Brasee, 
Judge Charles D. Martin, Governor William Medill. Group H — The Sanderson Family, 
Elisabeth Sherman Reese, Captain A. R. Keller, Hon. Henry J. Booth, Dr. Henry C. Ey- 
man, Nettie Kagay Gravctt. Hon. John G.Reez'es — Mount Pleasant. 



CKOl-P I 

Thomas Ewing, was born at West Liberty, 
Ohio county, West Va., December 28, 1789, 
and died at Lancaster, Ohio, October 26, 
1 87 1. He was reared in Athens county, and 
was the first grachiate from the Ohio Univer- 
sity at Athens, which was then die only insti- 
tution of higher learning in the North-West 
Territory. He was reared amid the pri\a- 
lions of a frontier life, and secured an educa- 
tion by great effort and sacrifice. 

He came to Lancaster in 1815, was ad- 
mitted to the Ijar the following year antl 
quickly became successful in the practice of 
the law. For se\eral years he was prosecut- 
ing attorney of Fairfield Count}-, and in this 
position succeeded in stamping out the tratfic 
in counterfeit bank notes. Mr. Ewing soon 
rose to distinction in his profession, his prac- 



he served for six years. In the Senate he 
ranked with Clay and Webster, in profound 
statesmanship and great forensic ability, re- 
ceiving from his colleagues the soubriquet of 
the "Logician of the West." Though op- 
posed to the administration and in the minor- 
ity, he, almost single handed, forced a recon- 
struction of the laws relating to the post oftice 
department and the public lands. He pre- 
])ared and carried through Congress the bill 
settling the boundary dispute between Ohio 
and Michigan. 

In 1 84 1 he was appointed Secretary of the 
Treasury by William Henry Harrison, but 
resigned some time after the succession of 
President Tyler. Upon the election of Presi- 
<lent Taylor, he was called by him, in 1849, to 
fill the office of Secretary of the Interior, then 
newly created, and this great and difficult de- 
partment he organized and conducted until 



tice being confined almost entirel>- to the t^^ ^i^j^^i^ ^j- Taylor, a year later, when he re- 
higher courts. He took a keen interest in the signed, and was almost immediately after ap- 
political controversies of the 20's. and became pointed to the U. S. Senate to fill the unex- 
the leader of the Whig party in Ohio, and in pired term of Corwin. Upon its completion. 
1830 was elected to the U. S. Senate, where he returned to the practice of the law. 



418 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



419 



During the war lie unreservedly supported 
the go\ernment. and liis judgment on matters 
of state was tre<]ucntly sought by Mr. Lin- 
cohi. When the capture of Mason and Slidell 
brought England and the United States to the 
\erge of hostilities, Ewing sent Mr. Lincoln 
the famous telegram that was decisive of the 
case. — "There can ht no contraband of war 
between neutral jjorts." He then hurried to 
Washington, and it was his advice that finally 
pre\ailed and saved the country from a fatal 
conflict with England. After the war he op- 
]}osed the reconstruction methods of the Re- 
publican party and terminated all party af- 
filiations. 

Ewing ranked among the greatest lawyers 
of his day, some of his legal arguments in the 
State and National Supreme Courts having 
been accepted and (juoted by the bench and 
bar of that time, as authorities upon the ques- 
tions involved. In habits, he was simple and 
austerely temperate ; in disposition, kind and 
considerate of others : in character, most hon- 
orable, lofty and patriotic. He was reared in 
no particular religious belief, but leaned to- 
wards Catholicity, into which faith he was re- 
ceived in his last days and lies buried in the 
Catholic cemetery at Lancaster. 

HUGH BOVI.E KWIXr. 

Hugh Boyle Ewing, son of Hon. Thomas 
Ewing, was born at I^ncaster, Ohio, October 
31, 1826. He was educated at the West 
Point Military Academy, went to California 
in 1849. returning east in 1855, was admitted 
to the bar, and in 1858 was married to Hen- 
rietta Young, of Maryland. 

In 1861 he entered the army as major, 
.shortly after receiving a comnn'ssion as 
colonel anfl taking command of the 30th 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of 
South Mountain he commanded a brigade, 
and in that capacity he greatly distinguished 



himself at .\ntietani, near the Stone Bridge. 
saving, by a brilliant movement, the left Hank 
of the army from being driven in. Receiving 
the ajjpointment of brigadier-general, he led 
the assault at Vicksburg on the 22nd of May. 
displaying signal ])ravery and ability in that 
des])erate attack, and from that time until the 
surrender of the city, held an advance posi- 
tion of the army. Erom that time on until 
the close of the war, he commanded a divis- 
ion as major-general. As commander of the 
fourth division of the fifteenth army cor])S. he 
led the assault on Mission Ridge, gaining and 
holding the advance position in that engage- 
ment, although suffering a terrific loss. .\f- 
terwards he ser\ed with efficiency and distinc- 
tion as commander of the Department of 
Kentuck}-. until the close of the war, when he 
was brevetted major-general. As a soldier, 
he endeared himself to his men, for, although 
a severe disciplinarian, he always led them in 
their desperate charges, and his military 
ability ga\e them assurance against needless 
sacrifice of life. 

General Ewing was ap])ointed by President 
Johnson, minister plenipotentiary of the 
United States to Holland, and di.scharged the 
duties of that position with credit until re- 
lieved by his successor under the next admin- 
istration. Upon his return to the United 
States he engaged in the ])ractice of the law 
in Washington, D. C, until 1874. then remov- 
ing to his boyhood home, I^ancaster, where he 
resided until his death, June 30. 1905. .\s a 
man and citizen he was esteemed for his hon- 
orable character, genial disposition and high 
literary attainments. He was the author of 
".\ Ca.stle in the Air," "The Black List," and 
a number of shorter stories. 

GEN. THOM.VS BWI.NC. JR. 

(rtneral Thomas Ewing, Jr., the .son of 
Thomas Ewing and Maria Boyle, was bom 



420 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in Lancaster, Aug. 7, 1829. He attended pri- 
vate school in Lancaster, Greenfield Academy 
and Brown University. At the early age of 
nineteen he was private secretary to Presi- 
dent Taylor. After this he attended Cin- 
cinnati law school and was graduated in 1855. 
Early in 1856 he was married to Ellen Ewing 
Cox, daughter of Rev. William Cox. For a 
brief time, Mr. Ewing practiced law in Cin- 
cinnati; afterwards, in 1857, moving to 
Leavenworth, Kan. He quickly rose to prom- 
inence as a lawyer and assisted in bringing 
about the admission of Kansas into the Union 
as a free state. 

At the age of thirty-one he was elected 
Chjef Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
state of Kansas. In September, 1862, he re- 
signed the chief justiceship and entered the 
Union Army as Colonel of the Eleventh Regi- 
ment Kansas Volunteer Infantry. For gal- 
lant conduct in the battle of Prairie Grove, in 
December, 1862, he was commissioned a 
Brigadier-General. From June, 1863, to 
February, 1864, he was in command in the 
District of the Border, comprising the State 
of Kansas and the western portion of Mis- 
souri. Later he was in command of south- 
east Missouri. In the fall of 1864 he fought 
the battle of Pilot Knob in which, with a 
single regiment, he held Fort Davidson and 
its approaches for several days against an 
army of 15,000 men commanded by Gen. 
Sterling Price and then escaped with almost 
his entire command. His operations saved 
the city of St. Louis from capture by General 
Price. 

After the war he practiced law in Wash- 
ington, D. C. Several years afterwards. Gen. 
Ewing moved to Lancaster and was elected a 
member of the constitutional convention of 
Ohio in 1873-74; a representative to Con- 
gress from 1877 to 1 88 1, and was the Demo- 



cratic candidate for Governor of Ohio in 
1879. In Congress he was the leader in the 
successful fight to amend the resumption 
scheme, so as to provide that the greenbacks 
should be reissued instead of destroyed when 
once presented for redemption. 

In 1 88 1 General Ewing retired from Con- 
gress and politics. He settled in Yonkers, 
New York, where his two sons, William C. 
Ewing and Thomas Ewing, Jr., are liying at 
the present time. He practiced law in New 
York City until his death which occurred on 
the 27st day of January, 1896. In alighting 
from a street car he was struck by a car com- 
ing in the opposite direction and sustained in- 
juries from which he died. He was one of 
the founders of the Ohio Society of New 
York in 1886, and its president until 1889. 

"In his everyday life he was pure and un- 
selfish. Though full of high ambition, he was 
hopeful and cheerful under adversity and dis- 
appointment. In manner he was dignified 
and simple ; in conversation, ready and inter- 
esting, full of humor and amiability. Al- 
ways generous and approachable, he had hosts 
of friends. No one appealed to him in vain. 
His hand gave help ; his heart compassion. 
He was an affectionate son and brother, a 
loving father, a devoted husband." 

In noting his death the "Cincinnati En- 
quirer said : 

"Though Gen. Thomas Ewing removed to 
New York about fifteen years ago, he resided 
still in the warm afTections of the people of 
Ohio. His death will be mourned in every 
community in which he ever lived. Thomas 
Ewing was an ideal gentleman. Handsome 
in person, easy and gracious in manner, and 
lofty in his ideas, he made a deep impression 
on everybody he met. He was a gallant and 
effective soldier, an able lawyer, a sincere 
statesman, and a politician who set a high 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



421 



moral example in the practice of politics. He 
was worthy to be the son of the eminent 
Thomas Ewing of old, whose name is in- 
separably woven in the history of Ohio and 
the administration of national affairs." 

CHARLES ROBERT SHERMAN 

Charles Robert Sherman, the father ol 
John and William Tecumseh, was born in 
Norwalk, Ct., Sept. 17, 1788, of the best of 
New England parentage. He received a good 
education, studied law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1810. The same year he was mar- 
ried to Mary Hoyt of Norwalk, who had re- 
ceived education at the Poughkeepsie Fe- 
male Seminary, one of the best of the early 
schools. This young couple started out in 
life equipped well — were of fine parentage 
both of them — had a good education, and, 
as was shown by their after lives, a firm de- 
termination to make their mark in the 
world. Without a doubt these splendid 
characteristics of these pioneer parents were 
evidenced in the lives and careers of their 
most unusual children. In 1810 Charles R. 
Sherman made the long trip to Ohio from 
Connecticut to look up a location. He came 
to Lancaster, decided to locate there, and 
returned east for his wife. In the summer 
of 181 1 Mr. Sherman and his wife took their 
infant son, Charles Taylor, and started on 
that long and perilous journey. They trav- 
eled all of the way on horseback, alternately 
carrying the baby on a pillow before them. 

Established in Lancaster in the prosecu- 
tion of his profession, Mr. Sherman rose rap- 
idly to prominence. In two years after lo- 
cating here he was appointed by President 
Madison collector in internal revenue, and 
this position he held four years. But it was 
in the law that Charles Sherman made his 
reputation. His was a brilliant mind, en- 



riched w ith the choicest gems from the class- 
ics. He made himself familiar not only 
with law but with whatever was worthy of 
reading outside the law. 

During the pioneer years of Ohio, its law- 
yers were obliged to travel extensive cir- 
cuits to practice their profession. They ac- 
companied the courts from county to county 
and thus, as they traveled together and en- 
dured the same hardships and privations, 
the warmest personal friendships grew up 
between them. It is told that at one time 
Gen. Philamon Beecher, Judge William Ir- 
vin, Sherman and Ewing, were traveling to 
a southern county, when, because of swollen 
streams, they were delayed. Saturday night 
found them twenty miles from their destina- 
tion. At the home of a kind host they en- 
quired for public service on Sunday, not 
even thinking to pursue their journey on the 
Sabbath day. When told that there was no 
service on that day, it was agreed that Sher- 
man should preach. Word was quickly sent 
about to the settlers that a lawyer would 
preach that Sunday and the little church was 
filled with an audience who heard a fine ser- 
mon from one of God's heroes. 

In 1823 Sherman was elected by the legis- 
latiue judge of the Supreme Court, and per- 
haps the only man in Ohio who doubted his 
ability to fill the honored position was 
Charles R. Sherman himself. His official as- 
sociates were Calvin Pease, Jacon Burnet 
and Peter Hitchcock — names of renown in 
the judicial history of Ohio. 

Judge Sherman was an able and conscien- 
tious judge. His written opinions show a 
mind of choicest legal capabilities. They are 
clear and comprehensive and are respected 
by this and other states as judicial dicta of 
the highest authority. He won the affection 
and confidence of his associates on the 



422 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



bench, as he had that of his friends in pri- 
vate life, and above all he won confidence for 
his unswerving integrity as a judge and as 
a man. 

In those early days it was required that 
the Supreme Court hold an annual term in 
each county of the state, two judges officiat- 
ing. Everywhere that Judge Sherman held 
court he made friends, while the younger 
members of the bar idolized him. He had 
entered the sixth year of his official term, 
was in the meridian of his life — only 41 
years old — when about to open a session of 
court at Lebanon, Warren county, and when 
apparently enjoying robust health, he was 
attacked by a fatal malady and died before 
his devoted wife could reach his bedside. It 
was in Lancaster among his friends and 
neighbors that the grief at his death was in- 
expressible. It is said that men wept in the 
street. One who knows says that he had 
not a personal enemy in the world. 

The subject of our sketch filled a high 
place, but what shall we say of that mother 
who was left with the care of eleven chil- 
dren, no one of whom had reached his ma- 
jority, and with limited means for their sup- 
port? No wonder John Sherman, in his 
autobiography, says of her, "Of my mother 
I can scarcely write without emotion, 
though she died more than forty years ago." 

The friends of John Sherman came to her 
support in caring for her children. Mr. 
Ewing was perhaps the closest friend in 
Lancaster and he came to the help of the 
widow and adopted William Tecumseh into 
his own family, rearing and educating him 
with his own children, and when a suitable 
age procuring for him a cadetship at West 
Point. John Sherman went at the age of 
eight to make his home with a cousin of the 
same name at Mt. Vernon and here he re- 



mained four years, returning to his mother 
at Lancaster at the age of twelve. The 
eldest son, Charles T., was for many years 
district judge of the northern district of 
Ohio. 

In 1844 Mrs. Sherman removed to Mans- 
field, where John Sherman and the two 
youngest daughters made up the family. 
The children soon married and the mother 
kept house till her death in 1852. The 
eleven orphan children of Charles R. Sher- 
man form an illustrious family. The daugh- 
ters were all married to men who made their 
mark in the communities in which they 
lived. The sons were all prosperous in busi- 
ness or professions. Elizabeth married Will- 
iam J. Reese; Amelia, Robert McComb, of 
Mansfield; Julia, John G. Willock of Lan- 
caster; Susan, Thomas W. Bartley of Mans- 
field, who became Governor of Ohio and 
judge of the Supreme Court, and Fannie 
married C. W. Moulton of Cincinnati. One 
granddaughter became the wife of Senator 
Don Cameron of Pennsylvania, another was 
the wife of Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., 
another married Judge Samuel Reber of St. 
Louis, and a fourth is Mrs. Judge Granger 
of Zanesville. 

The good mother lived to see her children 
well established in the world, and her two 
favorite sons just entering upon careers as 
wonderful and as honorable as any of the 
century. 

GENERAL SHERMAN 

The Shermans came from a long line of 
distinguished ancestry. They were of Eng- 
lish blood, descended from Edmond Sher- 
man, of Dedham, Essex County, England, 
who came with his family to Boston in 1635. 
The noted Roger Sherman, a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, Senator Hoar, 



AND REPRESENTy\TIVE CITIZENS 



423 



and William M. Evarts were all kindred. 
Many of these relatives were lawyers and 
judges, among them being Taylor Sherman 
(1758 to 1H15), a grandson — three genera- 
tions removed — of Edmond Sherman, who 
received a land grant in Ohio, and was a 
prominent lawyer and judge in Norwalk, 
Connecticut. 

His son Charles Robert was admitted to 
the bar in Norwalk, Conn. In that city he 
married Mary Hoyt, and in 181 1 they came 
to Ohio and settled in Lancaster. (See sket;ch 
of Judge Charles R. Sherman.) He was the 
father of the subject of this sketch and of U. 
S. Senator, John Sherman. 

General Sherman was, by the death of his 
father in 1829, left an orphan, and Hon. 
Thomas Ewing, from the high regard in 
which he held the memory of Judge Sherman 
ofifered to adopt- the lad, then only nine years 
old. Thus it was that William, or "Cump," 
as he was most familiarly known, came to 
live with the elder Ewing, and remained 
there until he was sixteen, at which time he 
entered West Point as a student of military 
science. In 1850 he married the eldest daugh- 
ter of his benefactor, Hon. Thomas Ewing. 
The association with Mr. Ewing and his 
noted family was, all through life, a wonder- 
ful benefit to General Sherman, for after 
Webster's death Thomas Ewing was the 
leader of the American bar. James G. Blaine, 
who knew him well, and was often a guest at 
his home in Lancaster, says of Mr. Ewing: 
"He was a grand and massive man, almost 
without peers. With no little familiarity and 
acquaintance with the leading men of the 
day, I can truly say I never met one who im- 
pressed me so profoundly." Thus it is readily 
seen that young Sherman had about him 
great men. for the Lancaster bar at that time 
had a long list of men of national repute, and 



from these grand spirits he had daily train- 
ing, though largely unconscious of the fact. 

His early education was obtained in Lan- 
caster schools. While on the playground 
among his playmates the tendency to com- 
mand was seen, for he would marshal his 
l)oys on his side of the game, and by en- 
couragement and direction win in their 
youthful sports. It is related that a Norman 
lad conquered, by grit and determination, a 
huge wolf hound. The royal father of the 
lad looked on in amazentent at the contest, 
but felt that it was an indication of future 
triumph. It was, for history now calls that 
lad William the Concjueror, the hero of the 
Battle of Hastings. So can we see, in the 
early life of the Sherman lad, on the school 
ground, something of the (lualities that led tlie 
Union forces to grand and lasting victory at 
Shiloh. at Vicksburg and Chattanooga, and 
that led them in irresistible sweep "From .At- 
lanta to the Sea." 

He graduated from West Point sixth in his 
class, 1840, and he rose rapidly from the rank 
of Second Lieutenant to Captain; then, in the 
Civil War to Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers; Lieutenant-General in 1866, and Com- 
mander-in-chief in 1869. 

Perhaps his most noted military achieve- 
ment was the famous "March to the Sea." 
This was accomplished in the face of bitter 
opposition by the military experts who called 
the "March" the work of insanity, and said 
the army was destined to disaster. 

In this expedition he took great risk, for 
he was in the enemy's country with no base 
of supply, and without surplus provisions. 
Yet he pressed boldly "On to the Sea," and 
on Christmas, 1864. sent this laconic message 
to President Lincoln : "I beg to present to you 
as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah 
with 150 guns, plenty of ammunition and 



424 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



25,000 bales of cotton." General Grant pro- 
nounced him "the best field officer the war 
had produced." Sherman had originality of 
design, such fertility of resource, and bril- 
liant strategy that the world commended his 
genius. When his father, Charles Robert 
Sherman, was mildly criticized for giving his 
infant son the name of a "cruel, blood-thirsty 
Indian," he quietly replied: "Tecumseh was 
a great warrior and the greatest Indian of his 
race." 

General Sherman was a plain, direct and 
forceful speaker. One of the most widely 
quoted expressions of any public man was 
that uttered by him in an address delivered at 
the old State Fair Grounds, now Franklin 
Park, Columbus, Ohio, on the afternoon of 
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1880, before the Re- 
union of Civil War Veterans and ex-prison- 
ers of war, in which he said : "There is many 
a boy here today who looks on war as all 
glory, but, boys, war is all hell." 

From one who had seen war as he had 
seen it, this expression of a great truth caused 
profound discussion of the question, "Is war 
ever justifiable?" General Sherman died in 
February, 1891, in his home in New York 
City at the age of seventy-one. He was 
buried, at his own request, by the side of his 
wife and son William, in a cemetery in St. 
Louis, and he sleeps there today beneath a 
modest stone designed by himself. 

General Sherman has honored Lancaster, 
where he was born and reared, and his name 
will never cease to be spoken with pride by 
every citizen of Lancaster and Fairfield 
County. 

This sketch can be closed in no more force- 
ful manner, than in the words of his biog- 
rapher and friend. General Manning F. 
Force : "General Sherman was the most 
picturesque figure of the Civil War. His 
character was absolutely pure and spotless." 



HON. JOHN SHERMAN 

Of the many famous men born in Lan- 
caster, Ohio, perhaps John and William 
Tecumseh Sherman are the two who are 
world wide in their fame. John Sherman 
was born at Lancaster, May 10, 1823. In 
early life, he struggled as other fatherless 
boys have done. He lived four years, from 
eight to twelve (1831-35) with a cousin of 
his father's at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. On his re- 
turn to Lancaster he attended Howe's Acad- 
emy for about two years, then we find him as 
rodman for Colonel Curtis, an engineer. His 
leisure moments were all spent in improving 
his mind, else how could he, at the age of 
twenty-one, after studying law with his 
brother, Charles T., at Mansfield, be admitted 
to the bar in 1S44, by the Supreme Court of 
Ohio. He began the practice of law with his 
brother, Charles, at Mansfield and it was soon 
evident that he would rise to eminence. In 
1852, at a Whig Convention in Columbus as 
a delegate, he made a brief, though brilliant 
speech, and from that moment his political 
success was assured. In 1854 he was elected 
to Congress and as Congressman, U. S. Sen- 
ator and member of the President's Cabinet, 
he was successively in office for 42 years. 
Senator Sherman was a true statesman and 
perhaps did more for his country in the lower 
House of Congress, and in the Senate, than 
any other one man. The "Philadelphia 
Ledger" in 1892 said of him, "In a conspic- 
uous degree Senator Sherman of Ohio repre- 
sents the noblest principles and traditions of 
the Republican party. He is an astute politi- 
cian ; but much better than that, he is a wise, 
public-spirited, broad-minded statesman." 

In Washington, D. C, Oct. 22, 1900, this 
noted man died and he is buried beside his 
wife in Mansfield, Ohio, which city was his 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



425 



home for so many years. Like liis brother 
VVilham Tecumseli, he was modest and un- 
assuming. He had great power as a speaker, 
but greater as a quiet reasoner and thinker. 
While he did not attain to the high rank of 
president, his work as a pubhc servant will 
stand the test of time. In all his success he 
never forgot the debt he owed to his mother, 
whose good sense, strong will, and tender love 
reared a large family almost unaided and 
alone. In his autobiography he pays her the 
tribute of a devoted son : "Of my mother I 
can scarcely write without emotion, though 
she died more than forty years ago." 

JOHN TRAFFORD BRASEE 

John Trafford Brasee, in former years a 
leading light of the Fairfield County Bar, 
and one of the county's most eminent citi- 
zens, as well as one of the state's most eminent 
jurists, was born near Hillsdale, Columbia 
County, N. Y., December 24, 1800, a son of 
William and Magdalen (Trafford) Brasee. 
His paternal grandfather, Andreas Brasee, 
served in the Revolutionary War, as a member 
of the Tenth Regiment, Albany Company 
(Land Bounty Rights). 

During the winter of 1817-18 he went to 
school to Arnold Truesdell, a young man but 
a very competent teacher. He spent this time 
in improving his penmanship and in com- 
pleting his knowledge of arithmetic, ^\'hile at- 
tending this school lie wrote into a book pro- 
vided for the purpose the entire contents of 
Dabell's arithmetic and worked out every sum 
therein and copied the work into that book. 
Thus the whole subject became very familiar 
to him and he never afterward had an}' diffi- 
culty in solving the most abstruse problems. 

He came to Ohio in the summer of 1818. 
Knowing his education to be defective, Mr. 
Brasee made inquiry for the best school in 
Ohio and was directed to the Ohio LTniver- 



sity at Athens, Ohio. He proceeded to 
Athens, reaching there shortly after the 
Fourth of July, 1819 and went to board with 
Gen. John Brown, with whom he boarded 
almost continually for seven years. He im- 
mediately entered the grammar school of the 
college, having about $100 of J. H. Piatt's 
money, which was the principal currency at 
that day in that part of Ohio. He gave it as 
payment on his board to General Brown. 

He had not been in Athens long before he 
made the acquaintance of Henry Bartlett, the 
clerk of the court, and was employed by him to 
assist him whene\er he had leisure time. After 
being there for a couple of years he taught a 
village school for one quarter. In January, 
1824, Mr. Thomas Ewing was desirous of em- 
ploying a competent teacher to take charge of 
the Academy at Lancaster and Mr. Brasee was 
employed at $200.00 for six months, he first 
having obtained leave of absence from the 
faculty of his college. 

Coming to Lancaster with Mr. Ewing, he 
stopped at John Noble's hotel. That evening, 
in the parlor of that hotel he met the trustees 
of the Academy. These included Mr. Ewing, 
Judge Scofield, John Noble, Samuel F. Mac- 
Cracken, David Reese and others. After in- 
forming him about their academy, the meeting 
adjourned with the understanding that he was 
to be the teacher. 

He remained here without intermission for 
six months, which brought him to August, 
1824 — the time when the commencement at 
Athens took place. He returned to Athens, 
graduated with his class and declined a reap- 
pointment as instructor in the Academy. 

Soon after his return to .Athens, Mr. Bart- 
lett, being an aged man, gave him charge of all 
his clerical work — dividing fees equally — and 
the possession of a room near his office where 
he could read law. He began the study of law 



426 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



with Joseph Dana, the professor of languages 
in the college, who came every Saturday night 
to examine him in his studies. In the spring 
of 1826 — his two years of the study of law 
had expired — he having entered himself as a 
law student before his graduation. At that 
time he was well qualified for admission to 
the bar. When the Supreme Court met at 
Burlington in Lawrence County, he was ex- 
amined by Judges Peter Hitchcock and Jacob 
Burnett and was admitted to the bar. He se- 
lected Gallipolis as a good place to open his 
law office. Thomas Irvin, who lived there 
had the winter previous been elected President 
Judge, and Samuel F. Vinton was then and 
for several years afterward a member of 
congress. He provided himself with a fine 
horse and other necessary things and began to 
attend the courts regularly in the counties of 
Gallia. Lawrence, Scioto, Pike. Jackson. 
Athens, Washington and Meigs, and at Point 
Pleasant, Va. 

His practice grew far exceeding his expecta- 
tions, and by the fall term of 1829 he pur- 
chased a fine lot, paid for it and commenced 
the building of a two-story dwelling. In 
November of that year — 1829 — he was mar- 
ried to Mary Jane Scofield, daughter of Judge 
Elnathan Scofield of Lancaster, 0. That 
winter they boarded with the widow of Ed- 
ward W. Tupper and in the spring following 
moved into their new home, which was just 
completed. 

Mr. Brasee's law practice became very ex- 
tensive, covering not only this state but ex- 
tending into numerous other states and into 
the United States Courts. Mr. Brasee first ap- 
pears in the Ohio reports in the case of Smith 
vs. Bing, 3, O., 33, which was decided in 1827. 
the year after his admission. The Ohio bar. 
during Mr. Brasee's active career, contained 
many able men, of great ability and legal learn- 



ing. He stood as a peer among them and was 
not only an able advocate and profound lawyer, 
but a highly cultured and agreeable gentleman. 
He was noted on the circuit for his apt and 
(juaint anecdotes. He was a brilliant speaker 
and was very successful before juries. His 
arguments on the facts of a case were remark- 
able for their completeness in presenting the 
whole case, showing the mastery of the facts 
and an appreciation of the strong and weak 
points on each side, and ability to sift evidence, 
and apply it to build up his theory as to the 
truth of the matter. His leading characteristic 
was his knowledge of the law in its most 
elementar)' principles. In special pleading and 
in equity pleading he was a master and he was 
ready and proficient in all matters of evidence 
and practice, which made him formidable in 
the trial of cases. His forte was in arguments 
to the court. His mind was at once acute and 
logfcal and his industry was such that he was 
always found fully armed and ready for the 
fray, whoever might be the champion of the 
other side. 

JOHN SCOFIELD BRASEE, one of the 
leading lawyers of his generation at the Fair- 
field Co. bar, was one of Nature's great men. 
He was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, August 19, 
1832, his parents being John Trafford 
Brasee and Mary Jane (Scofield) Brasee. 

In 1833 the parents of the subject of this 
sketch, John T. Brasee and Mary Jane 
(Scofield) Brasee, removed with their two 
children— Ellen (later Mrs. T. W. Tall- 
madge) and John S. Brasee — to Lancaster, 
Ohio, where the latter continued to reside 
imtil his death, which occurred February 
2^, 1905. His early education was ob- 
tained in the public and such private schools 
as were available. At the age of thirteen 
he entered the Greenfield Academy, re- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



429 



maining there two years, under the tutor- 
age of the distinguished educator Dr. John 
Williams, after which time he spent one 
year at Milnor Hall, Gambier, Ohio, under 
the Rev. Norman Badger. He then entered 
Kenyon College, became a member of the 
Philomathesian Literary Society, and at the 
completion of the entire scientific and clas- 
sical courses, ranked first in his classes in 
scholarship and deportment. 

A pleasing incident occurred in 1882. 
when John Trafford Brasee Jr., son of John 
S. Brasee. was receiving his A. B. degree 
from this same institution. Without soUci- 
tation, or any knowledge of the faculty's in- 
tention on his part. President Bodine, with 
an eloquent tribute to the achievements of 
John S. Brasee, conferred upon him the M. 
A. degree. 

On the completion of his college course, 
John S. Brasee immediately entered upon 
the study of law with his distinguished 
father John Trafiford Brasee, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1854. In partnership 
with his father he began the practice of his 
profession and continued with him until the 
latter's retirement in i860. 

John S. Brasee was endowed by Nature 
with a master mind, and by the opinions 
of his elder compeers, among whom were 
Thomas Ewing, Sr., Henry Stanbery, John 
TrafYord Brasee, Hocking H. Hunter, and 
many others, he rapidly rose to great dis- 
tinction as a lawyer of thorough and com- 
plete education, great genius and power at 
the bar, both as a profound jurist and bril- 
liant advocate, and as a student and leader 
of thought and argument on great legal 
questions. One by one these legal lights 
went out and he remained the oracle of the 
Lancaster bar as long as he lived. 

He was now at the zenith of his intel- 



lectual vigor and professional greatness, 
and as counsel in more than two hundred 
cases pending at one time upon his home 
docket, and a practice extending over the 
State of Ohio and into various other states, 
and into all the courts, State and Federal, 
he was for many years the busiest man in 
h'airfield County. His friends and c(jntem- 
poraries throughout the State, conceded that, 
as lawyer and advocate, his talents and 
achievements were second to none in the ju- 
dicial history of this County. 

Gen'l. Chas. H. Grosvenor in writing of 
Judge Brasee says: — "It is seldom that 
there has appeared in Ohio a man who 
reached such distinction as a lawyer and 
yet took so great and constant an interest 
in public affairs of every character. . . . 
He was able, eloquent and accurate, he 
never boasted. . . . He held the profes- 
sion of law in such esteem and placed its 
attributes and requirements at such high 
valuation, that he could not do any act in 
connection with his profession that did not 
honor his life and adorn his character. . . . 
In social life John S. Brasee was one of the 
pleasantest of men. His wit and repartee 
were of the highest character and an hour 
with him in social conference was a pleasure 
and a joy to his friends among whom I 
might mention, Gen'l Sherman, John Sher- 
man, Gen'l Lew Wallace, Gen'l Thomas, 
Gen'l Custer, Gen'l Scofield, Rutherford B. 
Hayes, James G. Blaine. Gen'l Phil Sheridan 
and Chief Justice Waite. He left behind him 
a record of a great lawyer. He was a faith- 
ful friend and a citizen the memory of whom 
the state of Ohio may well be proud." 

Mr. Brasee was a general practitioner, ex- 
celling in all departments of the law and 
was an expert in railroad corporation law. 
He lived in an age of great development of 



430 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



railroads and always manifested an active 
interest in the same. He was the efficient 
power in tlie organization of the Ohio and 
West Virginia Railroad, now a part of the 
Hocking Valley, and was its first president. 
As a boy he assisted in the survey of the 
Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad, 
now a part of the Pennsyhania system, and 
during his entire professional career of 
nearly fifty years, was employed by them in 
some legal capacity, and as general solicitor 
for about forty years prior to his death. He 
was tendered the position of general counsel 
for the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg 
magnates to locate in New York City and 
and was sought by the Nickel Plate Railroad 
there engage exclusively in this department 
of law, both of which offers he declined, not 
wishing to remove from his native state. 

The Bar of Fairfield County has included, 
among others, such giants as the elder 
Ewing and Henry Stanberry ; and a greater 
compliment cannot be paid to it than to 
refer to the fact that in later days it num- 
bered among its members. Chas. D. Martin 
and John S. Brasee; the peers of any lawyer 
that Ohio has yet produced. 

HON. CHAS. D. MARTIN 

Hon. Charles D. Martin, whose services on 
the bench and at the bar and in offices of great 
public responsibility have justly made his 
name a distinguished one in Ohio, was still in 
active practice when he had reached his 
eighty-first year, an age when the ordinary 
man seeks his "slippered ease." Judge Martin 
was born August 5, 1829, at Mount Vernon, 
O., and was a son of Joseph and Susan 
(Thomas) Martin. His ancestry is traceable 
to both England and Ireland. In 1806 his 
grandfather became an early settler in Knox 
County, Ohio. 



Charles D. Martin prepared for a higher 
educational institution in the local schools 
and later became a satisfactory student in 
Kenyon College, at Gambler, and following 
this studied law for several years with the 
law firm of Martin & Effinger, in Fairfield 
County, and in 1850, was admitted to the bar. 
He almost immediately located at Lancaster 
antl with her bar he has been almost contin- 
uously identified ever smce, his intervals of 
absence being when performing high official 
duties at other points, for which his excep- 
tional talents made him eligible. In 1858 he 
was elected to Congress on the Democratic 
ticket and served usefully and honorably 
through his term, which expired in March, 
1 86 1. In the troubled days that followed he 
had no desire to continue in political life, and 
for many years thereafter confined his atten- 
tion to the practice of law and to the duties of 
good citizenship in the place of his residence, 
accepting many responsibilities which nat- 
urally fell upon him as a leader in civic 
matters. 

From his comparative seclusion, Mr. Mar- 
tin was called in 1883, by Gov. Charles 
Foster, to become a member of the Supreme 
Court commission to assist the Supreme 
Bench in clearing a docket which was many 
years in arrears. With the assistance of 
Judge Martin, the work of this commission 
was completed in two years. This appoint- 
ment as judge of the Supreme Court was 
particularly acceptable as it was a personal 
tribute to his qualifications as a lawyer, and 
was entirely removed from political prefer- 
ence. In 1885 and again in 1886, his party 
brought him forward as a candidate for su- 
preme judge, but since that time he never 
permitted the use of his name in connection 
with public office. Judge Martin was one of 

The most gifted of men — cultured, refined 




GENERAL GEORUE SANDERSON 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



431 



and scholarly, truly one of Nature's noblemen. 
^\'ell may the language of Antony, which he 
applied to Brutus, be applied to him : 

"liis life was gentle; and the elements 

So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up 

And say to all the world 'This was a man !' " 

His death occurred August, 191 1. 

In 1873, Judge Martin was married to 
Miss Anna Mithoff, daughter of G. A. Alit- 
hoff, formerly of Lancaster, O., and three of 
their children survive. 

GOVERNOR MEDILL 

Gov. William Medill. The name of W'ill- 
iam Medill must be added to the long list of 
Lancaster's famous men. He was not a na- 
tive of Ohio but was born in 1802 in the state 
of Delaware. He received a liberal education 
for those early days, was admitted to the bar, 
but did not gain as great eminence in his pro- 
fession as he did in politics. In 1835, 1836 
and 1837 he was a member of the Ohio Legis- 
lature from Fairfield County from 1839 to 
1843 he served two terms in Congress. Under 
President Polk, he was First Assistant Post- 
master General, and afterwards commissioner 
of Indian affairs. In 1850 he was a member 
of the Ohio Constitutional Convention, in 
185 1 was elected lieutenant-governor and in the 
year 1854 was elected governor. President 
Buchanan appointed Gov. Medill Comptroller 
of the Treasury which position he filled with 
credit. At the close of Buchanan's term he 
retired to Lancaster where he died in 1865. 
Gov. Medill was never married. At his death, 
he left his fine estate to his nephew and name- 
sake, William Medill. of Lancaster. 

GROUP II 

THE SANDERSON FAMILY 

Editor's Note. In every community there 
is some one person who stands out promi- 



nently among the other inhabitants. In the 
early history of Lancaster and Fairfield 
County and of the entire Hocking Valley that 
person was Gen. George Sanderson. 

Fairfield County is still honored by a 
nephew of Gen. George Sanderson. Mr. Will- 
iam Sanderson, a successful farmer residing 
three and a half miles east of Bremen. Mod- 
est in his tastes, but of the same sturdy 
stock, he reminds you at once of his uncle, 
the noted general. 

It will be noted that frequent reference in 
these pages is made to the historic address 
of Gen. George Sanderson, delivered in 1844 
before the Lancaster Literary Society. For 
this and other reasons it is deemed proper to 
give herewith a sketch of the Sanderson 
family, the facts for which were kindly fur- 
nished by Mr. William Sanderson, compiled 
by Rev. R. J. Black of Bremen and published 
in the "Lancaster Gazette" in 1899. 

Your reference in the "Gazette" recently 
to the late General George Sanderson, for 
many years one of the leading citizens of 
Lancaster in the olden time, has interested 
not a few of your readers, especially those 
who were acquainted with him or with other 
members of the family. They were origin- 
ally from Scotland though they came to this 
country from the North of Ireland — Scotch- 
Irish as the term goes. Many of the Scotch 
were compelled to flee from their native 
land in the days of persecution — now most 
happily driven away by the light which has 
shined'out of "The Written Word." 

The family came to Ohio from Pennsyl- 
vania, making a short stop on the way in 
Kentucky and after a brief stay in Chilli- 
cothe. they located in Fairfield County. It 
it not certainly known from what part in 
Pennsylvania they came but most probably 
from Mifilin County, as quite a number of 



432 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the leading families in Eastern Fairfield — 
the Larimers, the Works, the Hustons, the 
Blacks, the McCulloughs, the Everitts, the 
McCandlishes. etc. — were from Miiflin 
County. 

The parents of the family were Alexander 
Sanderson and Elizabeth Robertson. They 
were married in Pennsylvania Jan. 22, 1788, 
a hundred and eleven years ago. Their chil- 
dren were George, born Jan. 10, 1789: Alar- 
garet. born March 11, 1791; Robert, born 
July 23, 1793: William A., born June 16, 
1796; Alexander, born July 14, 1799; Eliza- 
beth, born May 7, 1802. 

George Sanderson was married to Nancy 
Abrams. He died in 1871. Their children 
were George, Saint Clair, Alexander, Maria 
(Mrs. Crim) and Emma (Mrs. Julian), all 
deceased but George, now a resident of 
Lancaster but who has traveled extensively 
having been in the Sandwich Islands and 
other distant countries. 

Robert married Hannah Kerr ; both are 
deceased, leaving no heirs. Margaret was 
married to Judge Heck near Somerset, and 
the only one of their family now living is the 
widow of their son, formerly Rachel Shaffer, 
now at the advanced age of 86. 

William A. Sanderson married Hannah 
Kerr. His death in the prime of life, over 
fifty years ago, was greatly regretted, but 
his widow took good care of the young chil- 
dren and raised them well. There were five 
sons and three daughters. One daughter 
Margaret (Mrs. Johnston) and two sons, 
Robert and George, and their mother died a 
number of years ago. The survivors are 
Elizabeth, Mary (Mrs. Funk), Alexander, 
John and William. 

The two remaining children of Alexander 
Sanderson and his wife Elizabeth died early 
in life. 



The family were all valuable citizens — 
Whigs in politics in the olden time. "The 
Lancaster Gazette" has been taken regu- 
larly by William A. Sanderson and his fam- 
ily ever since its establishment in 1826. 

Three of the brothers, George, Robert 
and William A., served their country in the 
war of 1812; and among other experiences 
were part of the forces surrendered by Gen. 
Hull at Detroit. The Hull surrender was so 
generally considered unnecessary and dis- 
graceful that they did not observe the terms 
of their parole, but went to work and 
raised another company, which they took to 
the front: and George became a Major Gen- 
eral. 

In his 3-outhful days, George carried the 
mail on horseback along a portion of "Zanes 
trace" (as it was called) from Chillicothe 
through Lancaster, Rushville and Somerset 
to Zanesville once a week and return. 

In after life George Sanderson was for 
many years justice of the peace in Lancas- 
ter, and it was no uncommon thing for per- 
sons in distant parts of the county who had 
some special case to take it to Squire San- 
<lerson. One such occurrence is recalled 
when the procession of persons from New 
.Salem to Lancaster in vehicles and on horse- 
back extended for one-fourth of a mile. 
Robert Sanderson was Justice of the Peace 
for a number of years in Rush Creek Town- 
ship. 

In those old days persons were known in 
order to benefit their own lands changed 
public roads, and made them worse; some- 
thing which would not be allowed now. But 
the public spirit of William A. Sanderson 
was shown by his changing a road on his 
farm from a verj' bad place to some of his 
best land; all at his own instance and with- 
out remuneration. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



433 



A much worn copy of "The Lancaster 
Gazette" for March 22, 1844 ("Gazette and 
Express" then), now on the desk, contains 
an interesting address dehvered by Gen. 
Sanderson concerning old times in the West 
and in Lancaster, the request for its publica- 
tion being signed by William Medill (after- 
ward Governor of Ohio), Joshua Clarke, M. 
A. Daugherty, John C. Pearce and Geo. T. 
McDonald. 

After his patriotism the distinguishing 
trait in Gen. Sanderson's character was his 
fairness and exact justice to all with whom 
he became acquainted in any way. His busi- 
ness qualifications were very good and his 
intellectual attainments without any benefit 
from advanced schools were altogether in 
advance of his time. 

He was the first editor and publisher of 
"The T^ncaster Gazette." 

MARY ELIZ.\BETH KKE.SK 

The eldest daughter of Charles R. Sher- 
man was Mary Elizabeth, bom April 12. 
181 2. She lived 78 years in Lancaster — all 
of her life, except ten years in Philadelphia. 
She enjoyed a wide acquaintance, was a cul- 
tured and refined woman — an extremely in- 
teresting woman — the center of social life of 
Lancaster for three-f|uarters of a century. .\t 
the age of seventeen years she was married 
to William J. Reese, a Philadelphia lawyer 
who had located in Lancaster and together 
they spent more than fifty years of married 
life in Lancaster. Mrs. Reese spent the last 
days of her life in her historic old home with 
her son. Col. Henry B. Reese, who on July 
3, 1888, retired to Lancaster after 27 years' 
service in the United States army. The chil- 
dren of General and Mrs. Reese are Col. 
Henry B. Reese, Mrs. Margaret Reber, whose 
husband was Judge Samuel Reber. of St. 



Louis, Mrs. Granger, wife of Judge M. W. 
Granger of Zanesville, Mrs. .Alfred M. Hoyt 
of New York City, and Miss Julia Leah 
Reese of Lancaster. In 1900 Mrs. Reese 
passed away in Lancaster. Tiie local chapter 
Daughters of .American Revcjlution, is named 
in her honor the Elizabeth Sherman Reese 
Chapter. 

CAI'T.AIN KEI.I.ER 

Augustus Ruffner Keller was born in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, July i, 1838, and 
died at his home in Lancaster, Ohio, May 
II, 1896, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. 
He was the youngest son of Daniel and Su- 
sannah Ruffner Keller, who were among the 
earliest, most widely known and most highly 
respected of the pioneer families of Fairfield 
County. 

A. R. Keller was a citizen of Fairfield 
County, comparatively all his life. Born and 
reared an unpretentious farmer boy, he re- 
ceived his early education in the local 
schools of the county, and later he attended 
college at Otterbein University at Wester- 
ville, and also at Ohio University at Athens. 
Intellectually, he was of a bright spirited na- 
ture; his fund of information was unlimited, 
and consecpiently he was a keen conversa- 
tionalist, delighting all with whom he con- 
versed. His patriotic sympathies early 
made him a student of the times which pre- 
ceded the rising of the secession war cloud 
of 1 861, and when its dark shadow envel- 
oped our country in its threatening folds, he 
unhesitatingly took the step which gave the 
best years of his young manhood to the 
cause of Union and Freedom. No braver or 
truer soldier ever served his country and he 
was a great friend to all who wore the blue. 

He enlisted as a private soldier in Co. I, 
Ninetieth O. V. I. at its formation in 1862; 



434 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



was made first lieutenant; transferred to Co. 
B in July, 1863; appointed captain and A. Q. 
M. in August, 1864; and subsequently quar- 
termaster of civil engineers on Gen. Steed- 
man's stafif, stationed at Chattanooga, Dept. 
of Gen. Thomas' Army of the Cumberland. 

At the close of the war, on April 20, 1865, 
he was married to Miss Margaret McFar- 
land, the youngest daughter of the vener- 
able pioneer of Greenfield Township, Mr. 
Walter McFarland. To this union were 
born four children: Helen J., of Lancaster 
and Dan M., of Chicago, while the two 
youngest, Edith and Henry Wilson, had pre- 
ceded the father to the spirit land. 

In addition to his very creditable military 
career, Capt. Keller served the public in 
various positions of trust and responsibility 
in civil life. He was always active in all edu- 
cational matters and served various terms 
on the county boards of education, where 
his name bears a living influence. He also 
served a number of years as a member of the 
Board of Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary. 
He was a presidential elector in the cam- 
paign of 1876, which resulted in the election 
of R. B. Hayes as president, under whom he 
was appointed as Indian Agent for the Crow 
Reservation, which place he creditably filled 
from 1878 to 1883. 

Capt. Keller was a member of the Ohio 
Commandery of Loyal Legion and of the 
Ezra Rickets Post, G. A. R., of Carroll. He 
was an uncompromising Republican, de- 
voted and loyal to his party. As a public- 
speaker he was eloquent and much in de- 
mand. As a journalist he was keen, intelli- 
gent and forceful. As a friend, he was true 
as steel, with a great big heart ever attuned 
to the calls of suffering humanity. 

Dr. H. A. Thompson of Dayton, an inti- 
mate friend of Capt. Keller, was present at 



the funeral and paid a most worthy and elo- 
quent tribute to a worthy man. Then 
wrapped in the flag that he had loved so 
well, the body was carried to its last resting 
place by the following, all of whom were in- 
timate friends: Captains O. B. Brandt, H. 
O. Harden, Jacob Orman, G. W. Welsh and 
John Strentz. A military salute was fired, 
the trumpet sounded "taps" and the funeral 
rites were over. 

Helen Caldwell Hadsell. 

HON. henry J. booth 

Mr. Henry J. Booth was born at Lancaster, 
Ohio, March 14, 1849. a son of Henry Mad- 
ison Booth, a descendant of a collateral 
branch of the James Madison family, and 
Ann A. (Jones) Booth, of Welsh, English 
and Scotch descent : educated in the public 
schools of Licking County — later at Denni- 
son University — and Amherst College, from 
which Mr. Booth received the degree of A. 
B. in 1873. He was admitted to the bar in 
1874 and has practiced continually in Co- 
lumbus since that time. He is now (1912) 
the senior member of the firm of Booth, 
Keating, Peters and Pomerene. 

In politics Mr. Booth is an ardent democrat 
and served his state as member of the General 
Assembly 1878-79. He has been a Trustee of 
the Ohio State University, Starling Medical 
College, Columbus Medical College and a lec- 
turer on medico-legal jurisprudence in the 
Columbus Medical College, and is now a 
trustee of Starling-Ohio Medical College. He 
is the author of "Law of Street Railways" 
the pioneer and the standard text-book on 
that subject. 

A member of the bar thus speaks of Henry 
J. Booth : "It may be safely said that in 
medico-legal cases he has no equal in Central 
Ohio, and that he has been employed in 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



435 



nearly every important will case that has been 
tried in the courts of Franklin County for a 
quarter of a century. He is an all round 
lawyer, as safe and conservative as a coun- 
selor as he is efficient in the court room. His 
oratorical powers are of a high order and his 
arguments, whether oral or written, are logi- 
cal and forceful, and statements of fact are 
re-inforced by pertinent citations of authority. 
Scholarly attainments; a modest, dignified, 
gentlemanly bearing; a respectful considera- 
tion of his professional associates and of the 
courts : a loyal devotion to clients and friends ; 
a high moral sense ; high ideals of civic duty 
— these are the qualities which have made Mr. 
Booth a leader in his community, not only as 
a lawyer, but as a citizen." 

In July 1876 Mr. Booth was married to 
Miss Madge I. Coney. They have four chil- 
dren — Florence (Mrs. Charles D. Young), 
George H. Booth, admitted to the bar in 
1906; Marjorie, and Herbert Barton. 

DR. HENRY C. EYMAN 

Dr. Henry C. Eyman, superintendent of 
the Massillon State Hospital, at Massillon, 
Ohio, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. 
April 13th, 1856. His early education was 
obtained at Fairfield Union Academy. After 
completing the course at that institution he 
taught school for several years, and then en- 
tered the Columbus Medical College, where 
he graduated with the class of 1880. Since 
then he has made mental and nervous dis- 
eases his great specialty. 

His first location was at Tarlton, Pickaway 
County, Ohio, where failing health, due to the 
severe exposures of country practice, forced 
him out of the active work for a short time. 
He and his brother, Lou Eyman, purchased a 
drug store in Lancaster. In 1884 he was ap- 
pointed assistant physician at tlie .\thens 



Asylum. In July, 1887, he was appointed as- 
sistant superintendent of the new asylum at 
Toledo. His success in the treatment of those 
mentally ill brought him deserved recognition, 
and his ability was so thoroughly demon- 
strated that he was made superintendent of 
the asylum at Newburg, Cleveland, on 
August 6, 1891. He remained at the head of 
this institution until November i, 1899, 
when he was unanimously called to the super- 
intendency of the Massillon State Hospital, 
to succeed the renowned Richardson, who 
had been elected to preside over the Govern- 
ment Hospital at Washington. 

Under Dr. Eyman's superintendency at 
Cleveland the last of the mechanical means of 
restraint were abolished. Under the old 
regime dozens of patients were kept in sol- 
itary confinement, tied to benches and chairs, 
slept in cribs, were daily subjected to the muff 
and straight jacket. Dr. Eyman had been 
educated in the school of non-restraint under 
the accomplished Richardson, and the great, 
lovable Tobey; consequently these almost 
mediaeval means of controlling the insane 
were quickly abandoned and diversion, occu- 
pation and recreation were substituted. The 
doctor was for twelve years Professor of 
Mental and Nervous Diseases in the Cleve- 
land College of Physicians and Surgeons. 
He is a member of the American Medical As- 
sociation, the Ohio State Medical and the 
.\nierican Medico-psychological Associations. 

He has written numerous monographs, and 
his contributions to the literature of his 
specialty liave attracted much attention. He 
was appointed a member of the building 
board of the Massillon State Hospital, then 
the Eastern .\sylum for the Insane, by Gov- 
ernor McKinley, and consecpiently has been 
associated with the work at this institution 
since its inception. 



436 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The founder of the Eyman family in Ohio 
was the Doctor's great grandfather. Henry 
Eyman, who, a farmer, settled in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, soon after the Revolutionary 
War, in which he had fought under General 
Washington. Henry Eyman, the first, settled 
in Virginia over 200 years ago. Henry B. 
Eyman, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was a school teacher and farmer, and 
for the last ten years of his life was mayor 
of New Salem, Ohio. He had eight children, 
namely D. S., late a resident of Rushville, 
Fairfield County. Samantha Henderson, late 
a resident of New Salem, Maggie Spitler, 
now a resident of Pleasantville, Ohio: C. B.. 
Lou E. and Homer E., residents of Lan- 
caster; Frank I'., assistant traffic manager 
Chicago and Northwestern Railway, and 
Henry C, our subject. 

Dr. Eyman was married September u. 
1880, in Fairfield County, to Miss Lestia, a 
daughter of Warren Dern, a stock dealer of 
New Salem, Ohio. Mrs. Eyman died October 
21. 1908, at Massillon. Ohio. Two daugh- 
ters, Ethel and Gladys, live with their father 
at the Superintendent's residence, Massillon 
State Hospital. 

NETTIE K.VCi.W GK.WETT 

Mrs. Nettie Kagay Gravett — Among the 
sons and daughters of Ohio who have taken 
up their residence in the far West is Mrs. 
Nettie Kagay Gravett. State Librarian of 
Colorado. Mrs. Gravett was born at Bre- 
men, Fairfield County. Ohio, during the 
throes of the Civil War. She is the only 
daughter of Rudolph and Anne Taylor Ka- 
gay, and on both sides of the family is de- 
scended from distinguished Revolutionary 
ancestry. On the paternal side she has as 
her fifth removed grandfather, James Pat- 



terson, who was the leader of William Penn 
in the Cresap Rebellion. 

Mrs. Gravett received her education in the 
common schools of Fairfield County, at 
Fairfield Union Academy and at Oxford 
College, Oxford, O., graduating from the 
last named institution in the last class under 
Dr. Robert Desha Morris, who was for forty 
years president of that school and one of the 
greatest educators of his time. 

In 1888 she was married to John Gravett. 
the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gravett, 
prominent citizens of Lancaster, O., and 
went to Little Rock, Ark., where her hus- 
band was engaged in business. They lived 
there but a short time and then removed to 
Denver in 1889. At that time the Woman's 
Club movement was in its beginning and 
Mrs. Gravett became identified with it and 
took active part in organizing and establish- 
ing clubs in different parts of the state 
where she lived from time to time. She 
served the Colorado State Federation of 
Women's Clubs, an organization of 10,000 
women, as chairman of the Art Committee, 
first vice president, and is at the present 
time the General Federation State Secre- 
tary. 

Mrs. Gravett has also been an active 
worker in the Daughters of the American 
Revolution and at present is State Confer- 
ence Registrar, D. A. R. Through the ge- 
nealogical department in the State Library 
she is arousing much interest in genealogy 
and building up the patriotic societies in the 
West. 

Ever since women were given the right of 
suffrage in Colorado Mrs. Gravett has exer- 
cised her rights of citizenship and has taken 
a deep interest in the political welfare of 
her state, at all times loyal to the cause of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



437 



women and serving her party faithfully 
whenever and wherever needed. When her 
husband died five years ago, her friends in 
Ohio urged her to return East, but she said, 
"No I would never live in a state where I 
could not have the rights of citizenship. A 
woman's chance for happiness in her home 
and success in business is infinitely greater 
in a suffrage state and I will cast my lot in 
Colorado." 

At this time Mrs. Gravett turned to li- 
brary work. She took the training in Li- 
brary Science and was appointed librarian of 
the new Carnegie Library at Salida, Colo- 
rado. She opened and organized this li- 
brary, which is considered one of the finest 
in the state. In January, igii, Mrs. Gravett 
was appointed to the ofifice of State Libra- 
rian by Mrs. Helen M. Wixson, State Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction. Here she is 
working with her characteristic zeal and en- 
thusiasm. She has undertaken the work of 
cataloguing the library and is trying to 
widen its scope of usefulness, to raise its 
standard. She is putting forth her best ef- 
forts to eliminate politics from library man- 
agement, and to better library conditions in 
Colorado. 

HON. JOHN G. REEVES 
MOUNT PLE.-\SANT 

Mount Pleasant, which is the highest soli- 
tary mountain in Ohio, is situated one mile 
due north of the crossing of Main and Broa J 
streets, Lancaster. It rears its head 250 feet 
above the surrounding plain. It has a base, 
one and one-half miles in circumference, 
and its top is not more than two acres in ex- 
tent, so that the whole resembles a hugh 
pyramid. As to the texture. Prof. Hyde 
says "Mt. Pleasant, at Lancaster, is com- 
posed wholly of sandstones, which are Cuya- 



hoga in age, and it requires considerable 
elasticity of imagination to believe that the 
massive, coarse, pebbly sandstones found 
here were deposited simultaneously with the 
shales on Salt Creek. Such is, however, the 
case." 

It is said also by geologists that an inland 
sea once spread over Central Ohio, and that 
from out of this vast expanse of water, 
"Standing Stone," as it was called by the 
Indians, raised its head, a solitary island. 
The main approach is by a gradual ascent 
from the east. Three of its sides are seamed 
by deep ravines and gullies, while the fourth 
or western slope is abrupt and sheer. 325 feet 
above the level of the Hocking river. 
Mount Pleasant is a place of unusual inter- 
est to all strangers because of the beautiful 
view which its summit affords of the sur- 
rounding country. The valley of the Hock- 
ing river is seen many miles in both direc- 
tions and the Reform i'arm can be seen six 
miles to the southwest. The Uuke of Sax- 
ony visited it in 1828 and carved his name 
in the yielding sandstone where it is still visi- 
ble. This mountain has been the scene of 
a number of tragic deaths — people have fal- 
len from its summit over the perpendicular 
side, and death has relieved their suffering 
before they reached the base. The well 
known "Summer House." a natural recess 
carved by the ages from the western side, 
was almost inaccessible until in recent years. 
an artificial ladder was placetl there. This 
latter device has removed much of the haz- 
ard in reaching the "Summer House." Be- 
fore the ladder was put in place, many men 
and women, each year, risked their lives in 
gaining this chamber. 

The beautiful story of Forest Rose. 
founded upon the "Cold Spring Rescue," an 
Indian legend, put into charming form by 



438 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 

Emerson Bennett, has added lustre to the ond Mt. Pleasant, and lastly "Rising Park'" 
age-old story of the rock. Three names from the fact that Mr. Philip Rising pur- 
have, in as many periods of time, designated chased the mountain, and graciously pre- 
this grand old pile of Nature's handiwork, sented it to the city of Lancaster as a public 
First the Indian name, Standing Stone, sec- park. 



CHAPTER XX 



CONCLUSION 



Influences that Helped to Build a Great County — A Brave, Dez'oted and Enterprising People 
— Fairfield County a Type of the Great American Nation of To-day — Sail On! Sail On! 



History is a record of what man has done. 
The tides of old ocean; the storms of winter; 
the torrid blasts of summer — all the influences 
of Nature combined have not wrought as 
great changes upon the earth's surface as has 
man, the type of an endless life. 

Long before the dawn of civilization man 
commenced to make history, to change the 
face of Mother Earth. In all the ages of 
civilized man, these changes have been grow- 
ing at an increased rate. The great virgin 
forests, once covering the earth with a shield, 
have been laid low by the hand of man. The 
streams have been bridged, and the marshes 
drained. The black diamond and the amber 
oil have been brought from the depths for the 
comfort and necessity of man. The East and 
the West, the North and South have been 
brought together by steam and electricity, al- 
most causing us to forget time and space. 

These facts apply to no part of the country 
more fittingly than to Fairfield county. 

The old Swamps — once a menace to health 
and a bar to progress — have been made 
to blossom like the rose, and well-ordered 
farms with commodious dwellings and giant 
barns, are seen on every hand. The primeval 
forest has been converted into polished floors 



of "quartered" oak; and in a thousand useful 
ways it serves the convenience of man, and 
has filled his pockets with shining gold. 

Schoolhouses and churches stand at every 
crossing of the ways, and these silent emblems 
are the means by which a great and noble 
people was evolved. Fairfield County, with 
her millions of wealth, her yet undeveloped 
resources, is an excellent type of the great 
American Nation of which she is a part. The 
same brand of patriotism that was born in the 
breast of Otis, Hancock, Jefferson, Henry 
and Adams, was found, fully ignited in the 
breasts of the people of Fairfield County 
when Lincoln sent forth his call for help, and 
in just sixty hours thereafter soldiers from 
this county were en route for W^ashington. 
Of the 100.224 common soldiers which Ohio 
sent to the war, Fairfield County furnished 
3,000. 

In the veins of the people of this county 
pours a flood of rich blood, formed from the 
mingling of the best of many nations — the 
German, the Welsh, the Scotch-Irish, the 
French, the Danish, and the English — and 
tile product is a type of citizens of energy and 
determination. 

In intellectual pursuits the people of the 



439 



440 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



county have always taken an advanced stand- 
ing. They have been prominent in law, med- 
icine and statesmanship. Her voice has been 
heard in the councils of the State, and of the 
Nation. Her people are independent and 
courageous — they could live well if shut off 
from the rest of the world by some impas- 
sable barrier. From the soil, responsive to 
the farmer's patient toil, comes annually 400,- 
000 bushels of wheat, and a million bushels of 
shelled corn, and other cereals in like pro- 
portion. 

The future of Fairfield County is assured 
— her rank and her standing in the sisterhood 
of counties of a great State, are unalterably 
fixed. She cannot retrograde; she must go on 
to still greater achievements. 

"On, Sail On" 

It is fitting to close this History of grand 
old Fairfield County with Joaquin Miller's in- 
spiring poem on Christopher Columbus for 
the poet sees in him what we see in this 
County — "the embodiment of the deathless 
surge that sends men and nations ever for- 
ward." 

COLUMBUS. 

Behind him lay the gray azores. 

Behind the gates of Hercules ; 
Before him not the ghost of shores, 

Before him only shoreless seas. 
The good mate said, "Now must we pray, 

For lo, the very stars are gone. 



Brave Admiral speak, what shall I say?" 
"Why, say, 'Sail on, sail on, sail on.' " 

My men grew mutinous by day. 

My men grew ghastly wan and weak. 
The stout mate thought of home. A spray 

Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek. 
"What shall I say, brave Admiral, say. 

If we sight naught but seas at dawn?" 
"Why, you shall say at break of day, 

"Sail on, sail on, sail on, and on.' " 

They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow, 

Until at last the blanched mate said, 
"Why, now, not even God would know 

Should I and all my men fall dead. 
These very winds forget their way, 

For God from these dread seas is gone, 
Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say — " 

He said, "Sail on! Sail on! and on!" 

They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the 
mate 

"This mad sea shows its teeth tonight, 
He curls his lip, he lies in wait 

With lifted teeth as if to bite! 
Brave Admiral, say but one good word. 

What shall we do when hope is gone?" 
The words leapt as a flaming sword : 

"Sail on! Sail on! Sail on! and on." 

Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck, 

And peered through darkness. Ah that night 
Of all dark nights ! And then a speck — 

Alight! Alight! Alight! Alight! 
It grew, a starlit flag unfurled ! 

It grew to be Time's burst of dawn. 
He gained a world ; he gave that world 

Its grandest lesson : "On! Sail on!" 



1 




C' a<_-«^ f-'*—*--^-^'^ , 



CZy Or>>^^>.^. t />-aL-«_flj?, 



Representative Citizens 



JOHN SCOFIELD BRASEE, the leading 
lawyer of his generation at the Fairfield Co. 
bar, was one of Nature's great men. He was 
bom in Gallipolis, Ohio, August 19, 1832, his 
parents being John Trafford Brasee and Mary 
Jane (Scofield) Brasee. 

Mr. Brasee was descended from numerous 
long lines of distinguished ancestors, among 
whom may be mentioned the old Saxon family 
of Trafford, that flourished long before the 
Norman conquest (1066), and has since unin- 
terruptedly held a high place among the prom- 
inent families of England. The present 
English representative of the family is Sir 
Humphrey de Trafford, of Trafford Park, Pat- 
ricroft, near Manchester, which land is a por- 
tion of the original tract that has been handed 
down from his Sa.xon ancestor who lived prior 
to 1030. 

' Several branches of this family have come 
to America. Richard and John, both sons of 
John Trafford. came in 1672, and later Wil- 
liam came and resided in Livingston Manor. 

The Brasee family was Huguenot, going 
from France into England at the time of the 
persecution. There were several memljers of 
this family which came to America, became 
prominent and served with distinction during 
the whole period of the Revolutionary War. 
Andreas Brasee, the great grandfather of John 



S. Brasee, was one of them. The head of the 
family in England is Baron Brassey (Sir 
Thomas, K. C. B., D. C. L.), of Buckley, 
county palatine of Chester. 

Col. Thomas Cresap was another English 
ancestor, who accpiired fame during the 
I'Yench and Indian war and the War of the 
Revolution. He was a member of the House 
of Burgesses and was the founder and one of 
the organizers of the first Ohio Company. 
Scharf, in his history of Maryland, speaks of 
him as "the guardian genius of the Western 
frontier." His son. Capt. Thos. Cresap, who 
was killed at the foot of Savage Mountain 
during the Indian wars, was a maternal great 
grandfather of Mr. Brasee. Col. Cresap's de- 
scendants have served with distinction in the 
Revolution, the War of 1812, Mexican War, 
Civil and Spanish Wars, both in the army and 
navy. They have helped to frame the consti- 
tutions of different states, have become judges 
of Supreme Courts, United States senators and 
members of Congress. 

Mr. Brasee's mother. Mary Jane Scofield 
Brasee, was a daughter of Judge Elnathan 
Scofield, who was in direct descent from the 
Scofields of Scofield. county of I^ncaster. 
England. Judge Scofield was one of the men 
who surveyed the Northwest Territory. There 
are many branches of this old family in Amer- 



443 



444 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ica today. The New York, Connecticut, 
Maryland and Virginia Scofields are all of this 
family. 

Garret Van Swearengen, patroon, a younger 
son of a titled family in Beemsterdam, Hol- 
land, came to America on the "Prince Mau- 
rice" in 1656. having been sent out by his 
government in charge of supplies for the 
Dutch West India Company in New Amster- 
dam. He married Barbara De Barrette, of Val- 
enciennes, France, returned to Holland for two 
years in the interest of the colony. When he 
came back to America he went to Maryland 
and was the ancestor of a long line of distin- 
guished men and women. Mr. Brasee is sev- 
enth in line of descent from this immigrant. 

His grandmother, Drusilla Reid, wife of 
Judge Scofield, was a daughter of John Reid 
of Maryland. Another daughter, Elizabeth, 
was married to a brother of Governor Huber, 
of that state. Another, Sophia, was married 
to Elijah Merwin, a lawyer who practiced in 
Lancaster from 1804 to 181 5, and later moved 
to Zanesville, Ohio. 

In 1833 the parents of the subject of this 
sketch, John T. Brasee and Mary Jane (Sco- 
field) Brasee, removed with their two children 
—Ellen (later Mrs. T. W. Tallmadge) and 
John S. Brasee — to Lancaster, Ohio, where the 
latter continued to reside until his death, which 
occurred February 23, 1905. His early educa- 
tion was obtained in the public and such pri- 
vate schools as were available. At the age of 
thirteen he entered the Greenfield Academy, re- 
maining there two years, under the tutorage 
of the distinguished educator Dr. John Wil- 
liams, after which time he spent one year at 
Milnor Hall, Gambier, Ohio, under the Rev. 
Norman Badger. He then entered Kenyon 
College, became a member of the Philomathe- 
sian Literary Society, and at the completion of 
the entire scientific and classical courses, ranked 



first in his classes in scholarship and deport- 
ment. 

A pleasing incident occurred in 1882, when 
John Trafford Brasee Jr., son of John S. Bra- 
see, was receiving his A. B. degree from this 
same institution. Without solicitation, or any 
knowledge of the faculty's intention on his 
part. President Bodine, with an eloquent trib- 
ute to the achievements of John S. Brasee, con- 
ferred upon him the M. A. degree. 

On the completion of his college course, John 
S. Brasee immediately entered upon the study 
of law with his distinguished father, John 
Trafiford Brasee, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1854. In partnership with his father he 
began the practice of his profession and con- 
tinued with him until the latter's retirement in 
i860. 

When John S. Brasee came to the bar he was 
indeed a finished scholar, possessing that rare 
classical and philosophical equipment essential 
to great professional eminence, and for which 
there is no substitute. He had mastered the 
Greek and Latin languages, was familiar with 
the ancient and modern classics, was conver- 
sant with the Bible and had a love for litera- 
ture, history and the sciences, all of which, 
together with the law, he continued to study 
throughout his life. He was endowed by Na- 
ture with a master mind, and by the opinions 
of his elder compeers, among whom were 
Thomas Ewing, Sr., Henry Stanberry, John 
Trafford Brasee, Hocking H. Hunter, and 
many others, he rapidly rose to great distinc- 
tion as a lawyer of thorough and complete edu- 
cation, great genius and power at the bar, both 
as a profound jurist and brilliant advocate, and 
as a student and leader of thought and argu- 
ment on great legal questions. One by one 
these legal lights went out and he remained the 
oracle of the Lancaster bar as long as he lived. 

He was now at the zenith of his intellectual 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



445 



vigor and professional greatness, and as coun- 
sel in more than two hundred cases pending at 
one time upon his home docket, and a practice 
extending over the State of Ohio and into vari- 
ous other states, and into all the courts, State 
and Federal, he was for many years the busiest 
man in Fairfield County. His friends and con- 
temporaries throughout the State conceded 
that, as lawyer and advocate, his talents and 
achievements were second to none in the judi- 
cial history of this County. 

Gen'l. Chas H. Grosvenor in writing of 
Judge Brasee says : — "It is seldom that there 
has appeared in Ohio a man who reached such 
distinction as a lawyer and yet took so great 
and constant an interest in public affairs of 
every character. ... He was able, elo- 
quent and accurate, he never boasted. . . 
He held the profession of law in such esteem 
and placed its attributes and requirements at 
such high valuation, that he could not do any 
act in connection with his profession that did 
not honor his life and adorn his character. 
. . . In social life John S. Brasee was one 
of the pleasantest of men. His wit and re- 
partee were of the highest character and an 
hour with him in social conference was a pleas- 
ure and a joy to his friends, among whom I 
might mention Gen'l Sherman. John Sherman, 
Gen'l Lew Wallace, Gen'l Tliomas, Gen'l Cus- 
ter, Gen'l Scofield, Rutherford B. Hayes, James 
G. Blaine, Gen'l Phil Sheridan and Chief Jus- 
tice Waite. He left behind him a record of a 
great lawyer. He was a faithful friend and a 
citizen the memory of whom the state of Ohio 
may well be proud." 

Mr. Brasee was a general practitioner, excel- 
ling in all departments of the law and was an 
expert in railroad corporation law. He lived 
in an age of great development of railroads 
and always manifested an active interest in the 
same. He was the efficient power in the organ- 



ization of the Ohio and West Virginia Rail- 
road, now a part of the Hocking Valley, and 
was its first president. As a boy he assisted in 
the survey of the Cincinnati & Muskingum 
Valley Railroad, now a part of the Pennsyl- 
vania system, and during his entire professional 
career of nearly fifty years, was employed by 
them in some legal capacity, and as general 
solicitor for about forty years prior to his 
death. He was tendered the position of gen- 
eral counsel for the Pennsylvania lines west of 
Pittsburg and was sought by the Nickel Plate 
Railroad magnates to locate in New York City 
and there engage exclusively in this department 
of law, both of which offers he declined, not 
wishing to remove from his native state. 

Hon. Frank A. Durban, general counsel for 
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in writing of 
Judge Brasee says : — 

His mind was keen and broad ; his knowl- 
edge of the law wide and accurate. He had, 
to a marked degree, that valuable faculty of 
being able to determine, at the outset, just what 
legal principle a given controversy involved. 
His great power of analysis and ability to get 
almost instantly at the very vitals of a case, 
together with his knowledge of the law and its 
reasons, made him one of the greatest and most 
profound lawyers I have ever known. He was 
remarkably balanced, and always fair and cour- 
teous. He was a dangerous adversary, in the 
sense only, however, that it is always danger- 
ous to be pitted against a man possessing such 
a combination of abilities. Judge Brasee was 
a profound jurist and a great trial lawyer. 

The Bar of Fairfield County has included, 
among others, such giants as the elder Ewing 
and Henry Stanberry; and a greater compli- 
ment cannot be paid to it than to refer to the 
fact that in later days it numbered among its 
members John S. Brasee ; the peer of any law- 
yer that Ohio has yet produced. 



446 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



In 1883 Governor Charles Foster tendered 
him an appointment as member of the Second 
Supreme Court Commission of Ohio, and this 
too he decHned. He kept aloof from public 
office, and with but one exception his career 
was that of a strict practitioner. In politics he 
was a Republican and was a delegate to the 
National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872, 
which nominated General Grant. He ,was a 
member of St. John's Episcopal Church and 
was always a consistent Christian gentleman. 

In 187s (March 27th) the Legislature of 
Ohio passed a bill creating a commission to re- 
vise and consolidate the statutes of Ohio. Gov- 
ernor Hayes tendered to John S. Brasee an ap- 
pointment on this commission which he 
accepted. The labors of this commission ex- 
tended over a period of four years and were 
attended by many perplexities and complica- 
tions. The general laws of Ohio and the deci- 
sions thereon, from the origin of the state down 
to 1880, occupying many volumes, with varied 
and complicated indexes and arbitrary arrange- 
ments, were to be revised, compiled and 
abridged into two volumes. So confusing and 
complicated was all this mass of legislative en- 
actments, that it was impossible to secure and 
maintain concurrent court decisions in different 
parts of the state, or permit the most intelligent 
legislators any latitude in reenactments or re- 
peals of laws in, or supposed to be in force. 
When these facts are taken into consideration, 
some idea of the magnitude and importance of 
this work may be realized. In this capacity Judge 
Brasee rendered, with the other gentlemen on 
this commission, great and valued service to 
the state, and as a result the State of Ohio, its 
l>ench, bar and people, were given one of the 
most complete, accurate and convenient Revi- 
sions of the Statutes to be found in the United 
States. 

The following are extracts from memorial 



addresses delivered by members of the Lancas- 
ter bar upon the occasion of the public proceed- 
ings of the Bar Association in commemoration 
of the life and character of John Scofield 
Brasee. 

"In the death of Judge Brasee, personally I 
feel that the lawyers here have lost a staunch 
and true friend, this bar has lost its greatest 
lawyer and tlie state has lost an eminent ju- 
rist." 

"There was no deceit nor duplicity in this 
man. This great head of his contained a brain 
and mind that already furnished the sufficient 
and logical reason for every position and atti- 
tude that he assumed in life, and having once 
taken a stand, his moral and physical courage 
to maintain it were simply sublime. He once 
said to me that he had never experienced the 
sensation of fear." 

"As a lawyer, I find my vocabulary too mea- 
gre to portray him as his merits and abilities 
deserve. . . . His thirst for knowledge 
was insatiable and I think his learning covered 
a wider range and a greater variety of subjects 
than that of any person of my acquaintance. 
He especially enjoyed the study of medicine, 
and it would undoubtedly be conceded by those 
who have had the opportunity to witness his 
attainments in this line tliat in his knowledge 
of medical jurisprudence he was without a su- 
perior any where among lawyers." 

"He was a man of marvelous mental powers. 
Perhaps the most prominent was the power of 
analysis and his application of the old fashioned 
logical syllogism. From the time he began to 
examine a witness until the time he closed his 
argument, every third sentence of his meant 
victory for his client. There never was a con- 
fusion of tangled and contradictory testimony 
that he could not, if he took his time and gave 
his attention to it, analyze and harmonize with 
the truth." Referring; to the Revision and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



447 



Consolidation of llie SuitiUes: "He brought 
to that work liis analytical mind and ]nit tlie 
state and the profession under lasting obli- 
g^itions to him as one of the codifiers. That 
same logical cast of mind, that same ana- 
lytical power ])ut him head and shoulders 
above his fellows. He came from a genera- 
tion of lawyers. His contact with men of 
the former system of pleading made him a 
sort of connecting link between the com- 
mon law and the code. He got the benefit 
of the accuracy of the first sj'stem together 
with the comprehension and breadth of the 
latter system. He was an accurate, I might 
almost say a perfect pleader, a master of 
the art of cross-examination, an eloquent 
advocate, but through it all ran as a sort of 
minor theme the syllogistic proposition in 
which the third sentence was in favor of his 
client. He will ever be remembered as a 
lawyer without a superior." 

"The one impression which consultation 
with him has left with me is. that he always 
seemed to know the law because he knew 
what it ought to be, resulting from that un- 
erring and almost infallible understanding 
of natural justice which is back of and the 
foundation of all law. 

If I were now called upon to express my 
opinion of the most eloquent, the most con- 
vincing- and most effective address delivered 
to a jury in this court room within the last 
twenty years. I would name the argument 
of Mr. Brasee in the celebrated Thompson 
will case. In my judgment it was never 
surpassed in this court room. He was a 
companionable man, a loyal friend, and the 
master mind of this bar for more than a 
quarter of a century." 

On December 6. 1834. John Scofield 
Brasee was married to Mary Anna Dickin- 
son, who still resides at the family home in 



Lancaster. She was born October 29, 1832, 
a daughter of Dr. Joseph Aston Heeley 
Dickinson and Marianne Morris, his wife, of 
Newark, Ohio. Dr. Thomas Dickinson and 
wife and children, including Dr. J. A. H. 
Dickinson and wife, came to America from 
Staffordshire. England, in 1832. The Doc- 
tors Dickinson were both prominent physi- 
cians and surgeons, both having graduated 
from the London Medical College and 
Guy's Hospital, London, under the tutorage 
of Sir Astley Coo])er and of Abernethy. 
Members of this family had earlier come to 
this country, prominent among whom were 
John Dickinson, signer of the Constitution, 
and Aim, who was the wife of Benjamin 
Harrison, member of the Virginia House of 
Burgesses and signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. She was grandmother of 
William Henry Harrison, ninth President 
of the United States, and great grand- 
mother of Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third 
President of the United States. Dr. 
Thomas Dickinson left a sister in England, 
who was the mother of Sir James Joseph 
Alport. Knt.. of Littleover, County of 
Derby, and grandmother of Lady Agnes 
Lydia Brocklebank. wife of the late Sir 
Thomas Brocklebank. Baronet of Liverpool 
and Irton Hall. Holmwood. Cumberland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brasee were the parents of 
six children, all of whom are living at this 
time, namely: John TrafTord Brasee; 
Marian Amelia Brasee who was married to 
Charles Hilliard Sawyer, of Meriden, 
Conn. ; Charles Dickinson Brasee ; Alice 
Louise Brasee who was married to Frank 
l-'Jbert Sands, of Meriden, Conn.; .\nna 
Dickinson Brasee: and Clara Ellen Brasee 
who was married to Frederick Mortimer 
Towt. of Xyack, X. Y. There are also six 
living grandchildren, namely : Anna Brasee 



448 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Sands, Marian Sawyer, Gertrude Van 
Buren Sawyer, Edward Brasee Towt, El- 
bert Sawyer Towt and Mary Elizabeth 
Towt. 

THOMAS H. DOLSON, who has been 
called the foremost criminal lawyer in the 
state of Ohio — a title not easily won in a 
commonwealth where so high a standard of 
legal ability obtains — has been established 
in practice in Lancaster for almost forty 
years, and although now in his sixty-first 
year, has lost no part of his force or brilliant 
qualities as a lawyer. He was born in Mor- 
gan county, Ohio, November 22, 1851, a 
son of Ebenezer B. and Huldah (Steven- 
son) Dolson. He is a grandson of Thomas 
H. Dolson and a great grandson of John 
Van Dolson, who served as a "minute man" 
in the Revolutionary war. This Revolu- 
tionary ancestor of our subject served 
under Washington at the battle of Trenton, 
Christmas night, 1776, was present at the 
surrender of General Burgoyne and his 
army, October 17, 1777, at Saratoga, N. Y., 
and later witnessed the surrender of Lord 
Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 
1 78 1, which marked the attainment of 
American independence. He died at the 
age of 84 years, his father at 104 years, and 
his grandfather at iii years, this extraordi- 
nary longevity proving the soundness and 
vigor of the Dolson stock. 

Thomas H. Dolson, grandfather of the 
present bearer of that name, served as a 
soldier in the Mexican war. Coming from 
New York state, he settled in Muskingum 
county, Ohio, acquiring large tracts of land 
in the then new territory. There Ebenezer 
B. Dolson was reared and subsequently 
married Huldah Stevenson, a native of Vir- 



ginia. They reared their children in Ohio, 
but spent their latter years in Kansas. 

Thomas H. Dolson, our direct subject, 
attended the public schools in his home 
neighborhood and was also for three years 
consecutively under the instruction of a 
celebrated teacher (Mr. Geo. W. Pickrell). 
This was during the rebellion and whilst 
his father was in the army, being Q. M. 
Sergt. 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery. He sub- 
sequently entered the high school at Logan, 
Ohio, where he was creditably graduated 
in the class of 1868. After leaving school 
he had two years of business experience as 
bookkeeper for his brother-in-law, who was 
a merchant at Cameron, Mo., and with 
whom he remained for two years. He had 
resolved, however, to adopt the law as a 
profession, and with this intention he then 
returned to Ohio and for two years was a 
student in the ofifice of Judge C. D. Martin, 
at Lancaster. In December, 1873, he was 
admitted to the bar, and immediately after- 
ward established himself at Lancaster. 
Since then he has devoted the best years of 
his life to his profession and has been re- 
warded by a high degree of success, having 
gained a reputation as an adept and able 
lawyer that extends far beyond the confines 
of his native state. Though thoroughly 
proficient in every branch of the law, it is 
perhaps as a criminal lawyer that he is best 
known. His services are in demand in the 
most important cases, civil or criminal, and 
his legal learning, his clear concise logical 
and forceful presentation of facts, his skill 
in interpretating the technicalities of the 
law, together with his convincing oratory, 
have gained for him many notable victories 
at the bar. His success in the defense of 
men charged with murder in the first and 



AND REPRESEXTATIVE CITIZENS 



449 



second degree, has been remarkable. Of 
scores of such cases in which he has ap- 
peared, not one lias been convicted of a 
higher grade of homicide than man- 
slaughter and his percentage of acquittals, 
considering the number of cases tried, is 
the highest. Mr. Dolson has been asso- 
ciated with partners and has at times also 
practiced alone, at present being a member 
of the firm of Dolson & Dolson, at Lancas- 
ter. His brilliant son, Ben R. Dolson, being 
the other member of the firm. He served 
six years as prosecuting attorney of Fair- 
field county, but has never show^n any un- 
due interest in public position, reluctingly 
consenting, at one time only, to be the 
nominee of the Democratic party for the 
State Senate. 

Mr. Dolson was married in 1876 to Miss 
Alida Reinmund, a daughter of B. F. Rein- 
mund, of an old and honored Fairfield 
county family her brother H. J., having 
been commissioner of insurance under Gov- 
ernor Hoadly. They have four children. 
The family belongs to the English Luth- 
eran church. 

LAFAYETTE W. COFFMAN, whose 
finely improved farm of 127 acres lies in 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., 
is a prominent citizen and successful farmer 
and stockraiser of this section. He was 
born in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, 
September 10, 1853, and is a son of Samuel 
and Jane (Allen) CofYman. 

Samuel Cofifman for many years was en- 
gaged in the nursery business in Bloom 
Township and was a pioneer in this indus- 
try in this section of the state. He later re- 
tired to Carroll, O., and served many years 
as a justice of the peace for Greenfield 
Township. He was a man of liberal mind 



but in politics usually voted with the Re- 
publican party. He belonged to the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and was liberal in 
his support and constant in his attendance. 

Lafayette W. Coffman was reared in 
Bloom Township and attended school there 
and later at Carroll. From youth he has 
been interested in farm pursuits and owns 
one of the best improved farms in Green- 
field Township, with buildings of modern 
construction and with machinery and appli- 
ances which facilitate farm work. He is a 
man of progressive ideas and uses scientific 
methods in the conduct of his business. 

On March 7, 1877, Mr. CofTman was mar- 
ried to Miss Ella Azbell, who was born in 
Logan County, O., a daughter of the late 
John Azbell, of Carroll, O. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cofifman have three children : Gertrude, 
who is the wife of William Scott, of Green- 
field Township; Theodosia, who is the wife 
of Charles Witham, of Lancaster; and 
Clarence \V., who is a well known dentist 
at Lewisburg, O. For three years Mr. 
Cofifman has served on the township school 
board and for three years was road super- 
visor. He is a Republican in politics. 

WILLLAM H. SHAFFER, president of 
the school board of Walnut Township, is a 
well known resident of Thurston, O., and 
is manager of the Columbus Gas and Fuel 
Company. He is a native of Ohio, born 
near Marshfield, in Athens County. October 
18, 1855, and is a son of Milton B. and 
Phoebe (Kerr) Shafifer. 

The parents of Mr. Shaffer were born in 
Penn.sylvania. A short time after marriage 
they came to Ohio and settled in Athens 
County, where Milton B. ShafTer followed 
the carpenter's trade. He died in 1887, at 
the age of sixtv-seven years and his widow 



450 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in 1901, when aged sixty-six years. The}- 
were well known and highly respected 
people. Six children were born to them, 
namely: George A., wlio lives at Jackson, 
O. ; William Huston; Alice, who is the 
widow of David G. Jones, and lives at Pitts- 
burg, Pa. ; Margaret, deceased, who was 
the wife of A. C. Cumpston; Hugh B., who 
lives at Jackson, O. ; and John Franklin, 
who probably lost his life at the time of the 
earthquake at San Francisco, of which city 
he was then a resident. 

William H. Shaffer obtained his educa- 
tion in the schools of Marshfield and in a 
private seminary conducted by Prof. .\.mos 
Miller. He was industrious as a boy. work- 
ing for different farmers in the neighbor- 
hood during the busy seasons and after- 
ward became a school teacher and taught 
for seven years in Athens County. With 
his father he learned the carpenter's trade 
and for four years worked as a carpenter 
at Jackson, O. In February, 1890, he came 
to Fairfield County and for five years rented 
farm land in Walnut Township, in October, 
1895, coming to Thurston and accepting his 
present position. In politics Mr. Shaffer is 
a Democrat. He was elected a justice of 
the peace and served one year and then re- 
signed, and in the fall of 1909 was elected a 
member of the school board and has given 
careful attention to educational matters in 
his township on ail occasions. 

Mr. Shaffer was married October 19. 
1876, to Miss Martha A. Herrold, a daugh- 
ter of the late William and' Sarah fBlack- 
Viood) Herrold, former residents of Athens 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have had 
the following children born to them : 
Catherine, who is the wife of C. F. Turley 
and they reside at Pickerington and have 
three children — Louise. Albert and How- 



ard; J. Randolph, who resides at Thurston, 
married Sarah Shriner and they have three 
children — Doris, Mildred and Elsie; Grace, 
who is deceased, was the wife of C. P. 
Leach, and they had three children — Pearl, 
Mabel and Kenneth, the last named being 
deceased ; Orland, who died at the age of 
twelve years; and ^\'ilbur, who is a tele- 
graph operator at Thurston. Mr. Shaffer 
and family are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. 
He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Balti- 
more and to the Knights of Pythias and the 
Red Men at Thurston. Mr. Shaffer pur- 
chased his comfortable and attractive resi- 
dence on Market Street, from C. F. Turley. 

GEORGE W. BOERSTLEK. M. B. 
This revered and eminently useful man was 
born in Funkstown, Md., A. D. 1792, and 
died at his residence in Lancaster, Ohio, in 
1 87 1. He received a good education and 
when sufficiently advanced, he yielded to 
paternal persuasion and commenced to 
study for the "ministry in the Lutheran 
church. The mind of young Boerstler, 
however, had been fixed in another pursuit 
for life; it was the ilustrious profession of 
his father — the science and practice of 
medicine. The. more this occupied his 
thoughts, the more it won the approval of 
his judgment and propitiated the desires of 
his heart. At last, all obstacles being re- 
moved, he entered in earnest upon the study 
of medicine, and graduated Bachelor of 
Medicine, at the University of Maryland, in 
Baltimore, in the year 1820. when he re- 
ceived from Professor Potter the folowing 
commendatory certificate, which, coming 
from such a broadly known and eminent 
source, was to young Boerstler a credential 
letter, introducing: him in flattering terms 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



451 



to the confidence of the medical faculty 
anywhere in the United States or in 
Europe. 

"The bearer hereof, Dr. George W. 
Boerstler, has been duly examined by the 
professors of the University of Maryland 
and acquitted himself to their entire satis- 
faction in every department. No man ever 
left the Faculty of Physic with more eclat. 
He carries with him as much knowledge 
as has ever fallen to the lot of any one man 
since the establishment of the institution. 
His capacity is not equalled by any man 
and his industry is equal to his capacity. 
His sterling integrity and moral worth will 
always recommend him to the considera- 
tion and patronage of the wise and the vir- 
tuous as soon as he becomes acquainted 
with them. 

"Nathan Potter, M. D. 
"Professor of Theory and Practice of Medi- 
cine, University of Maryland, March 4, 
1820." 

Dr. Boerstler was married to Elizabeth 
Sinks, and removed from Hagerstown, Md., 
to Lancaster, Ohio in 1833. The deeply 
lamented Robert McNiel, M. D., had died 
shortly before his advent, leaving a wide 
field of practice unoccupied, of which he 
rapidly gained possession and made his 
own. Mrs. Boerstler died in 1878. The 
Doctor married his second wife, Elizabeth 
Schur, who died in 1889. The medical 
reputation of Dr. Boerstler was built upon 
a foundation of solidity and this grew up 
into vigor and public appreciation more 
and more with his advancing years. He 
was a medical student to the end of his 
life ; kept uniform step with the onward 
progress of his profession ; was familiar 
with all its specialties; was well informed 

27 



in its leading scientific expositions; was 
cognizant of every public valuable curative 
discovery, and was therefore fully prepared 
for every existing emergency in his own 
immediate practice. His diagnosis of dis- 
ease in its subtle and more complicated 
forms was always received by his profes- 
sional brethren with confiding and com- 
manding respect. .\s an experienced and 
learned consulting physician, he acquired 
a wide reputation. To accomplish the 
greatest good in the practice of his profes- 
sion was the passion of his life. No one 
ever sought his aid in vain, rich or poor, 
misery in rags or disease in tapestry ; he 
went to all, if practicable, to relieve all. In 
whatever household he was called ks a phy- 
sician, he left it as a dear and confidential 
friend. In his intercourse with his medical 
brethren he was governed by the strictest 
formulas of honor. No man understood 
more sensitively than himself the delicate 
obligations of the professional code of 
ethics, and no one was more courteous and 
punctilious in observing them. 

Dr. Boerstler was a member of the Fair- 
field County Medical Society, and the Ohio 
State Medical Society, being twice elected 
president of the last mentioned society. He 
became a member of the American Medical 
Association in 1850. 

JESSE BROOKE, a retired merchant 
and a former school teacher, has been a 
resident of Pleasantville, Fairfield County, 
O.. since 1880, but still retains his farm in 
Pleasant Township. He has led a very ac- 
tive and useful life and is a man widely 
known and highly esteemed. He was born 
at Havensport. on the old canal, in Fair- 
field County, March 6, 1839, and his spent 
his life and carried on large business enter- 



452 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



prises within the bounds of his native 
county. He is a son of Hezekiah and 
Frances Ann (Brant) Brooke. 

The Brooke family was established in 
Fairfield County by James Brooke, the 
grandfather, who came here from Virginia 
but was of English ancestry. He settled in 
the deep woods of Greenfield Township, 
Fairfield County, where from forest and 
swamp he developed a productive farm and 
here spent a long life, dying at the home of 
his son James, at Baltimore, O. He had 
eight children : George, Joseph, James, 
Benjamin, Izaiah, Hezekiah, Hannah and 
Ann, all now deceased. 

Hezekiah Brooke, the sixth member of 
the above family, spent his entire life in 
Greenfield Township, where he died in 
1895, aged eighty-seven years. He was 
married first to Mary Pence and they had 
two children : Efiie, who married George 
Swander (both now deceased), and Sarah, 
who married John Gessell and they are 
also both deceased. Hezekiah Brooke mar- 
ried for his second wife, Frances Ann 
Brant, who was a cousin of his first wife, 
and eleven children were born to this union, 
namely : Oliver, who lives at Logan, O. ; 
Emma, who is the wife of Levi Keller, re- 
siding at Pleasantville ; Jesse ; Frances Ann, 
deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Wil- 
liamson ; Henry, who lives at Columbus, 
O. ; Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of 
Samuel Kindler; Jane, who is the wife of 
William Leightnaker, of Basil, O. ; James 
Alanson, who lives in the neighborhood of 
Kansas City, and is a graduate of Fairfield 
Union Academy and Wittenberg College 
and was for twelve years superintendent of 
Groveport schools; Allen H., whose home 
is at Logan, O. ; Dora E., who is the widow 
of Arthur Finks, of Basil, O. ; and an in- 



fant, of whom we have no special record. 
Of these eleven children three attended 
Wittenberg College and nine became 
school teachers. 

Jesse Brooke grew up on the home farm 
on which his parents settled when he was 
one year old. He attended the district 
schools and Wittenberg College in 1858 and 
1859 and then taught a term of school. On 
the outbreak of the Civil War his elder 
brother entered the army as a soldier, and 
he remained at home to conduct the farm 
for his father, afterward resuming school 
teaching. Subsequently, for some twelve 
years he was engaged in a lumber business 
and when he came to Pleasantville, in Octo- 
ber, 1880, he moved his saw-mill machinery 
here and for three years afterward operated 
a planing-mill. He then sold his mill and 
embarked in the dry goods business, in 
which he continued for seven years, when 
he sold it to the Henry Company and went 
into the coal, grain and tile business, but 
eighteen months later he turned his atten- 
tion to hardware, entering into partnership 
with M. D. Wildermuth. Later he dis- 
posed of his interest to J. A. Keller, his 
nephew, and then bought his farm which 
is located one mile out of Pleasantville. He 
operated the farm for a short time but 
V\'hen a business transaction made him the 
owner of the Knight of Pythias building at 
Pleasantville, he purchased a furniture 
business here. In many ways Mr. Brooke 
has been an enterprising and progressive 
man in this town and it is said that he has 
erected more buildings in the place than 
any other single individual. He erected the 
first public scales in Pleasantville and in all 
movements looking to the developments 
which make a town known to the outside 
world as well as a desirable place to live in, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



453 



he has ever been ready to do his full share. 
Since 1884 Mr. Brooke has been identified 
with the Prohibition party. 

On August 30, i860, Mr. Brooke was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Yencer, and the 
following children were born to them : 
Carrie, who is the wife of T. H. Henry, and 
they have had three children — Everett B., 
Margaret and Thomas J. ; Henry M., who 
died at the age of twenty-three years ; 
Frances Catherine, deceased, who was the 
wife of M. D. Wildermuth; Albert H., who 
married Emma E. Klahr, lives in Lancas- 
ter and has a daughter, Gladys ; James, who 
married Iva Dollison and has four children 
— Marion, Donald, Dorothy and James F. ; 
Jessie, who is the wife of D. E. Sites, and 
has three children — Elizabeth A.. Harriett 
and Mary Catherine; Mary Ivlay, who is 
the wife of Silas Kissler, and has two chil- 
dren — Isabella and Mary; Ray, who mar- 
ried Carol Kelly, and has three children — 
Phebe. Phillis and Jesse Robert ; and Lind- 
ley Jav. who married Nellie Wooley and 
has one son, Edward. Mr. Brooke is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Mrs. Brooke is a Christian Scientist. 

WILLIAM A. MEYERS, cashier of the 
Farmers and Citizens Bank of Stoutsville, O., 
of which he was one of the organizers, when 
this institution was founded. July 6, 1909, was 
born in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, O., October 31, 1867, a son of Peter 
and Susan (Mowery) Meyers, and a grandson 
of George Meyers and of John and Rachel 
(Stump) Mowery. 

After he had completed the common school 
course, William A. Meyers entered Heidelberg 
University, where he was creditably graduated 
with the class of 1888. For some twenty-two 



years afterward he was connected with the C. 
& M. V. Railroad and then resigned in order 
to become cashier of the Farmers and Citizens 
Bank. Like his late father he is a stanch 
Democrat. For ten years he was township 
clerk and in July. 191 1, was elected township 
treasurer. 

Mr. Meyers was married in January, 1890, 
to Miss Mattie Thatcher, a daughter of Frank 
and Maurine (Siddons) Thatcher, residents 
of Columbus. They have two daughters. 
Blanche and Ruth, both of whom are accom- 
plished young ladies, graduates of the Stouts- 
ville High School. The family belongs to the 
Reformed church. Mr. Meyers' fraternal con- 
nections include membership in Scipio Lodge 
No. 255, Knights of Pythias; and Camp No. 
1325, Modern Woodmen of America, both at 
Stoutsville. 

SAMUEL L. FISHER, an honored veteran 
of the Civil War and a leading and substantial 
citizen of Greenfield Township. Fairfield 
County, O., residing on his farm of 200 acres, 
was born March 29, 1842. in Greenfield 
Township, and is a son of Daniel and Mary 
(Wagner) Fisher. 

Daniel Fisher was born in Pennsylvania and 
was three years old when his parents. Henry 
Fisher and wife, moved to Fairfield County 
and settled in Greenfield Township, in the 
midst of the virgin forest, they being real pio- 
neers. Daniel Fisher became a farmer and 
was a representative citizen of his township, 
serving some years as one of its trustees. He 
married Mary Wagner, who was born in 
Ohio, and of their children there are five sur- 
vivors, namely: John and Samuel L., both 
living in Greenfield Township: Louisa, wife 
nf Charles Harter, living in the same town- 
ship; Sarah, wife of Samuel Yencer, residing 



454 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in Greenfield Township; and Julia, wife of 
Jefferson Miesse, living in Franklin County, 
Ohio. 

Samuel L. Fisher was reared on the home 
farm and has engaged in farm pursuits dur- 
ing the greater part of his life. When the 
Civil War broke out, he was an early volun- 
teer, enlisting in September, 1861, in Co. I, 
17th O. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the 
Army of the Cumberland. He took part in 
many of the greatest battles of the war, in- 
cluding the siege of Atlanta, marching with 
Sherman to the sea, and was honorably dis- 
charged in July, 1865. He returned to Fair- 
field County and resumed farming and has 
lived a busy agricultural life ever since, being 
not quite so active as formerly, but still taking 
a keen interest in the products of his lands and 
the increase of his stock. He is a Democrat 
in politics and for twenty years has been a 
member of the school board of Greenfield 
Township and for a part of this period has 
been president of this body. 

Mr. Fisher married Miss Catherine Harter, 
who was born in Greenfield Township, and 
died April 4, 1910. She was an estimable 
woman in every relation of life and had a wide 
circle of friends. She was the mother of four 
children, namely. William, residing in Green- 
field Township; Minnie M., the widow of 
Charles Marks, living at Lancaster; and Syl- 
vester and Daniel, both living in Greenfield 
Township. Mr. Fisher is a member of the 
English Lutheran church at Lancaster, O. 

FRED A. HAMPSON, who is engaged in 
business at Pleasantville, O., where he has 
well arranged and suitable funeral directing 
parlors and is well equipped for undertaking, 
is a lifelong resident of Fairfield County and 
was born on his father's farm in Walnut 



Township, July 22, 1884. He is a son of 
Henry J. and Zetta (Outcault) Hampson. 

Henry J. Hampson was born in 1853 in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., and 
is a son of James and a grandson of James 
Hampson. The elder James Hampson secured 
land in Fairfield County that is still in the pos- 
session of the family, in 1803, during the ad- 
ministration of President Jefferson. With the 
help of his sons he cleared the land. James 
Hampson, grandfather of Fred A., was one 
of the original directors of the Fairfield Union 
Academy and was also one of the organizers 
of the Fairfield Agricultural Society. He mar- 
ried Mary Hite and they both died in Pleasant 
Township. They had the following children: 
Henry J. ; Levi, who lives in Pleasant Town- 
ship; Lillian, who- is the wife of M. F. Man- 
ger, and lives at Lancaster, O. ; and James, 
who resides in Pleasant Township. Henry J. 
Hampson was reared in Pleasant Township 
but has been a resident of Walnut Township 
for the past thirty-five years, where he carries 
on general farming and is a well known and 
respected citizen. He married Zetta Outcault, 
who was born in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, a daughter of Harvey G. Outcault, 
who lives in California. Nine children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hampson, namely : 
Ermine ; Harvey, who died in February, 1908 ; 
Mary, who is the wife of James Pruden, of 
Detroit, Mich. ; Fred A. ; Clark, who lives at 
Comly, O. ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Ar- 
thur Holliday, of Columbus ; Charles M., who 
is a student in the Ohio State University ; and 
Helen and Martha. 

Fred A. Hampson grew to manhood on the 
home farm and attended the public schools 
and a business college at Columbus. In 1907 
he entered the employ of the firm of Fletcher 
& Brown, undertakers at Columbus and re- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



455 



mained until he had learned the business. In 
1909 he came to Pleasantville and bought the 
interests of W. I. Winegarner and has 
equipped his quarters with up-to-date furnish- 
ings, has a private ambulance, funeral car- 
riages and cars and a mortuary chapel. He 
conducts his business along quiet, orderly, dig- 
nified lines and has patronage from a wide ter- 
ritory. 

In September, 1908, Mr. Hampson was 
married to Miss Mina Phipps. a daughter of 
Aaron and Rachel (W'orall) Phipps, this 
family having come to Fairfield from Morgan 
County in 1896. Aaron Phipps is an honored 
member of the G. A. R. Post at Chesterhill, 
Ohio, having served in the Civil War from 
1862 until its close. He was a member of the 
97th O. Vol. Inf., under Captain George Da- 
vis, enlisting at Chester Hill, O., and after 
participating in twenty battles, was mustered 
out at Nashville, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Hamp- 
son have one son, Harvey Levi. Politically 
he is a Democrat and is a member of the town 
council and in 191 1 was elected township 
clerk. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at 
Pleasantville. 

GEORGE W. BEERY, M. D.. a prominent 
citizen of Lancaster, O., is a representative of 
one of the old and leading families of the 
state. He was born October 27, 1857, at Bre- 
men, Fairfield County, and is a son of John 
and Lydia (Foreman) Beery. 

John Beery was born also in Fairfield 
County, November 8, 1837, and was a son of 
Joseph and Mary (Brenneman) Beery. They 
were natives of Virginia, the birth of Joseph 
Beery taking place August 8. 1798, and his 
death in 184 1. To Joseph Beery and wife five 
children were born: Catherine, Abraham, Jo- 
seph. Magdalene and John, all of whom are 
deceased. The first of the family came from 



Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania in 
1736, and his son, Abraham Beery, was born 
in Adams County, Pa., in 1762 and moved 
from there to Rockingham County, Va. He 
was twice married and was the father of thir- 
teen children. 

On the maternal side, the Foremans were 
found in Lancaster County, Pa., prior to the 
Revolutionary War, in which Jacob Foreman 
served and participated in numerous battles 
including that of Trenton. After the close of 
his military service he moved to Ellicott Mills, 
twelve miles from Baltimore, Md., where he 
married Annie Martin, after which he re- 
turned for a time to Pennsylvania and then 
moved to Baltimore. They had the following 
children : Jacob, Henry, George, Mary, Kate 
and Andrew. .Andrew Foreman married Ra- 
chel Poling, in Muskingum County, O., after 
which they went I)ack to Maryland for a few 
years and then returned to Muskingum 
County and still later moved to near Browns- 
ville, in Licking County, and subsequently to 
Hopewell Township. Perry County, where 
they died. They had the following named chil- 
dren: George. Daniel, Andrew J., Samuel, 
Henry, Annie, Peggy, Sarah Ann, Rachel. 
Bettie, Elizabeth and Lydia, the last named 
beoming the wife of John Beery, .\fter the 
death of Mr. Beery, on March 23, 1858, when 
only twenty-two years of age, Mrs. Beery and 
her infant son, George W., remained in Fair- 
field County until her second marriage, with 
Isaac Switzer, who was a resident of Licking 
County. Three children were born to the sec- 
ond union, namely : Henry and Howard, both 
of whom are deceased; and John, who is a 
practicing physician at New Straitsville, O. 
He married Lucy Webb, a daughter of W. C. 
Webb, of Hocking County, and they have one 
son, Webb. 

George W. Beery attended the public 



456 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



schools and also the Normal School at Bre- 
men, O. When seventeen years of age he be- 
came interested in photography and as he com- 
bined taste with talent in this direction, he 
built up a fair business in which he continued 
until he was twenty-nine years of age. In the 
meanwhile he had completed his preliminary 
medical reading and accordingly entered the 
Georgia Eclectic Medical College, at Atlanta, 
Ga. He later took a course in the Cincinnati 
Eclectic College, secured his diploma, and in 
1889 began practice at Union Furnace, Hock- 
ing County, where he continued for seventeen 
and a half years. He then practiced for two 
and one-half years at Logan, also in Hocking 
County. During this long period he became 
widely known in that section and when he 
came to Lancaster, in the spring of 1909, left 
behind him many yarm personal friends and 
an enviable professional reputation. At Lan- 
caster he has found a wider field and is in the 
enjoyment of a large and substantial practice. 
He is a man of wide reading and of considera- 
ble travel. In 1907 he visited all the principal 
countries of Europe and returned to his pro- 
fessional duties enriched with many new expe- 
riences. 

In 1879 Dr. Beery was married to Miss 
Llannah .E. Roley. a daughter of Jesse and 
Elizabeth (Christ) Roley, of near Hebron, 
Licking County, and they have three children : 
Blanche, Jesse and Bessie, the two latter be- 
ing twins. Blanche married S. S. Still, of 
Zanesville, O., and they now live at Mont- 
gomery, Ala., and have one child, George. 
Jesse married Minnie Folk; they reside at 
Lancaster, and have a daughter, Georgie. 
Bessie married Edward Oliver, who is in the 
furniture and undertaking business at Logan. 
Dr. Beery is prominent in Masonic circles. 
He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 71, F. 
& A. M., Logan, O. ; Enoch Lodge of Per- 



fection; Franklin Council, Princes of Jerusa- 
lem, Columbus ; Rose Croix Chapter, Colum- 
bus; Ohio Consistory, S. P. R. S. 32nd de- 
gree, Cincinnati. He belongs also to Center 
Valley Lodge, No. 548, I. O. O. F., Amanda, 
O., and Mineral Encampment, Logan O., and 
Kilbourn Lodge, No. 635, Knights of Pyth- 
ias, Union Furnace, O. Politically he is 
a Republican and for six years while residing 
in Hocking County, was a member of the 
Pension Examining Board. 

LOUIS J. SNYDER, who conducts a very 
successful business at No. 244 W. Main 
Street, Lancaster, O., a dealer in groceries, 
coal, lime, and cement, exclusively wholesale, 
is not only a representative business man of 
this city but is a citizen who has frequently 
demonstrated his public spirit and through his 
good judgment and enterprise has brought 
about many needed reforms. He was born at 
Lancaster, O., December 23, 1859, and is a 
son of Henry and Catherine (Hengst) Sny- 
der. 

Henry Snyder and his wife were both born 
in Germany, came to America in youth, were 
married in Lancaster and in this city their 
quiet, virtuous lives came to a close. Of 
their nine children, Louis J. was the eighth 
in order of birth. 

Louis J. Snyder was reared and educated 
in Lancaster. O. After leaving school he was 
employed for two years by his brother and 
was for one year in the employ of his brother- 
in-law. Later he was employed as a clerk in 
other establishments. On April 9, 1877, he 
started into business for himself as a retail 
grocery merchant. In 1878 he entered into 
the coal business, and in 1890 into the cement 
and plaster business. Proof of his business 
capacity is shown in the extraordinary success 
which has attended his efiforts, enabling him 




IKIX. CUh'ISTlAX IT. SKXAKKK 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



459 



to advance until at present he has wholesale 
interests which make his name a familiar one 
in marts ol trade at various points. For 
many years he has also judiciously invested in 
city realty and owns a large amount of valua- 
ble property and for some years was a di- 
rector in the Citizens' Loan and Building As- 
sociation. In politics he is a Democrat and at 
times has consented to serve in civic offices, 
his high qualities of business ability making 
him especially useful. During the period of 
fourteen years which covered his service as 
secretary and superintendent of the Lancaster 
City Water Works, the system was practically 
renewed and the improvements then brought 
about have made it a source of civic pride. He 
has taken an interest also in other civic utili- 
ties and has cooperated with other capitalists 
in advancing many public spirited enterprises. 
He was reared in the Lutheran church and has 
been a liberal supporter of benevolent and 
charitable movements. 

HON. CHRISTIAN H. SEXAUER, 
mayor of Lancaster, O., who is now serving 
in his third term, is one of the strong, broad- 
minded and representative public men of 
Fairfield county. He was born at Sulphur 
Springs. O.. January 19. 1871, Ijeing one of 
the family of five children of William F. and 
Mary J. (Rupertsburger) Sexauer. The 
father of Mayor Sexauer was a native of 
Gallion, O., where he was engaged in manu- 
facturing; he died in 1895. 

Christian H. Sexauer's first business con- 
nection was with a manufacturing house, 
after which he went into the drug business 
with his brother, F. E. Sexauer. first at 
Bellaire, O., afterwards at Columbus, and 
then at Lancaster, O.. conducting the same 
under the firm name of Sexauer Brothers. 
In the conduct of his business and in his re- 



lations with his fellow citizens, the young 
man gained public confidence and became 
popular. In November, 1907, he was first 
elected mayor of Lancaster, on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, with a majority of 752 votes, 
entering upon the duties of the office in 1908. 
Public approval of his administration was 
shown by his subsequent re-election with a 
majority of 1350. Lancaster has enjoyed a 
gratifying degree of prosperity under his 
able administration, the benefits of which 
are universally acknowledged. 

Mayor Sexauer married Miss Bertha 
Abendroth, a daughter of Fred Abendroth, 
of Crawford county, O., and they have four 
children, namely : Paul C, Frederick W., 
Ralph E. and Dorothy C. The family be- 
long to St. Peter's Lutheran church, of 
which Alayor Sexauer is one of the trus- 
tees. A member of the Masonic order, he 
belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and 
Council ; he also belongs to the Knights of 
Maccabees and Royal Arcanum, just retir- 
ing from the office of Grand Regent of Ohio. 
The family residence is at No. 221 N. Maple 
street, Lancaster. 

JOHN C. RARICK, a leading citizen and 
substantial farmer of \\'alnut Township, Fair- 
field County, O., where he owns a valuable 
farm of 100 acres, which lies in Section I, 
Range 18, has lived on this farm for almost 
a half century. He was born March i, 1836, 
in Thorn Township, Perry County, O., and is 
a son of Peter and Lydia (Weimer) Rarick. 

Peter Rarick was born in Pennsylvania 
and came to Ohio at the age of three years. 
His father, Peter Rarick. settled on high 
land in Thorn Township. Perry County, 
three miles east of Thornville, which town, 
however, at that time had not yet 
been founded. In those days sugar 



460 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



making was an important industry and 
it was traded at Zanesville for household 
supphes. The boihng of the maple sap was 
often attended with considerable danger, as the 
country was then so wild that wolves came 
dangerously near the campers at night, a close 
watch having to be kept in order to drive them 
off. Peter Rarick, the elder, and his wife 
lived to be old people and both died in Thorn 
Township. Of their large family their son 
Peter was the eldest and he grew to manhood 
on the pioneer farm and came into possession 
of it when his father died. He completed a 
large part of the clearing and his sons finished 
it, and subsequently he sold the place and pur- 
chased the farm on which he died when aged 
seventy-seven years. He was twice married, 
first to Lydia Weimer, a daughter of Godfrey 
Weimer, of Pennsylvania, and secondly to 
Polly Humbarger, his children being of the 
first marriage. Five of these grew to matu- 
rity, namely : John C. ; Simon ; Elizabeth, 
widow of John King; Mahala, deceased, for- 
merly wife of Adam Koontz, also now de- 
ceased ; and Peter. 

John C. Rarick can remertiber the old log 
schoolhouse, with its slab benches and huge 
fire-place, in which he learned his lessons when 
a boy and often contrasts it with the comfort- 
able structures in which his grandchildren re- 
ceive instrviction. He grew to manhood 
strong and hearty from his active, out-door 
life and by the time he had reached marriage- 
able age was looked upon as one of the suc- 
cessful young farmers of his neighborhood. 
He has devoted himself to farm pursuits and 
has prospered and not only owns this large 
body of valuable land but is also a stockholder 
in the People's Bank at Thornville and was 
one of its organizers. This fann his father 
bought from the Gill estate and Mr. Rarick 
purchased it and moved here in the spring of 



1863. He remodeled the house after a time 
and all the farm buildings now standing were 
built by him. Mr. Rarick has always been a 
stanch Democrat and an active party worker. 
He has served in township offices, especially 
as trustee. 

On December i, 1859, Mr. Rarick was mar- 
ried to Miss Malissa Cupp, a daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Simon) Cupp, and the follow- 
ing children have been born to them: Ida, 
who is the wife of Lewis Radebaugh, of Wal- 
nut Township; Emma, who is the wife of 
Richard Neil of Thornville, and has one son, 
Raymond; and Clara and Clarence, twins. 
The former, Clara, married Robert Noble 
Kochensparger and they live in Cleveland and 
have one daughter, Ruth. Clarence operates 
the home farm. In 1889 he married Bertha 
Boganwright and they have four children — 
Floe Gertrude, Bessie B., Anna M. and Lucile. 
Mr. Rarick and family belong to the Lutheran 
church and in earlier years he served in church 
offices. 

WILLIAM FETTERS, one of the solid, 
reliable citizens of Pleasant Township, who is 
a surviving soldier of the great Civil War, re- 
sides on his well cultivated farm of 104 acres 
which he devotes to farming and stockraising. 
He was born November 2, 1842, in Pleasant 
Township, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah 
(Bright) Fetters. 

Thomas Fetters spent his entire life in 
Pleasant Township, where his father, Philip 
Fetters, was one of the early settlers. Thomas 
Fetters died in 188 1. He had followed farm- 
ing all his active life. At times he served as 
township trustee and also was a director of 
the Fairfield County Infirmary. He married 
Sarah Bright, who was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County, and they had 
nine children, namely: Isabel, who is the wife 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



461 



of Joshua Miller, of Greenfield Township; 
Margaret, who is the wife of Noah Walters, 
of Lanacster; Susan, who is the widow of 
Hery Drunim, of Greenfield Township; Wil- 
liam and John, both of whom live in Pleasant 
Tow nship ; Zachariah, who lives at Bluffton, 
Ind. ; Leonidas, who also lives at Bluffton ; 
Mahala, who is deceased ; and Charles, who is 
also a resident of Bluffton. 

William Fetters attended the district 
schools in boyhood and then learned the prin- 
ciples of farming, in a practical way. On 
June lo, 1862, he enlisted for service in the 
Civil War, entering Co. K, 185th Ohio State 
Guards, this company being later transferred 
to the 88th O. Vol. Infantry. He was a mem- 
ber of the victorious army that marched to 
Atlanta and the sea under General Sherman 
and participated in the battles of Resaca, 
Goldsboro, Atlanta and others and was also 
out in state defense when Gen. Morgan raided 
Ohio. Mr. Fetters re-enlisted on January 30, 
1864. in Co. I, 17th O. Vol. Inf., and re- 
mained until he was honorably discharged on 
July 16, 1865. and afterward returned to Fair- 
field County and has resided ever since in 
Pleasant Township. 

- On December 26. 1867, Mr. Fetters was 
married to Miss Mary Wygum, a daughter of 
George J. and Margaret (Geil) Wygum. The 
father of Mrs. Fetters was a soldier in the 
Civil War and later was a well known mer- 
chant at Lancaster. He died when seventy 
years of age. The following children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Fetters : Albert G.. liv- 
ing at Los Angeles, Calif.: George W.. in 
Pleasant Township: Sadie, wife of John 
Dauterman, living in Clear Creek Township: 
Ada and William S.. both living at home; 
Pearl, wife of William Duncan, of Hocking 
Township; Margaret, wife of Herman Kerns, 
of Hocking Township; and Harley J. and 



Daniel, both residing at home. Mr. Fetters is 
a republican in his views on public questions. 
He and wife are both members of the U. B. 
church. The family is a very highly respected 
one in Pleasant Township. 

CAPT. ALBERT GETZ, a prominent 
citizen of Lancaster, a veteran of the Civil 
War, and a well known business man who 
has been identified with the retail and 
manufacturing shoe industry in this city for 
the past 28 years, is a native of Germany 
and was nine years old when he accom- 
panied his parents to America. Their 
death in Rochester, N. Y., left him an or- 
phan. He was placed under the guardian- 
ship of Mr. Ferdinand Getz, who later 
brought him to Lancaster. 

The subject of our sketch, after some 
early schooling, entered into the boot and 
shoe trade under Jacob Wolfinger and 
Adam Hoffman, formerly well known citi- 
zens of Lancaster, which city has been his 
home ever since, with the exception of 
three years of his early life that he spent 
in military service as a member of the 
114th Regiment. O. V. I. In 1881 he or- 
eanized the Mt. Pleasant Guards and when 
under his command — a period of eight 
years — it was regarded as the best disci- 
plined company in the State of Ohio. 

In 1889 Capt. Getz organized the A. Getz 
Shoe Manufacturing Company at Lancas- 
ter, and subsequently, in 1895, was the or- 
ganizer with others of the Lancaster Shoe 
Factory, which was the direct offspring of 
the former company. He was one of the 
first organizers of the first Natural Gas 
Company at Lancaster, serving for some 
time as its vice president and for nine years 
as a trustee for the city Natural Gas Com- 
pany. 



462 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Capt. Getz was married September i, 
1869, to Clara C. Ream of Lancaster, C, a 
daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Osen- 
baugh) Ream. To him and his wife have 
been born two children — Edward R. and 
Paul, the latter of whom died in his 20th 
year. Edward R. Getz married Vinzela 
Hardesty and they have six children — Edna 
L.. Clarence D., Morbert G., Mary Cather- 
ine, Edward William and Raymond T. 

ANDREW ELLINGER, who is a repre- 
sentative farmer and stock raiser of Pleas- 
ant Township, Fairfield County, C, where 
he owns 130 acres of well developed land, 
was born in Hocking County, O., Decem- 
ber I, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Helen 
(Ulmer) Ellinger. The parents were 
natives of Baden, Germany, and were early 
settlers and respected residents for many 
years of Marion Township, Hocking 
County. 

Andrew Ellinger and his brother, John 
F., who lives in Walnut Township, were 
raised in Marion Township, Hocking 
County. He remained there until in his 
twenty-third year, when he came to Fair- 
field County, after which he worked for 
some years on dififerent farms. He had his 
own way to make and his sole capital in 
money when he left Hocking County, was 
the sum of seventy-five cents, while at pres- 
ent, his name at the bottom of a legal paper 
means a great deal and illustrates what may 
be accomplished by persistent industry and 
right living. He has been a resident of 
Pleasant Township since the spring of 1874 
and is one of the useful and respected citi- 
zens of this section. 

Mr. Ellinger married Miss Clara Schart- 
cer, who was born in Pleasant Township, 
a daughter of the late Frederick Schartcer, 



and they have had four children: Minnie 
G., wife of P. W. Thoman, of Pleasant 
Township; Adelia M., wife of Willis Kufif- 
man, of Pleasant Township; and Helen and 
Blanche, both residing at home. In politics 
Mr. Ellinger is a Democrat and he and fam- 
ily belong to the Lutheran church. 

HENRY D. SMITH, of the firm of Smith 
Bros., general merchants at New Salem, O., 
has been a resident of Fairfield County all 
his life. He was born in Walnut Township, 
May 4, 1867, and is a son of Leonidas G. 
and Honora C. (Berry) Smith. 

Leonidas G. Smith was born at Browns- 
ville, O., and was left an orphan when 
young. He grew to manhood in Fairfield 
County and became a man of substance and 
importance in Walnut Township, engaging 
in farming and also for twenty-five years 
served as a justice of the peace at New 
Salem, where he died April 25, 1906, when 
aged sixty-nine years. His widow survives 
and resides in W^alnut Township, in which 
section she was born. Her father, Henry 
Berry, was one of the old pioneers here. 
Five children were born to Leonidas G. 
Smith and wife, namely : Henry D. ; D. 
Linden; Ottobine. who died in infancy; 
Mary, who is the wife of G. R. Wiseman; 
and Curtis Ray. 

Henry D. Smith spent his boyhood on 
the home farm and obtained his education 
in the district schools but merchandising 
rather than farming appealed to him and 
he secured a position as soon as he was 
able, with a general merchant at New 
Salem. In 1897 in partnership with D. Lin- 
den Smith, his brother, he bought the gen- 
eral store of G. A. Albrecht and still later 
that of B. C. Ortman at New Salem. The 
Smith Bros, moved to their present fine 




\ 



GEORGE J. GEAiaiAKT 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



463 



location in the Ortman Building, in 1908, and for a number of years was a member 

where they do a large business, carrying a of the board of education in that city. 
complete line of dry goods, groceries, boots William S. Gearhart, son of George, was 

and shoes. D. L. Smith of this firm sue- born at Circleville in May, 1852, being the 

ceeded B. C. Ortman as postmaster at New youngest of a large family, as follows: 

Salem and the postofifice is located in the Jerome and Frank, both of whom are veter- 

store. ans of the Civil War and reside in Soldiers' 

In August, 1898, Henry D. Smith was homes; John, who was second lieutenant 

married to Miss Olive A. Baker, who is a of his company at the time of his death 

daughter of Dr. H. C. Baker, an old and from an exploding shell, in South Carolina, 

trusted medical practioner at New Salem during the Civil War, and died just before 



for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
one daughter, Mildred Baker. Mr. Smith 
belongs to the Methodist Protestant 
church ; his wife belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat and at one time was his party's candi- 
date for the office of county treasurer. He 
belongs to the Alaccabees and attends lodge 



at New Salem. 

GEORGE J. GEARHART, auditor of 
Fairfield County, O., has been a prominent 
factor in Democratic circles in this part of 
the state and for a number of years was 
identified with several of the leading jour- 
nals of Lancaster, in an editorial capacity. 
He was born at Stoutsville, Fairfield 
County, O., January 12, 1877. and is a son 
of William S. and Isabel (Stout) Gearhart. 

The Gearhart family has been known in in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. and mar- 
Ohio for many years, its founder here hav- ried Nancy Christy. Of their nine children 
ing been the grandfather of George J. Gear- who reached maturity, Isabel, the mother 
hart, who bears his ancestor's name. Orig- of our subject, was the youngest. The 
inallv the Gearharts came from Germany 



his commission as first lieutenant reached 
him ; Samuel, who is a resident of Colum- 
bus, O. ; William S., father of the subject of 
this sketch ; Lucretia, who resides at South 
Bloomfield. Pickaway County, and is the 
widow of Daniel Bock, who died in Novem- 
ber, 191 1 : Mary, who is the wife of W. A. 
Bowsher, in Indianapolis, Ind. ; Kate, who 
is the wife of E. E. Bock, of Columbus; 
Nannie, who is the wife of William H. 
Snively. of Dayton, Ohio ; and Ella, who is 
the wife of A. K. Reed, of Lancaster, O. 
William S. Gearhart still resides at Stouts- 
ville and is connected with the rural mail 
service. 

On the maternal side, the ancestors of 
George J. Gearhart came also from Ger- 
many and through Pennsylvania to Ohio. 
The grandfather. Jonathan Stout, was born 



and many of them may yet be found in 

Pennsylvania, from which state George 

Gearhart came to Ohio in early manhood, 

walking the entire distance. Locating at 

Circleville. in Pickaway County, he there by one son. John W.. who is car inspector 

spent the larger part of his subsequent life, for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Lancas- 

He became a man of affairs and substance ter; Rachel, deceased, who was the wife of 



others were Amos, who is a retired resi- 
dent of Lancaster: Israel, who occui)ics the 
old homestead one mile north of Stouts- 
ville ; Reuben, who is a resident of Indiana ; 
Jonathan, now deceased, who is survived 



464 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



George S. Baker, who twice represented 
Fairfield County in the state legislature 
(and the mother of County Treasurer C. 
V. Baker) ; Catherine, who was the wife of 
Jacob Ernst, the latter a resident of Stouts- 
ville ; Margaret, who was the wife of Ira 
Nefif, and died at her home in Indiana ; and 
Malinda, who is the wife of George W. 
Neff, of Paulding County, O. 

To William S. and Isabel (Stout) Gear- 
hart the children born were as follows : 
George J., whose name appears at the head 
of this article ; Nannie, who resides at 
home ; Kirby, a horticulturist residing at 
Stoutsville, who married Addie Courtright ; 
Rollo, who died when aged eighteen 
months; and \\'illiani S., who lives with his 
parents. 

George J. Gearhart attended the Stouts- 
ville schools until he had attained the age 
of eighteen years and then began to teach 
school, afterward, as he had opportunity, 
attending local normal schools. During 
the period of seven years in which he was 
engaged in educational work he taught in 
different parts of Fairfield and Pickaway 
counties, during the two last years being a 
preceptor in the grammar department at 
Stoutsville. He retired from this field of 
effort in December, 1902. 

In the meanwhile, in addition to his edu- 
cational work, he had been correspondent 
for a number of the leading newspapers. 
He was a frequent contributor to the Cin- 
cinnati Enquirer, the Columbus journals, 
the Circleville Democrat and Watchman, 
and the Eagle and Fairfield County Demo- 
crat, of Lancaster. In the closing days of 
1902 he came to Lancaster to accept the 
position of managing editor of the Fairfield 
County Democrat, to which he devoted 



four and a half years of earnest work. In 
July, 1907, he resigned in order to become 
city editor of the Lancaster Daily Gazette. 
In August, 1908, his services were partially 
recognized by his party and he was elected 
to the position of clerk of the county elec- 
tion board, and in August, 1909, he was re- 
elected to this position. As he entered 
more actively into politics his editorial 
duties became a drag on his activities and 
he resigned his position on the Gazette, on 
November i, 1909. In the May primary of 
1910 he was nominated for county auditor 
and in the succeeding November was 
elected to this important office, the duties 
of which he assumed October 16, 191 1. His 
intimate acquaintance with public men and 
public affairs in the county through his 
newspaper connections, have qualified him 
for almost any public office, while the high 
personal esteem in which he is held assures 
him of the support of the best element of 
his fellow citizens. 

Mr. Gearhart was married November 20, 
1909. to Miss Pearl Shallenberger, a daugh- 
ter of Theodore Shallenberger, who was a 
commissioner of Fairfield County for six 
years. The mother of Mrs. Gearhart was 
Cornelia (Bechtel) Shallenberger, a mem- 
ber of one of the substantial old German- 
American families of this section. Her 
death took place April 22. 1910. Mr. Gear- 
hart is a member of the German Reformed 
church. He belongs to the order of Elks, 
in which he holds office and is also identi- 
fied with the Royal Arcanum. 

Ever since its organization, Mr. Gear- 
hart has been president of the Gearhart fam- 
ily association which holds annual reunions 
in Franklin Park in Columbus each Fourth 
of July. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



465 



GEORGE W. TAYLOR, of Millersport, 
O., resides on his farm of 140 acres, which 
lies on the Millersport and Thornville road, 
situated in Section 27, Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, and in association with 
his wife owns a number of building lots at 
Sandy Beach, on Buckeye Lake. Mr. Tay- 
lor has been a resident of Fairfield County 
since 1893. He was born in Licking 
County, O., near Newark, at the old Tay- 
lor canal locks, April 24, 1861, and is a son 
of James and Lydia (Bowlby) Taylor. 

James Taylor was born in Licking 
County, a son of William Taylor, who was 
a native of Virginia and came to Ohio when 
the canal was in course of construction and 
built nine miles of this waterway. He died 
at Taylor Locks. He was the father of 
six children, James Taylor being the eldest 
born. The others were as follows : Ellen, 
now deceased, who was the wife of Wil- 
liam Lynn ; John and Thomas, both of 
whom are deceased; Emma, deceased, who 
was the wife of Jackson Davis ; and Alonzo. 

James Taylor spent his youth on the 
home farm and attended the country 
schools when he could be spared, but in his 
boyhood farming and raising stock involved 
harder labor than at present. There were 
no transportation lines that could carry 
stock to tlie distant markets and the only 
way to reach the Baltimore market was to 
drive the stock over the mountains and de- 
liver them to buyers there. These trips 
James Taylor frequently made, traveling 
on foot and attending to the business in a 
way that was entirely satisfactory to his 
father. He died in September, 1880, at the 
age of sixty-one years. He married Lydia 
Bowlby, who was born in 1823, in New 
Jersey, and died in February, 1892. They 
had seven children, as follows: Eliza A., 



who is the wife of O. N. Penny, and resides 
in Missouri; John, who died young; Ella, 
who is the wife of Thomas Clunies, of Heb- 
ron, O. ; Sarah Jemima, who is the wife of 
William Larmore, of Kirkersville, O. ; 
Elizabeth, who is the wife of T. M. Rugg, 
of Newark, O. ; Samuel W., who lives at 
Luray, O. ; and George Wallace, of Wal- 
nut Township, Fairfield County. 

George Wallace Taylor was reared on 
the old Taylor farm until fifteen years of 
age, attending the country schools and 
later the schools at Kirkersville. Farming 
and stock-raising have been his main occu- 
pations for many years. After the death of 
his father-in-law, his wife inherited a part 
of the Murphy farm, her grandfather, Wil- 
liam Murphy, having entered the land from 
the Government, and as her inheritance 
included the comfortable farm-house, the 
family came to Walnut Township in 1893. 

Mr. Taylor was married December 25, 
1884, to Miss Emma Murphy, a daughter 
of William and Mary Murphy, the former 
of whom was born on the present farm and 
spent his life here. Four children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: Robert 
S., who assists his father on the farm, and 
married Carrie Auer; and Ella May, Mary 
Jane and Frances Irene. Politically Mr. 
Taylor is a Democrat. He belongs to the 
Masonic lodge at Millersport. 

GEORGE MATT, president of the Lan- 
caster Gas Light and Coke Company, also 
of the Lancaster Electric Light Company, 
is identified also with many other leading 
business enterprises of Lancaster, O., and 
has been one of the leading factors in the 
development of the fire insurance interests 
here for a quarter of a century. Mr. Matt 
was born November 6, 1842, at Ravens- 



466 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



burg, in the Kingdom of Wiirtemburg, 
South Germany, his parents being John 
and Maria (Leser) Matt, and he is a grand- 
son on the maternal side of Joseph and 
Anna Leser, old and respected residents 
for years of the town of Ravensburg. 

In the fall of 1854 the parents of Mr. 
Matt emigrated to America, settling soon 
after their arrival at Lancaster, O. Of for- 
mal schooling, especially in the English 
language. Mr. ]\Iatt had little and what he 
had accjuired in his own tongue was not 
extensive, but Nature had endowed him 
with a quick and retentive mind and he 
soon became so closely associated with 
practical business men that mere book 
learning became the least of his necessities. 
Mr. Matt early developed considerable 
business talent and has since been closely 
associated with many of the enterprises 
that have contributed to the advancement 
of Lancaster. He was one of the first busi- 
ness men of the city to enter into fire in- 
surance to any great extent and was also 
one of the first to see and avail himself of 
the benefits accruing from building and 
loan associations ; he early recognized the 
city's need of adequate public utilities, and 
at one time invested in an artificial gas 
plant, which only failed of being successful 
on account of the discovery of natural gas, 
and in numberless other ways he has fos- 
tered industries and enterprises more likely 
to be beneficial to the general public than 
especially so to himself. In almost all of 
those he has been associated with other 
practical business men and capitalists and 
often became connected with them because 
his co-operation was sought. While a 
Democrat in his political views, Mr. Matt 
is a broad-gauged man and on public ques- 
tions generally is very liberal-minded. At 



different times he has served in public 
ofifices. He is treasurer of the Board of 
Trade and has rendered efficient service on 
other official boards. 

Mr. Matt was married on April 6, 1863, 
to Miss Helena Hite, of Lancaster, and 
their six children reflect credit on their par- 
entage and rearing. They are as follows : 
Frank, who married Miss Grace Whitley, 
and has a daughter, Catherine ; George L., 
who married a lady from Mt. Carmel, 111. ; 
Edward, who married Lula McFee; Harry, 
who married Lillie Owen and has three 
children — Marion, Helen Marlow and 
George B. ; John, of whom we have no spe- 
cial record ; and Helen, who became the 
wife of Charles Trimble and has three chil- 
dren — Richard, Harriett Marie and Isabel. 
Mr. Matt and family are members of St. 
Mary's Catholic church, and he is officially 
connected with its various benevolent or- 
ganizations. He is widely recognized as 
one of Lancaster's substantial and reliable 
citizens. 

JOSEPH D. SHUMAN, who died Octo- 
ber 20, 191 1, was the proprietor of a fine 
farm of 135 acres lying in Pleasant Town- 
ship, and was well known all throiigh this 
section as a successful dealer and broker 
in cattle. He was born in York County, 
Pa., September 22, 1851, and was a son of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Dietz) Shuman, both 
of whom were natives of Chester County, 
Pa., and of German ancestry. In 1869 they 
came to Fairfield County and settled in 
Pleasant Township and passed the remain- 
der of their lives here. 

Joseph D. Shuman in early manhood 
learned the trade of cabinet-maker and 
after coming to Fairfield County in 1870, 
found employment as a house and barn 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



467 



builder and worked as such for five years. 
He then embarked in the butchering busi- 
ness, in Pleasant Township and was thus 
associated with his father for eight years, 
under the firm name of Joseph Shuman & 
Son, besides carrying on the farm. For the 
last twenty-five years of his life he was 
largely interested in dealing in cattle. He 
was a Republican in politics and was the 
only member of his party elected in 1900, 
when he served as land appraiser. He was 
prominent in agricultural afifairs in the 
county and for two years was president of 
the Fairfield County Agricultural Society. 
He also served for six years on the town- 
ship school board. 

Mr. Shuman married Miss Julia Mack- 
lin, who was born in Pleasant Township, 
a daughter of the late venerable Benjamin 
S. Macklin, whose father settled on the 
present homestead in 1799, and it has never 
been out of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Shu- 
man were the parents of two daughters : 
Nellie, who lives at home ; and Dellie, who 
is the wife of Ernest Rowles, of Lancaster, 
O. Mr. Shuman was identified with the 
Elks at Lancaster. 

CHARLES C. BEXIDUM. senior member 
of the general mercantile firm of Benidum & 
Peters, prosperous business men of Millers- 
port, Fairfield County, O., is also general man- 
ager of the Millersport Improvement Com- 
pany, and is actively interested in everything 
that adds to the importance of the town. Mr. 
Benidum was bom at Baltimore. Fairfield 
County, O., May 23, 1863. and is a son of 
Joseph and Rebecca (Sellers) Benidum. 

Joseph Benidum was a lifelong resident of 
Baltimore, O.. where, for a number of years, 
he carried on a saddlery business. His death 
occurred in 1864 and he was survived by a 



widow and three children. He married Re- 
becca Sellers, who was born in Pennsylvania 
and died at Baltimore in 1907, aged seventy- 
one years. She contracted a second marriage, 
with Emanuel Ault, who survives. Her chil- 
dren were born to her first marriage. Ida, 
the eldest, is the wife of Henry Hansbarger 
and they are residents of Columbus, O. Fran- 
ces is the wife of James Bope and they live at 
Thurston, Fairfield County. Charles Chase 
was the youngest born and was only one year 
old when his lather died, after which his 
mother moved to Etna, in Licking County, 
where, when he was seven years old, she mar- 
ried. 

Charles C. Benidum accompanied his 
mother and step-father and remained on the 
Ault farm in Liberty Town.ship until he was 
twenty-two years of age, when he came to 
Millersport. Here he became a clerk for his 
brother-in-law, Henry Hansbarger, who was 
conducting a general store where Mr. Beni- 
dum now does business. On September 25, 
190 1, Mr. Benidum and .Arthur W. Peters 
bought the business, Mr. Peters having had 
previous mercantile experience at Thurston. 
They carry a large and well selected stock of 
general merchandise and have the bulk of the 
trade in town and outlying districts, keeping 
up with the times in their displays and treating 
their customers courteously and honestly. 
Both members of the firm have additional in- 
terests, Mr. Peters being vice president of the 
Millersport Bank, in which Mr. Benidum is a 
director, and both being financially interested 
in the Millersport Improvement Company, 
which was incorporated in 1908, with the fol- 
lowing leading men of the place as interested 
members: A. W. Peters. C. C. Benidum. 
Charles Decker, Thomas Smith. Clay Bright, 
Lena Trigg, T. W. Stif? and C. A. Bright. 
The company purchased a large body of de- 



468 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



sirable real estate including a number of lots 
on Buckeye Lake and the object of the com- 
pany is to improve and sell this property with 
advantage to both seller and purchaser and in- 
cidentally to further build up the town. 

On February 7, 1887, Mr. Benidum was 
married to Miss Flora Eader, a daughter of 
John and Sarah Eader, and they have three 
children : Beulah, who is gifted with musical 
talent, and employs the same in teaching at 
Millersport; and Ethel and Frances. Mr. 
Benidum is identified with the Masonic bodies 
at Millersport and also with the Knights of 
Pythias. 

JOSEPH P. HERSHBERGER, M. D.. an 
eminently successful practicing physician of 
]_.ancaster, O., is a lifelong resident of Fair- 
field County and was born in Berne Town- 
ship, October 23, 1855. His parents were 
Louis and Catherine (Stuckey) Hershberger. 

Louis Hershberger was born in Germany 
and came to America in company with his two 
brothers, Jacob and Godfried Hershberger. 
the former of whom started for Wheeling and 
was afterward lost to his family, and the latter 
of whom went in an opposite direction, finally 
settling at Fairfield, la., where he left a large 
family at death. Louis Hershberger was 
probably the youngest of the three brothers 
and was eighteen years of age when he came 
to the United States in 1827. In 1833 or 1834 
he settled in Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, where he engaged in farming until 
1857, when he moved to Lancaster, O., and 
continued to reside there until the time of his 
death, in 1887, he then being aged seventy- 
eight years. He was married first to Rachel 
Ream, probably in 1835. His second marriage 
was to Catherine Stuckey, who was born in 
1819, and died in 1865, aged forty-six years. 
She was a daughter of Peter Stuckey, a pio- 



neer of Muddy Prairie, Fairfield County. 
After the death of the mother of Dr. Hersh- 
berger, Louis Hershberger married Catherine 
Schaffer. His children were all born to his 
second marriage, four in number, the two sur- 
vivors being: Joseph P. and Angeline, who 
is the widow of a Mr. Christ, and lives in 
Perry County, O. Mary died in infancy and 
Elizabeth died when aged six years. Louis 
Hershberger was a member of the Lutheran 
church. 

Joseph P. Hershberger was two years old 
when his father moved to Lancaster and thus 
he had excellent school advantages. With a 
local physician he did his preliminary medical 
reading and then entered Hahnemann Med- 
ical College, where he was graduated three 
years later, in 1881, immediately afterward 
entering upon the practice of his profession. 
He has served for over twelve years as health 
officer of this city and is among the foremost 
citizens in all matters of public importance, 
especially when the general welfare along 
medical lines is under consideration. He is 
identified with the leading medical organiza- 
tions of the country and is a Knight Templar 
Mason. 

In January, 1883, Dr. Hershberger was 
married to Miss Mary Donaldson, who was 
born at Brownsville, now known as Gratiot, 
O., a daughter of Thomas and Adella (Flow- 
ers) Donaldson. They have had five children, 
two of whom died in infancy. Three survive, 
namely: William K., who is a machinist in 
the Pennsylvania Railroad shops; Joseph P., 
who is a student in the senior class of the ag- 
ricultural department of the Ohio State Uni- 
versity; and Mary H., who is a student in the 
Domestic Science department of the State 
University. Dr. Hershberger and family are 
members of the Lutheran church. He is a 
Democrat in his political attachment. Since 



I 




ME. AND MRS. GEOKGE DARFUS 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



471 



1883 he has occupied his handsome residence 
at No. 351 East Main Street, Lancaster, and 
he still owns his father's old farm in Berne 
Township. 

GEORGE DARFUS, formerly a director 
of the Fairfield County Infirmary, is a well 
known farmer, oil contractor and well dig- 
ger, and resides in Pleasant Township, 
where he owns 103 acres of well tilled land. 
He was born in this township, March i, 
1862, and is a son of John and Anna (Zieg- 
ler) Darfus. 

The parents of Mr. Darfus were born in 
Bavaria, Germany. John Darfus came to 
America when twenty .years of age and after 
reaching Fairfield County, O., looked about 
for land that suited his requirements and 
found it in Pleasant Township, the place he 
settled on being ever since known as the 
Darfus homestead. He became a well 
known man and a useful one in his neighbor- 
hood and was serving in his second term as 
an infirmary director at the time of death, 
February 7, 1897. He married Anna Zieg- 
ler who survives and is now in her seventy- 
fourth year. Of their family of children 
there are five yet living: George; Lina 
wife of Levi Hite, of Walnut Township; 
Anna, wife of Dr. L. A. Parks, of Pleasant 
Township; John H., of Pleasant Township; 
and Henry P. A., also of Pleasant Town- 
ship. 

George Darfus attended school in Pleas- 
ant Township in his boyhood l)ut early be- 
gan to help his father and has always been 
more or less engaged in farm pursuits, but, 
as mentioned above, he has additional in- 
terests. He has been an active member of 
the Democratic party in his township and 
has served on the school board for six years. 
He also served two terms as a member of 

28 



the board of directors of the Fairfield 
County Infirmary, for four years being 
secretary of the board, and his books were 
always at the court house open for inspec- 
tion. 

Mr Darfus was married to Miss Almeda 
\Volf, who was born in Perry County, O., 
a daughter of Frederick Wolf, who is a resi- 
dent of Lancaster, O. They have had si.K 
children, namely: Altie J., who is a stu- 
dent at the State University at Columbus; 
Clara L., who is a student in the Pleasant- 
ville High School; George F., who is also 
attending the Pleasantville High School ; 
Lewis A. and Walter A., residing at home; 
and Anna E., who is deceased. The eldest 
son has decided to make a specialty of agri- 
cultural chemistry at the university and pro- 
poses to remain until he completes the 
course of four years. The training in mil- 
itary tactics, which is a part of the course, 
he also enjoys and is now first Lieutenant 
of his company of cadets, and a very pop- 
ular student. Mr. Darfus and wife are 
members of the German Lutheran church 
at Lancaster. 

ALBERT MONDHANK. whose excellent 
farm of sixty-six acres lies near Lancaster, O., 
on the Millersport road, in Pleasant Town- 
ship, and who also has 100 acres more in 
Pleasant Township and 105 acres in Green- 
field Township, Fairfield County, was born 
.April 27, 186..), in Hocking Township and is a 
son of \\'illiam and Nettie (BoeckeH Mond- 
hank. 

^^'illiam Mondhank was born in Germany 
and for many years was a respected resident 
of Fairfield County, where he died in 1907, 
his home being in Lancaster, to which place he 
had moved from Pleasant Township. He 
married Nettie Boeckel. who was also born 



472 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in Germany and they had eleven children, 
eight daughters and three sons, all of whom 
survive, as does the aged mother now in her 
ninety-first year. 

Albert Mondhank obtained his education in 
the schools of Pleasant Township and has 
spent the larger part of his life here, his busi- 
ness being farming and stock raising. He is 
a Democrat in politics and served four years 
on the school board. He married Miss Mary 
Reef, a daughter of the late John Reef, of 
Greenfield Township, and they have six chil- 
dlren— Clarence, Vernon, John, Annabel. 
Mary and Pauline. Mr. Mondhank has very 
pleasant surroundings, having improved his 
farm, and his commodious residence is a 
model of a rural home. With his family he 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Dummontsville. 



family has been prominent here for a very 
long period, his grandparents, Benjamin and 
Polly Stout coming in pioneer days and the 
town is named in honor of Benjamin Stout. 

N. F. Stout was married in 1879 to Miss 
Rosetta Odaffer, a daughter of Henry and 
Martha Odaf¥er, old residents of Tarlton, O. 
Mrs. Stout has one brother, William, and two 
sisters, Isabel and Emma, the former of whom 
is the wife of Henry Mowery, and the latter 
tne wife of Earl Thomas. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Stout two daughters were born — Bertha 
Blanche, who is the wife of F. L. Crites; and 
Mabel, who is a trained nurse, a graduate of 
the Protestant Hospital at Columbus. Mr. 
Stout and family belong to the Reformed 
church. He is a member of Scipio Lodge No. 
255, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 



N. F. STOUT, owner and proprietor of a 
general store at Stoutsville, O., and one of the 
leading and substantial residents of the place, 
was born in this town, April 30, 1857, a son 
of Simon and Louisa (Nefif) Stout. 

Simon Stout, who was born in Ohio in 1830 
and died at Stoutsville in 1907, was one of the 
earliest business men in this section and was 
the first merchant here. He married Louisa 
Nefif, a member of an old settled family of 
Ohio and they had the following children : N. 
F. ; Lucretia. wife of Amos Shupe; W. V. ; 
Anna C, wife of F. W. Smith, a prominent 
business man of Stoutsville; Bertha M., 
widow of Edward Smith; Maggie, wife of 
Lee Leas ; and Minnie Lee, wife of Mathew 
Miller. 

N. F. Stout was educated in the district 
schools and at Stoutsville and shortly after- 
ward embarked in the mercantile line here, in 
which business he has been continuously en- 
gaged for the past twenty-two years. His 



WILLIAM H. WATSON, who has spent 
his long and industrious life in Fairfield 
County, O., and resides on his excellent farm 
of 160 acres which is situated in Walnut 
Township, is numbered with the highly re- 
spected citizens of this section and the success- 
ful farmers and stock raisers. He was born 
on this farm December 2, 1838, and is a son 
of James C. and Rebecca (Cunningham) 
Watson. 

James C. Watson was born in Ireland and 
was sixteen years of age when he accompanied 
his father, Thomas Watson, to America. The 
family settled near New Salem, O., and there 
Thomas Watson died. James C. Watson be- 
came a farmer and raiser of stock and about 
the time of his marriage settled on the farm 
now owned by his son in Walnut Township 
where he spent the remainder of his life, dy- 
ing at the age of sixty-eight years. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Cunningham, who lived to the 
age of eighty-two years and is still remem- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



473 



bered in this section. They had the following 
children: Deborah, Christianna, Elizabeth, 
Jane, Rebecca, Thomas, James, Jonathan, Jo- 
seph, William Hand, Ryan K., Emma, and 
one that died in infancy. Five members of 
this family still survive — Jonathan, Joseph, 
William H., Ryan K. and Emma. 

Much more interesting than poring over 
old township annals is a conversation with an 
intelligent and well informed man like Wil- 
liam H. Watson, whose memory covers every 
important township occurrence for almost sev- 
enty years, in many of which he bore his part. 
In his boyhood three winter months were all 
that could be used for school instruction and 
he easily recalls the merry troop that went 
from his own home to the little log school- 
house some distance away. He gave his father 
much needed help on the farm not only in 
cultivating but in clearing, which was a very 
laborious task, and took pride in the way he 
could excel. Many changes in the neighbor- 
hood have taken place, old families have died 
out and new ones come in. The greater part 
of the once wild land has been put under culti- 
vation, the township is proud of its good roads 
and since his boyhood a' more comfortable 
way of living has come about, and in all these 
things Mr. Watson has l)een more or less con- 
cerned. For many years he engaged in farm- 
ing and rai.sed stock, turning out many fine 
horses on his place. He is no longer so active, 
his youngest son, Fred, now managing the 
farm for him. 

Mr. Watson was married in 1865 to Miss 
Almeda Brandon, who was born on the farm 
of her father, John Brandon, four miles west 
of the present farm. Nine children have been 
born to them, namely: Mirtie, who is the wife 
of Elmer Cooper ; James B. : Ella, who is the 
wife of Otto Grove : John F. : Euphemia. who 
is the wife of Darrell Christ; Georgie, who is 



the wife of Clyde Berry; Harry; Grace, who 
is the wife of J. C. Zollinger; and Fred. In 
addition to this creditable family, Mr. Watson 
has sixteen grandchildren. He is one of the 
pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
for many years has been an official. In poli- 
tics he is identified with the Republican party 
but has always refused political honors. In 
1874 he erected the handsome brick residence 
that is the family home. 

ABRAHAM D. GOSS, a well known 
farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., was born on his 
present farm, I'cbruary 17, 1835, and is a son 
of John and Annie (Doomy) Goss, both na- 
tives of Switzerland. John Goss came to 
America in early manhood and settled in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, when 
the whole country in this section was covered 
with heavy timl^er, and lived here until his 
death. John Doomy, the maternal grand- 
father, brought his family with him from 
Switzerland and also settled early in Fairfield 
County. 

Abraham D. Goss had but few educational 
advantages as we consider such at the present 
day, but he had much practical experience that 
supplied him with knowledge that he could 
never have secured from books. For many 
years he has carried on agricultural pursuits 
with much success and owns 221 acres of ex- 
cellent land. Mr. Goss was married first to 
Miss Mary A. Miller, a daughter of John Mil- 
ler, a former resident of Pleasant Township, 
and she became the mother of four children, 
as follows : Charles C, who lives in Pleasant 
Township: Adelia C. who is the wife of Wil- 
liam T. Betz. of Franklin County, superin- 
tendent of the Hartmann stock farm near Co- 
lumbus, this being famous all over the United 
States: Effie P., who is deceased; and Minta, 



474 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



who is the wife of S. S. McDowell, of Co- 
lumbus. For his second wife Mr. Goss mar- 
ried Mrs. Tilla Miller, widow of the late 
Isaiah Miller of Licking County. Mr. Goss is 
a member of the Evangelical church, in which 
he has served as a deacon. In politics he is a 
Democrat but has never accepted any public 
office except that of school director of District 
No. 3, Pleasant Township. 

HENSON M. HAZELTON, M. D., physi- 
cian and surgeon at Lancaster, O., where he 
has been professionally engaged since 1901, is 
a native of Perry County, O., born June 2, 
187 1, and is a son of Harrison and Lorena 
(Marlowe) Hazelton, and a grandson of 
Henry Hazelton. 

Henry Hazelton was born in Pennsylvania 
and was a pioneer in Perry County, 0., set- 
tling in the wilderness and literally hewing out 
a home from the forest. His father and six 
brothers accompanied him. He was captain 
of a regiment in the War of 1812. The fam- 
ily is of English extraction, two brothers, 
John and Robert Hazelton coming to America 
in 1637, they being among the first sixty set- 
tlers at Salem. Mass. 

Harrison Hazelton, father of Dr. Hazelton. 
was born in Perry County, O., where he died 
in 1899, at the age of seventy-eight years. He 
was a coal operator, a successful man in busi- 
ness and a much respected citizen. His 
widow still survies. 

Henson M. Hazelton was liberally educated, 
attending first the local schools, then Hiram 
College, at Hiram, O., and later the Ohio 
State University. His medical training was 
secured at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, at Baltimore, Md., and was supple- 
mented by a post-graduate course at the New 
York Polyclinic. While a resident of Balti- 
more, he served as an interne in the City Hos- 



pital and was also attached to the Bay View 
Almshouse. Dr. Hazelton began his practice 
at Uhrichsville, O., where he remained but a 
short time, in 1901 coming to Lancaster, 
where he now enjoys a large and remunerative 
general practice. He is a member of the Na- 
tional, State and county medical bodies and be- 
longs to the Medical Research Club at Lan- 
caster. 

Dr. Hazelton married Miss Lillian Pearl 
Perrin, a native of Thornton, Ind., and they 
have one son, Henson Perrin, who was born 
at Lancaster. Dr. Hazelton and wife are mem- 
bers of the Christian church. In politics he is 
a Republican. 

JOHN KEISER, superintendent of the 
Fairfield County Infirmary, which is located 
in Pleasant Township, is one of the well 
nown, representative men of this section and 
a successful farmer in different places. He 
was born in Marion County, O., March 15, 
1854, and is a son of Frederick and Hannah 
Keiser. 

The parents of Mr. Keiser, who were bom 
in Germany, emigrated to America early in the 
fifties, locating for a time at Delaware, O. 
Later they moved to Marion County but sub- 
sequently returned to Delaware and there the 
family lived uintil the death of his mother, 
when John was thirteen years of age. This 
is a calamity for any boy of that age. He 
soon left home and went to Columbus, O., 
where he found employment in a furniture 
factory for a short time and then went to the 
Columbus Buggy Company. From Columbus 
he went to Louisville. Ky.. and there, in Au- 
gust, 1872. he enlisted in Co. F, 8th U. S. 
Cav., and served in the regular army for 
nearly five years, headquarters for three years 
being at Fort Union, New Mexico, and after- 
ward at Fort Clark, Texas. The main duty 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



475 



of this branch of tlie service was to patrol the 
Rio Grande River and this frequently included 
fighting with Indians on the border. The 
commander of the troops was Gen. Greggs. 
Our subject was on several expeditions under 
command of Colonel Shafter, who later be- 
came General Shafter, being in command at 
Fort Clark. Mr. Keiser enlisted as a private 
and before he was honorably discharged, in 
June, 1877. he had been twice promoted and 
was a sergeant for three years and during 
the last year was drill sergeant, promotion 
testifying to the excellent character he sus- 
tained. After his military service was over 
he returned for a short time to Delaware, 
O., and then to Columbus, where he was 
employed under Manager Thorn at the 
State Agricultural Experiment Station. 
For many years after coming to Fairfield 
County he was engaged in farming in Lib- 
erty and Walnut Townships and thus 
continued until he was appointed su- 
perintendent of the Infirmary, on April i, 
1903. Mr. Keiser is a Democrat in politics 
but has seldom accepted local offices, serving 
for a time, however, as constable, while a 
resident of Violet Township. 

Mr. Keiser was married August 28, 1879, 
to Miss Caroline Raver, who was born in 
Fairfield County, a daughter of the late Sam- 
uel Raver, of Violet Township, and they have 
had ten children, as follows: Lewis A., who 
lives in Walnut Township; Ada G., who is the 
wife of T. H. Kumler, of Liberty Township: 
Franklin F., who is engineer of the Fairfield 
County Infirmary; Samuel D.. who is also 
connected with the Infirmary: and Grover J., 
Russell R. and Roy D., all of whom live in 
Pleasant Township ; and three who are de- 
ceased. Mr. Keiser is an example of a self- 
made man and the success that has crowned 
his undertakings has come through his own 



honest and persevering efforts. Mrs. Keiser 
has served as matron of the Infirmary for the 
same time that Mr. Keiser has been superin- 
tendent. 

HON. CHARLES WILLIS PARIDO, 
justice of the peace at Lancaster, O., of 
which city he formerly was mayor, has 
served with the greatest efficiency in numer- 
ous public offices and is one of the best 
known citizens of Fairfield County. He 
was born in Clark County, Ky., September 
22, 1845, and is a son of William and Mary 
(Hart) Parido. 

The Parido family originated in France 
and the great-grandfather came to the 
American colonies prior to the Revolution- 
ary War and located in Essex County, Va., 
from which state Grandfather William 
Parido moved to Kentucky, in 1810. The 
latter died in 1851 ; he married Elizabeth 
Bullock. 

William Parido, son of William and 
Elizabeth Parido, was born in Kentucky 
and lived there until 1854, when he brought 
his family to Fairfield County, settling on 
a farm in Walnut Township near Pleasant- 
ville. He became a soldier in Co. I, 126th 
O. Vol. Inf., and lost his life at the battle 
of the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. He mar- 
ried Mary Hart, who was a cousin to Joel 
Hart, the celebrated sculptor. P'our chil- 
dren were born to them, the two survivors 
being Charles Willis and Robert Taylor, 
the latter of whom has been engaged 
throughout his entire business life in the 
building contracting line. 

Charles Willis Parido was mainly edu- 
cated at the Fairfield Union Academy, in 
Pleasantville. He started to teach school 
when eighteen years of age and continued 
for twelve years. His educational labors 



476 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



led to a wide acquaintance all over the 
county and to many pleasant and lasting 
friendships. During the winter of 1865-66, 
while teaching at Walnut Township, Fair- 
field County, he had as a pupil, Prof. C. C. 
Miller, who is now himself a well known 
educator. Mr. Parido was almost loath to 
retire from the schoolroom in 1881, when 
he was elected to the office of county re- 
corder, the duties of which he assumed on 
January 2, 1882, and continued in office un- 
til January 2, 1888, two full terms. In 
January, 1886, he was elected a justice of 
the peace, and from 1889 until 1890 he 
served as acting mayor of Lancaster, in the 
latter year being appointed mayor and serv- 
ing one year. He was elected in 1891 for 
two years, when he was appointed to the 
office and served from April, 1895, until 
April, 1896. In the following year he was 
again elected to the office of justice of the 
peace and has continued as such until the 
present. His public duties have all been 
performed with fidelity to the county and 
city and he is held in very high esteem by 
his fellow citizens. 

On July II, 1883, Judge Parido was mar- 
ried to Miss Nellie May Thompson, a 
daughter of James W. and Mary (Graham) 
Thompson. Mrs. Parido was reared in 
Harrison County, O. Three children have 
been born to them, namely: Harriet 
Florence, who is the wife of Harry F. 
Allen, of Clarksburg, W. Va., a glass 
worker by trade, and they have three chil- 
dren — Dorothy May, Richard Parido and 
Donald Allen; Mathilde Elizabeth, wife of 
William Boyd Carnes of Washington, D. 
C. ; and Emily Eleanor, who is a talented 
music teacher. The family attends the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Judge Parido 
is identified with the Democratic party. 



THOMAS J. BARR. Fairfield County 
is fortunate in having a particularly fine 
board of public officials, and among the 
most capable and efficient is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who has filled the 
position of county treasurer for the past 
five years. Mr. Barr is a man of high 
standing in his own community, one of 
substantial possessions, and a citizen who 
gives liberally to the support of schools, 
church and public improvements. He was 
born December 29, 1848, on the farm he 
now owns in Amanda Township, Fairfield 
County, O., one of the eleven children of 
Thomas and Hannah (Meyers) Barr; 
farming people of Fairfield county. 

Thomas J. Barr was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and at Fairfield Union 
Academy, after which he took a commer- 
cial course at Miami Business College at 
Dayton, O. For the following 15 years he 
was engaged in teaching school mostly in 
his native county, teaching ten years in 
Amanda Township, three years in Hock- 
ing Township and two years in Washing- 
ton Township, Pickaway County. He then 
turned his attention to his 160-acre farm, 
where he carried on general agriculture 
and dealt also in livestock. He has been 
active in public affairs since early manhood. 
In 1881 he was elected secretary of The 
Dutch Hollow Cemetery Company, Amanda 
Township, which office he still holds, and 
he also served on the school board and was 
four years township clerk of Amanda 
Township. In November, 1905, he was 
elected to the office of county treasurer, en- 
tering upon its duties in September of the 
following year, and through the amend- 
ment of the law governing the tenure of 
office, had an extension of office for one 
year. In politics he is a Democrat. Since 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



477 



1873 he has been identified with the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge at 
Amanda, the Chapter, Council and Com- 
mandery at Lancaster. He is a Past Mas- 
ter of Amanda Lodge and served as secre- 
tary several years. He joined Tarlton 
Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F., Tarlton, Ohio, 
in the spring of 1870, and when Amanda 
Lodge, No. 548, I. O. O. F. was instituted, 
he became a charter member and served as 
its first recording and permanent secre- 
taries. He and his wife and family are 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

Mr. Barr married Miss Nora Belle 
Strode, June 3, 1880, a daughter of Thomas 
and Isabell Strode, and they have nine chil- 
dren—Albert L., Clyde A.. Ralph L., Mabel, 
Russell Strode, Wallace, Thomas Harold, 
Viola Bell and Paul Milton. The pleasant 
family home is situated at No. 135 E. King 
street, Lancaster, Ohio. 

HON. GEORGE W. LAMB, for many 
years a prominent citizen of Fairfield 
County, O., and during two terms a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature, has also been 
a leading man in the affairs of Greenfield 
Township and of Hooker, O., in which place 
he is at present in business, having been 
identified with this town since 1878. He 
was born December 28, 1844, in Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a 
son of Peter and Catherine (Lane) Lamb. 

Peter Lamb was a lifelong resident of 
Bloom Township and was a son of Philip 
Lamb, who was one of the pioneers in that 
section, entering land from the Govern- 
ment at that time, and was one of five 
brothers who located in Fairfield County. 
Peter Lamb married Catherine Lane, who 
also was born in Bloom Township. 

George W. Lamb was afiforded excellent 



educational advantages and attended Union 
Academy at Pleasantville for some years, 
after which he taught school for some four 
years and during this time was principal of 
the high school at Carroll, O. Mr. Lamb 
is a Democrat and has been an active and 
interested citizen since reaching manhood 
and his usefulness to his party and the pub- 
lic generally has frequently been recognized 
by his fellow citizens. He has served sev- 
eral terms as treasurer of Greenfield Town- 
ship, in 1896 was elected to the Lower 
House in the Ohio Legislature, and in 1898 
was elected again to the same legislative 
position, in both cases proving himself an 
able and honest statesman. He has also 
served many years as a member of the 
Greenfield Township School Board and has 
been president of this body. In 1878 he 
came to Hooker and has served as post- 
master here for a number of years, and has 
filled other positions of responsibility. Since 
1898 he has devoted himself exclusively to 
dealing in grain, coal, hay, tile, cement, 
fence posts and wire fencing, but for a quar- 
ter of a century previously he had also been 
engaged in a general mercantile business. 
Mr. Lamb was first united in marriage 
with Carrie Brown, of which union there 
were two children, Edward Wirt and 
Odessa, the former of whom resides in 
Bloom Township, the latter being the wife 
of J. M. Brandt, of Enid, Okla. Mr. Lamb 
married secondly Almeda Fenstemaker, of 
Carroll, O., and they had one daughter, 
Leona, who is a resident of Detroit, Mich. 
Mr. Lamb contracted a third marriage with 
Miss Carrie Peters, who was born in 
Greenfield Township, a member of one of 
the old and respected families of that town- 
ship, she being a daughter of the late Silas 
Peters. Of this union there is a daughter, 



478 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Catherine, who is attending the Ohio State 
University at Columbus, O. ; and Alberta, 
who is a student. Mr. Lamb is a Mason, 
belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter, 
both at Lancaster, O. 

HENRY C. SMITH, an honored veteran 
of the Civil War who now lives somewhat 
retired on his valuable farm of 147 acres, 
which" is situated in Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, C, lying on both sides 
of the road and being partly in Section 4 
and partly in Section 9, purchased this 
farm in 1881 from its former owner, Charles 
Heart. He was born January 16, 1841, in 
Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., a 
son of Warren and Catherine (Peters) 
(Chenoweth) Smith. 

Warren Smith was born at Penn Yan, 
Yates County, N. Y., where he grew to 
manhood and taught school and also learned 
the carpenter's trade. This trade he fol- 
lowed after coming to Ohio and assisted in 
the construction of many buildings in Fair- 
field County. He was twice married and 
lived to the age of seventy-five years, his 
death occurring when his son, Henry Clay, 
was sixteen years old. Warren Smith was 
first married to Lydia Cummins and they 
had three children: Stephen, George and 
Hester, the last named being the wife of 
Hiram Bolsley. All, including the mother, 
have long since passed away. His second 
marriage was to Mrs. Catherine (Peters) 
Chenoweth, widow of John Chenoweth. 
She had three children : Elizabeth, who 
was the wife of Jacob Culp, both now de- 
ceased; Joshua; and Sarah, deceased, who 
was the wife of Noah Radebaugh. Mrs. 
Smith was born in Hampshire County, Va., 
in 1797, and died in 1881. Four children 
were born to this second union, namely : 



Allen P., who is deceased; Elijah G., who 
lives in Walnut Township; Laura, who was 
the wife of Jacob Radebaugh, both de- 
ceased; and Henry C. 

Henry Clay Smith had but meager school 
advantages in his youth, but they were as 
much as any country boy enjoyed at that 
time and place. He very early began to 
be helpful to his father and by the time he 
was twelve years old was working for 
wages, by the month, for his brother Allen. 
Later he went to work for Henry Miller 
and was with this employer when the Civil 
War broke out, in the second year of 
which, August 19, 1862, he enlisted under 
Capt. H. C. Yontz, in Co. I, 126th O. Vol. 
Inf. He served faithfully until July 2, 1865, 
being mustered out near Washington, D. 
C, and honorably discharged at Columbus, 
O. At the battle of Spottsylvania, on May 
12, 1864, he was so seriously wounded in 
the left leg that he was obliged to remain 
in a hospital and submit to treatment for 
nine months, and at the end of that time, 
when he insisted on returning to his regi- 
ment, he could walk only with the help of 
both a cane and a crutch. He took part in 
many other important battles, including 
Martinsburg, Va., the Wilderness and Lo- 
cust Grove, and in innumerable skirmishes, 
in which many of his comrades were killed 
or injured. After his long term of military 
service was over he returned to Ohio and 
as soon as his strength permitted resumed 
his former activities. He at first rented 
tracts of land near the old home and culti- 
vated them. Later, in association with his 
brother, Elijah G., he rented a farm of 150 
acres which they operated together for 
several years. After purchasing his pres- 
ent farm he spent some time in improving 
it, rebuilding the residence and erecting all 



AND REPRESExXTATIVE CITIZENS 



479 



the other farm buildings. General farming 
and stock raising are the successful indus- 
tries on the place which is now under the 
capable management of his son-in-law, 
Charles Bright. 

Mr. Smith was married October 15, 1870, 
to Miss Sarah Cooperider, a daughter of 
George and Irene (Gant) Cooperider, both 
of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Smith 
was born in Walnut Township, near the 
present home farm, where her parents set- 
tled early. Her father cleared ofi 160 acres 
of land through which ran the canal. He 
was one of twelve children to each of whom 
their father gave a one-quarter section of 
land. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith two children 
were born : Harley Marion, who died at 
the age of eleven years; and Lillie B. The 
latter was married first to Rev. Ira S. 
Snelling and after his death to Charles 
Bright, and they live on the homestead. 
Mrs. Bright had one child born to her first 
marriage, Ida Marie, who has lived with 
her grandparents since she was one year 
old. Mr. Smith and family are members of 
the U. B. church, in which he is a class 
leader and a member of the board of 
trustees. 

ROBERT RUTTER, a prominent citi- 
zen of Pleasant Township, a director of the 
Fairfield County Agricultural Society and 
a trustee of the Fairfield County Children's 
Home, resides on the Pleasantville turn- 
pike road, Pleasant Township, on the farm 
on which he was born, March 14, 187 1. He 
is a son of Samuel B. and Frances (Smith) 
Rutter. 

Samuel B. Rutter was born in Pleasant 
Township and his wife at Lancaster, O., 
and both are now deceased. Samuel B. 



Rutter was a son of Baltzer Rutter, who 
was of German extraction but was born in 
Lancaster County, Pa. From there he 
came with his family in 1815, making the 
journey by wagon and camping out by 
night on the way and finally settling on the 
farm which his grandson now owns. The 
fine highway passing the door of Mr. Rut- 
ter's residence is the much traveled Pleas- 
antville turnpike road but the same passing 
by his grandfather's log cabin, was an In- 
dian path. The Rutters became people of 
importance in the new section and one uncle 
of Robert Rutter became a member of the 
Ohio State legislature and served two 
terms, and his son, Edward C. Rutter be- 
came Judge of Probate in Fairfield County. 
The latter is a resident of Lancaster. Sam- 
uel B. Rutter died in 1906. His life had 
been entirely an agricultural one and he 
was well known. In politics he was a Re- 
publican. He married Frances Smith, who 
died March 26, 1909. Two children sur- 
vive them — Robert and Elizabeth C. 

Robert Rutter attended the public 
schools in Pleasant Township and for two 
and one-half years was a student in the uni- 
versity at Athens, O., when he came under 
the instruction of the well known educator, 
President Super. Since then he has de- 
voted himself largely to farming and stock 
raising on the homestead of eighty acres. 
He is prominent in Masonry and belongs 
to the Shrine at Columbus, and to the 
Knights of Pythias at Lancaster. Both he 
and sister are members of the Presbyterian 
church. In politics he is a Republican. 
Since 1904 he has been a director of the 
county agricultural society and for six 
years a member of the school board of 
Pleasant Township. 



480 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



CLEMENT V. BAKER, county treas- 
urer of Fairfield County, O., has long been 
one of the representative pubHc men of the 
county, and has been especially prominent 
in Democratic political circles. He was 
born April 27, 1863, in Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, and is a son of 
George Staily and Rachel (Stout) Baker. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was George H. Baker, who was born at 
Hagerstown, Md., whence he came to Fair- 
field County, Ohio, settling in Clear Creek 
Township, where he was one of the first 
permanent land owners. He was married 
September 23, 1799, to Catherine Staily, 
who was born in York County, Pa., April 6, 
1778, and was a daughter of Andrew and 
Mary Staily. She died at the age of 81 
years, one month and 25 days, on May 31, 
1859. At an early age she was received as 
a member of the German Reformed Church, 
and was "a dutiful wife, an affectionate and 
christian mother and a kind friend." Her 
husband, George H. Baker, had preceded 
her to the grave nearly two years before. 

George Staily Baker, father of Clement 
v., was born in Clear Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, O., July 30, 1819, and was the 
youngest of his parents' children. He was 
educated in the backwoods school, near his 
home, where he stood at the head of his 
class, and he subsequently improved his 
education by a system of self instruction 
until he had claims to be regarded, for his 
day, as a very well educated man. He 
taught in the public schools for several 
years and was the first teacher in the Stouts- 
ville district. His regular occupation was 
that of farming, but he was also a fine 
mechanic — a good cabinet-maker and wood- 
worker, and an undertaker. While en- 
gaged in the last mentioned occupation, he 



made all the coffins himself. Late in life 
he was a partner in business with his son, 
William M. Baker. He and his sons burned 
the brick and built the Custom Mills in 
1871. He also erected the Baker Block in 
Stoutsville. At the age of 22 he was elected 
township clerk, which office he held for 35 
years. He served as justice of the peace 
for 24 years, and was colonel of a militia 
regiment before the war. He also served 
five years as representative of Fairfield 
County, in the Ohio legislature. Few men 
had a larger acquaintance than he, and none 
were so well posted in the pioneer history 
of this part of the country. He was bap- 
tized in infancy by the Rev. George Weisc, 
and was confirmed a member of the Re- 
formed Church, in 1837, at the Old Zion 
Church, in Washington Township, Pick- 
away County, O., and it is said that at that 
time he could repeat the entire catechism. 
He was an active church worker all his life 
and was one of the principal organizers of 
the Heidelberg congregation at Stoutsville, 
and also in the building of the church edi- 
fice. He was ordained elder by the Rev, 
McConnell, in 1863, which office he held and 
faithfully filled until his death. The latter 
event took place on June 3d, 1896, when he 
was aged 76 years, ten months and three 
days. He had retired from active business 
five years previously, his retirement being 
induced by the loss of his beloved wife, 
whom he seemed anxious to follow. Mr. 
Baker was a plain unassuming man, of 
sturdy, self-reliant character and above the 
average in mentality. He was not a showy 
man, but got a good mental grasp of any 
subject that came before him, and his coun- 
sels were sought by many. His advice was 
always cheerfully given and was always on 
the side of clear unbiased justice. All re- 




GEOKGE S. RAKER 




CLKMENT V. BAKER 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



483 



spected his capacity and his honesty was 
never doubted by tliose who knew him. He 
enjoyed good health all his life until within 
a few months before his death. 

On May 8, 1845, George S. Baker was 
united in marriage to Rachel Stout, who 
was born September 14, 1826, on the Stout 
farm in Clear Creek Township, adjoining 
that of the Baker's. She was a daughter 
of Jonathan Stout, wdio was born in Berks 
County, Pa., June 1, 1800, and who died 
Dec. 29, 1884. At the age of eight years he 
had emigrated with his parents to Clear 
Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, 
and he lived in the immediate vicinity of his 
father's original location the remainder of 
his life. He was a member of the Reformed 
Church. On October 24, 1824, Jonathan 
Stout married Miss Nancy Christy, daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Catherine Christy of 
Pickaway County, and this union was 
blessed with eleven children — four sons and 
seven daughters. Mrs. Nancy Stout died 
July 4, 1874. "Uncle Jonathan," as he was 
familiarly called, was one of those quiet, un- 
assuming men, who would rather suffer an 
injury than resent one. Politically he was 
an advocate of Jefifersonian principles, cast 
his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jack- 
son in 1824 and voted the Democratic ticket 
at each succeeding State and Presidential 
election down to October, 1884. He left 
three sons and five daughters, besides 
numerous grandchildren and great grand- 
children. 

George S. and Rachel (Stout) Baker were 
the parents of six sons and three daughters, 
those who survived childhood being as fol- 
lows : Ephraim, a resident of Lancaster, 
married Mary Lathouse, who is now de- 
ceased. Amos, a young man of fine char- 
acter, died unmarried at the age of thirty 



years. He was a sincere christian, and en- 
dured with patience and fortitude the long 
and lingering illness which his end. Wil- 
liam M., who has been superintendent of 
the Henry Brick Plant at Lancaster for a 
number of years, married Sarah Crites. 
Jonathan U., Superintendent of the Can- 
ning Plant and Notary at Stoutsville, mar- 
ried Mary Neff. Abraham, who is a car- 
penter, resides in Kansas ; he married Rosa 
Hoffman. Clement V. is the direct subject 
of this sketch. Mary E. is the wife of Dr. 
C. A. Kefauver, a practicing physician at 
Stoutsville. Mrs. Rachel Baker died, after 
a lingering sickness of eleven weeks, on 
May 19, 1891, aged sixty-four years, eight 
months and five days. She was a faithful 
member of the Reformed Church, in which 
she had been confirmed in 1845, "^"^ ^^^ a 
woman of sincere and earnest christian 
character. 

Clement V. Baker, who, as above re- 
corded, was born on the old Baker home- 
stead in Clear Creek Township, attended 
school more or less regularly until he was 
twenty years of age and then turned his at- 
tention to general farming and fruit culture, 
in which line of industry he has be^en emi- 
nently successful. He owns the old home- 
stead of fifty-five acres on which he was 
born, and has transformed the old farm into 
one of the most flourishing fruit farms and 
nurseries to be found in Central Ohio. As 
a scientific fruit grower he has attracted 
considerable attention and his big luscious 
strawberries have become famous. Mr. 
Baker has long taken an active part in pub- 
lic affairs. He served as township and 
school treasurer in Clear Creek Township 
for thirteen years continuously, always run- 
ning ahead of his ticket at election time, 
and has been an active member of the Dem- 



484 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ocratic County, Central and Executive Com- 
mittees. On November 5, 1910, he was 
elected treasurer of Fairfield County, in 
which office he is still serving, having con- 
ducted its business with the same ability 
that he has shown in his private affairs and 
with unimpeachable integrity. He is per- 
sonally popular and, as already intimated, 
always draws out the full votes of his party 
at the polls. For twelve years he has been 
a member and a director of the Fairfield 
Agricultural Society, and he is identified 
fraternally with Amanda Lodge, No. 509, F. 
& A. M. ; the Eastern Star; Scippo Lodge, 
No. 255, K. of P., and the Pythian Sisters, 
at Stoutsville. 

In 1885 Mr. Baker married Miss Esba 
Tompkins, a daughter of S. M. Tompkins 
who, during his active life, was a farmer in 
Pickaway County. Mr. Tompkins is a 
veteran of the Civil War and since the 
death of his wife, in May, 1908, has been a 
member of Mr. Baker's household. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baker have one child. May, who 
is the wife of W. H. Crites, of Lancaster, 
O. Mr. and Mrs. Crites have a son and 
daughter — Vaughn and Elizabeth. Mr. and 
Mrs. Baker are members of the German 
Reformed Church. 

BROOKS E. SHELL, one of the leading 
members of the Fairfield County bar, has 
been in continuous practice at Lancaster for 
the past fourteen years and has identified 
himself with the important public interests 
of this city. He was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County, O., February 
28, 1866, and is a son of James and Mary 
(Weist) Shell. 

James Shell was born in Virginia and 
followed agricultural pursuits through ac- 
tive life. He accompanied his parents to 



Ohio in childhood, and at one time was one 
of the most extensive farmers in Fairfield 
County. He died in 1901, at the age of 
si.xty-three years. He married Mary Weist, 
who was born December 25, 1841, a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Weist. Two sons were born 
to James and Mary Shell — Brooks E. and 
William E. The latter is a commercial 
traveler for a hardware firm in Cleveland 
but maintains his home at Lancaster. 

Brooks E. Shell was reared on the home 
farm and in boyhood attended the country 
schools. He later spent two years in the 
Northwestern University and three and a 
half years in the Ohio Western University 
at Delaware, O., completing his college 
course in 1889. Mr. Shell then became a 
student of law in the office of Judge George 
E. Martin. He went to Denver, Colo., in 
1891, where he was admitted to the bar in 
January, 1892. Beginning practice there, 
he remained until 1898, during 1896 and 
1897 being the police prosecutor of the city 
of Denver, Colo. In 1897 he returned to 
Lancaster and has been engaged here ever 
since, having a large and remunerative 
practice and having won a foremost place 
in his profession. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican arid takes considerable interest in 
public matters. 

On June 12, 1895, Mr. Shell was married 
to Miss Rosa Smith, a daughter of Samuel 
Y. and Florence (Wynn) Smith, who were 
residents of Galveston, Tex., at the time of 
Mrs. Shell's birth. Mr. and Mrs. Shell are 
members of the English Lutheran church. 

CHARLES G. BUSBY, justice of the 
peace in Pleasant Township, who has filled 
this office for a quarter of a century and in his 
official capacity as well as personally is held in 
the highest regard, was born in this township. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



485 



September i6, 1857, and is a son of John T. 
and Lavina (Smetters) Busby. 

John T. Busby was a son of one of the early 
settlers of Pleasant Township but he was left 
an orphan at the age of fourteen years and 
from that time was entirely dependent upon 
himself. His .successful and honorable career 
illustrated what industry, honesty and temper- 
ance may accomplish even under great disad- 
advantages. He learned the cabinet-making 
trade but after marriage settled down to farm- 
ing in Pleasant Tow-n.ship and was interested 
also in horticulture. He served two terms, of 
three years each, as probate judge of Fairfield 
County and for twenty-five years was a justice 
of the peace. In 1885 he moved to Lancas- 
ter, where his death occurred in 1908. He 
was a prominent man in many directions and 
his worth was acknowledged by his fellow citi- 
zens. For eight years he was deputy treas- 
urer of Fairfield County and served two terms 
as infirmary director. He was practically the 
originator of the movement which resultf.<l in 
the establishment of the Pleasantville and 
New Salem turnpike road, and was also one 
of the company that first started the drilling 
of gas wells. Judge Busby was a Jacksonian 
Democrat. He was a member and generous 
supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Lancaster. Of his children there are sur- 
vivors as follows: Clara C. who is the widow 
of James Robison. of Lancaster; Mary, who 
is the wife of James H. Smith, of Walnut 
Township; Samuel F., who is a resident of 
Cincinnati; Charles G. ; James W., who re- 
sides at North Baltimore, O. ; Susan, who lives 
at Lancaster; and Myrtie and Sadie, both of 
whom lives at Los Angeles. Calif. During the 
Civil War, Judge Busby was captain of a 
company of 100 men who went out to repel 
the invasion of Gen. Morgan, the raider. 

Charles G. Busby attended school through 



boyhood in Pleasant Township. later the Fair- 
field Union Academy at Pleasantville, and in 
1884 was graduated from the Zanesville Busi- 
ness College, at Zanesville, O. In addition to 
his pubic duties he has carried on farming and 
stock raising on his farm of 103 acres, which 
lies near and northeast of Lancaster, O. For 
many years also he has been special agent of 
the National Stockman and Farmer, of Pitts- 
burg, Pa., and has also been similarly asso- 
ciated with other leading agricultural journals. 
On January 20, 1885, Mr. Busby was mar- 
ried to Miss Ella L. Scott, who was born in 
Jefferson County, O., and is a daughter of 
Rev. T. H. Scott, a member of the Muskin- 
gum -Methodist Protestant Conference, and is 
the oldest member, being now in his ninety- 
third year. Mr. and Mrs. Busby have three 
children: Margaret B., Frank S. and Ruth S. 
Mr. Busby and family are members of the As- 
busy Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and fraternally is identi- 
fied with the Masons and the Knights of 
Pythias, both at Lancaster. 

WILLIAM DAVIDSON, a representative 
member of the Lancaster bar and an active, 
interested and useful citizen of Lancaster, C, 
was born at Newark, Licking County, O., 
F"ebruary 17, 1850, and is a son of Dr. An- 
drew and Sarah B. (Moody) David.son. 

Andrew Davidson was born near Blarney 
Castle, County Monagham, Ireland, and came 
to Canada when twelve years old. After 
three years he made his way to Fairfield 
County, O., and settled at Cedar Hill, in the 
western part of the county. He subsequently 
adopted the medical profession as his life 
work. After preparing with Dr. Boersther, 
Sr., he attended the Baltimore Medical Col- 
lege and practiced" until 1867. He afterward 
conducted a drug store for many years at Lan- 



486 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



caster, where he died at the age of eighty 
years. He was married at Newark, O., to Sa- 
rah B. Moody, a daughter of WilHam Moody 
and a sister of a well known Methodist 
preacher, Rev. Granville Moody. She died at 
the age of thirty-six years. 

William Davidson first attended the local 
schools in Fairfield County, later the Lancas- 
ter schools and subsequently Delaware Col- 
lege, where he was graduated in 1871. He 
then applied himself to the study of the law 
and in 1873 was admitted to the bar and has 
been in active practice in this city ever since. 

Mr. Davidson was married to Mrs. Mary 
(Miller) Wilson and they have one son, 
Henry Weaver Davidson, who was born 
February 10, 1895. I" politics, Mr. David- 
son is identified with the Republican party. 
He belongs to the Odd Fellows and the 
Royal Arcanum. 

DANIEL RIDENOUR, whose home farm 
of fifty-eight acres lies in Greenfield Town- 
ship, along the Carroll and Baltimore turnpike 
road, is engaged in farming and stockraising 
on this and also on his second farm, which is 
situated in Bloom Township, near Carroll, 
and which contains seventy-five acres. He 
was born September 15, 1870, in Good 
Hope Township, Hocking County, C, and 
is a son of Solomon and Phebe (Dupler) 
Ridenour. 

Solomon Ridenour was born in Hocking 
County, O., and died there in 1908. His 
father, William Ridenour, had been one of the 
early settlers in Good Hope Township and the 
family has long been a representative one of 
that section. Solomon Ridenour married 
Phebe Dupler, also born in Hocking County, 
and of their children the following survive : 
Sarah, who is the wife of Yearsley White, and 
lives at Marion, Ind. ; Daniel; Lucius W.. who 



lives in Hocking County; Ida, who is the wife 
of Judge John Stoughton, probate judge, and 
lives at Logan, O. ; and Boyd C, who is a 
resident of Rockbridge, O. The parents of 
the above mentioned family were members of 
the United Brethren church. The father 
was a lifelong Democrat. 

Daniel Ridenour was reared on his father's 
farm and obtained his education in the public 
schools of Good Hope Township. Trained 
from early youth in the various industries 
which make agriculture one of the most im- 
portant of all the occupations in which men 
engage, he has proved, in the management of 
his own lands, that his teaching was prac- 
tical and sufficient, and is numbered with 
the successful farmers and stockmen of the 
county. 

Mr. Ridenour was married September 15, 
1894 — in which year he settled on his present 
home fann — to Miss Ella Wilbert, a daughter 
of Jacob Wilbert, a well known resident of 
Greenfield Township, and they have three chil- 
dren — Florence, Bernice and Kenton F. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ridenour are members of the United 
Brethren church. Like his late father, he is 
identified with the Democratic party. 

WILLIAM T. McCLENAGHAN, for- 
merly prosecuting attorney of Fairfield 
County. O., for many ^^ears has been a leading 
member of the Lancaster bar. He was born 
September 17, 1835, in Richland Township, 
Fairfield County, and is a son of William and 
Mary E. (Ferguson) McClenaghan. 

William McClenaghan was of Scotch ex- 
traction but was born in Ireland, in 1835, and 
came to America in 1847, and settled in Lan- 
caster County, Pa. In 1854 he came to Fair- 
field County, 0., where he purchased land and 
during the remainder of his active life he fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. Although his 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



487 



early educational opportunities were meager 
in comparison with those of the present clay, 
he possessed the natural qualities which, with- 
out material assistance, de\elop men and make 
them leaders among their fellows. His con- 
victions of right and wrong were positive, 
his judgment of men and events was relied 
on by his neighbors, and local offices were 
tendered him on account of this public con- 
fidence. He served for six years on the 
board of county commissioners of Fairfield 
County, and performed every duty wiiich 
his public position demanded. He married 
Mary E. Ferguson, of Scotch extraction 
but who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1827. 
She survived until 1896. They reared the 
following children : William T., Mrs. 
Sophia Stevens, Airs. Catherine Swartz, 
Samuel H., Horace S. and Charles D. 

William T. McClenaghan was the only 
member of the alcove family to adopt a pro- 
fessional career but all his early life was 
passed on the farm. He attended the local 
schools and later Fairfield Academy and 
from there entered the University of Michi- 
gan, where he was graduated in 1880. 
Upon his return to Fairfield County he 
entered the law office of Hon. Charles 
D. Martin, with whom he continued 
until he was admitted to the bar in 
1 881, immediately afterward opening his own 
office at Lancaster, where he has been in prac- 
tice ever since. He was reared a Democrat 
and has loyally given support to the principles 
of this organization. Mr. McClenaghan has 
been prominently identified with public affairs 
in the county and has served acceptably in of- 
fice, being elected city solicitor of I^ncaster 
and remaining in this office for six years. In 
1895 he was elected prosecuting attorney of 
Fairfield County and was subsequently re- 
elected. He is recognized as a useful and rep- 



resentative citizen and one who has ever 
unselfishly worked for the best interests of 
his community. 

Mr. .McClenaghan was married in 1882, to 
-Miss Lottie Swartz, a daughter of Rev. A. 
Swartz, a well known minister in the Evan- 
gelical church. They have one son, William 
S., who is serving in the office of deputy 
county treasurer of Fairfield County. Wil- 
liam T. McClenaghan is identified frater- 
nally with the Odd Fellows and Knights of 
Pythias, while William S. is a member of 
the order of Elks. 

OZIAS M. KNODE was a well known 
and highh' respected citizen of Walnut 
Township, where he died January 9, 1900, 
his life having covered a period of eighty 
years. He was born February 28, 1820, at 
Sharpsburg, Md., and his parents were 
Jacob and Elizabeth (Hammond) Knode. 

Ozias M. Knode was left an orphan when 
young and was cared for by relatives. His 
uncle, Benjamin Yontz, visited Fairfield 
County at an early day and was so pleased 
with the prospect that he decided to make a 
second trip. He started on horseback, accom- 
panied by his nephew. Ozias M. Knode. on 
foot, with two split-nose bull dogs, and after- 
ward it was often told in the family that the 
boy on foot reached the proposed destination 
two days before the man on horseback. He 
settled with his uncle at New Salem and there 
followed the shoemaking trade until his mar- 
riage, when he came to the present farm, on 
which his wife was born. He operated it for 
several years and then worked at his trade in 
New Salem for two years, after which he re- 
turned to the farm and remained here during 
the rest of his life. 

Mr. Knode was married January 8, 1846, 
to Miss Sarah Harshbarger, who was born on 



488 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the present Knode farm, February 28, 1828, 
and has spent the larger part of her life 
here. She is a daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Valentine) Harshberger, the former 
of whom came to Fairfield County from 
Virginia with his parents, Abraham and 
Catherine Harshbarger in 1804. They 
acquired the whole of section 24, Walnut 
Township and were true pioneers. The 
mother of Mrs. Knode was born in 
Maryland and came to Fairfield County 
with her parents, George and Mary 
Valentine, in 1801. Grandfather Harshbarger 
left each of his five children a farm and the 
farm of Mrs. Knode was the one given her 
father. Originally there were 118 acres but 
eighteen have been sold but the other 100 
acres still remain and belong to Mrs. Knode. 
She had but one sister, Mary, who is now de- 
ceased. She was the wife of David Watson, 
who is also deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Knode a family of twelve 
children was born, namely: John, Jacob, Eliz- 
abeth, William, George, Anna, Ella, Frank, 
Mary, Sherman, Charles and David. Of the 
above, John, Frank and Sherman operate the 
farm for their mother, carrying on a general 
business in farming and stock raising. They 
are all members of the Odd Fellows, the Ma- 
sons and the Red Men and all belong to the 
Grange, being progressive and enterprising as 
well as thoroughly informed agriculturists. 
The three brothers are Democratic in their po- 
litical views. Two of the daughters, Anna 
and Mary, reside also with the mother : Jacob, 
the second son, died in 191 1. He married Ida 
Aires, who survives, with one son, Russell, 
and they live at Columbus. Elizabeth is the 
wife of John Hoover and they live at New 
Salem, O. They have four children : Ed- 
ward (married first Mamie Cult, secondly, 
Minnie Alspaugh) ; Florence (married Harry 



Stevenson and has two children — Dorothy 
and Hugh), Benjamin and Ina. William 
died in 1883. George has been twice mar- 
ried. His first wife, Ida Williams, left five 
children at death, as follows: May, who 
married Charles McClenigan and has six 
children — Cothran, Bryant, Mary Belle, 
Wendell, Neil and George; Olive, who 
married Frank Andrews, and has two 
children — Mary F. and Catherine; Ethel, 
who is the wife of George Meissie, and 
has three children — Harold, Catherine and 
an infant; Sarah, who is the wife of James 
Love, and has one child, Lucinda ; and Ida, 
who is the wife of William Crawford. George 
Knode married secondly Ella Raver, and 
they have two children, Joseph and John. 
Ella, the seventh member of the above fam- 
ily, is now deceased. She was the wife of 
Milton Jenkins and was survived by two 
children, Clara B. and Mary. Clara B. was 
married first to L. Tress, who, at death left 
one son, John. Her second marriage was 
to Arthur Delaskman. Charles Knode 
married Etta Berger and they had two 
children : Willis and Dewey. David 
Knode, the youngest of the family, married 
Edna Speaks. Mrs. Knode has seen many 
changes take place during her long life 
here and can tell many interesting stories of 
early days. Her memory is excellent and she 
can recall that in her childhood Indians fre- 
quently camped near the borders of her fath- 
er's fami. 

DAVID H. LEFFLER. general farmer in 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., 
where he owns a productive farm of eighty- 
five acres, has resided here since the fall of 
1907, but was born in Rush Creek Township, 
September 20, 1855, a son of George and Jus- 
tina (King) Leffier. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



489 



George Leffler was born in Perry County, 
O., a son of Peter Leffler, who had moved 
from Maryland to Fairfield County and lo- 
cated in Rush Creek Township. In 1859 
George Leffler and his family moved to Hock- 
ing County and settled in Good Hope Town- 
ship, and there both he and his wife died. They 
were highly respected people. The wife of 
George Leffler was born in Wiirtemberg, 
Germany. 

David H. LefHer grew to manhood in Good 
Hope Township and went to school there in 
his boyhood, beginning to work at farming as 
soon as his strength was equal to heavy tasks 
and farming has been his main occupation 
through life. 

Mr. Leffler was married in Hocking County 
to Miss Mary Everhart, who was born there, a 
daughter of George and Rose A. Everhart, 
former residents of Good Hope Township, of 
German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Leffler have 
one son, David C, who assists his father. Mr. 
Leffler is a practical, well informed man and 
performs every duty pertaining to good citi- 
zenship, but he has never identified himself 
with any political party, his preference being 
for perfect independence. 

HARVEY MARTIN SAMSON, M. D., 
physician and surgeon at Lancaster, O., with 
office at No. 107 W. Main Street, was born 
at Stockdale, Pike County, O., June 10, 1869, 
and is a son of E. V. and S. J. (Brown) Sam- 
son, of old Ohio stock. 

Harvey M. Samson was afforded excellent 
educational advantages. He passed creditably 
through the Waverly High School, at Wa- 
verly, O., and later attended the Baltimore 
Medical College and Johns Hopkins 
University, at Baltimore, Md., and still later 
attended the Chicago University, taking a 
post-graduate course in medicine in that in- 



stitution. In 1899 Dr. Samson established 
himself at Lancaster, where he has built up 
a large and substantial practice and has also 
become an interested and useful citizen. 
He keeps closely in touch with every 
advance made in medical science and is a 
member of the National, State and County 
medical societies and the American Medical 
Association. 

Dr. Samson married Mrs. Zenath (Musser) 
Leitnakcr, who was born at Thurston, Fair- 
field County, O. He casts his vote with the 
Republican party but takes no active part 
in public afifairs. 

WILLIAM WHITE, who resides on his 
excellent farm of si.xty-five acres, devoting it 
to general agriculture, is one of the represen- 
tative citizens of Greenfield Township, Fair- 
field County, O. He was bom in Good Hope 
Township, Hocking County, O., March 20, 
1859, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Ridenour) White. 

Robert White was born in Lancaster 
County, Pa., a son of William White, who 
was also born in Lancaster County, of Scotch- 
Irish parentage. During almost all of his 
active life Robert White was a man of impor- 
tance in Hocking County, where he still re- 
sides, being now in his seventy-sixth year, 
one of the venerable men of Falls Town- 
ship. For over twenty years he was treas- 
urer of Good Hope Township and was a 
trustee of the same for a long period. He 
has always been a stanch Democrat. He 
married Elizabeth Ridenour, who was born 
in Good Hope Township, a daughter of 
William Ridenour. who was a native of 
Germany. She died in November, 1907. 

William White obtained his schooling in 
Good Hope Township and resided in his na- 
tive county until March. 1886, when he came 



490 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, 
wiiere he has resided ever since. He has al- 
ways taken a deep interest in the public 
schools and for some years served as a 
director in School District No. 3, but other- 
wise has accepted no public office. He is a 
Democrat, having been reared in that party 
faith. 

Mr. White was married December 2"/, 
1882, to Miss Sarah E. Sheets, who was 
born in Good Hope Township, Hocking 
County, a daughter of William and Eliza- 
beth (Patterson) Sheets, both now de- 
ceased. Eight children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. White: Elizabeth B., Carrie, 
Homer, Clarence, Robert, Rose, Elmer and 
Florence. Elizabeth B. is the wife of 
Orville Sheets, of Grant County, 111. 
Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the 
United Brethren church at Carroll, which he 
is serving in the office of treasurer and is also 
superintendent of the Sunday-school. 

GEORGE CLEMENT MILLER, who 
has been a member of the bar of Lancaster, 
0., since 1897, is a representative citizen 
and lifelong resident of Fairfield County. 
He was born at Basil, November 28, 1863, 
and is a son of Samuel W. and Mary Ann 
(Goss) Miller. 

The parents of Mr. Miller were born in 
Fairfield County, O. In his early business 
days the father was a merchant but at the 
time of his death, in 1868, when aged 
forty-one years, he was a farmer. The 
mother survives and resides at Los Ange- 
les, Calif. George C. Miller is the third of 
their four children, the others being James 
W., Anna and Adeline, all residents of Los 
Angeles, in which city James W. Miller is 
an attorney at law. 

George Clement Miller attended school 



at Basil, C, where he prepared for college 
and then entered the Normal University at 
Lebanon, O. After leaving school at Leb- 
anon he taught school for five years in dif- 
ferent parts of Fairfield County. He then 
entered the law department of the Ohio 
State University at Columbus, Ohio. In 
1897 he was admitted to the bar and has 
been in active and continuous practice ever 
since. 

On October 29, 1902, Mr. Miller was 
married to Miss Mary Louise Beery, a 
daughter of Abraham and Louise (Bury) 
Beery, and they have one son, Donald 
Clement, who was born October 29, 1903. 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the 
First English Lutheran church of Lancas- 
ter. In politics he is Democratic in his 
views, and he has served two terms as clerk 
of the Board of Elections. He maintains 
his law office on the second floor of the 
Martens Building, Lancaster, where he has 
a fine law library. He is identified with 
Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 48, Knights of 
Pythias. 

JOHN T. GIBBONY, a veteran of the 
great Civil War and a well known and 
highly respected citizen of Greenfield 
Township, was born in this township, 
December 31, 1837, and is a son of Jones 
and Rachel (McCall) Gibbony. 

Jones Gibbony was born in Maryland, as 
was also his father, John Gibbony, the lat- 
ter of whom spent the larger part of his life 
in Virginia. Prior to his marriage, Jones 
Gibbony came to Fairfield County, O., 
where he became a man of consequence, 
serving many years as a justice of the peace 
in Greenfield Township, also as township 
trustee and in other positions of responsi- 
bility. He married Rachel McCall, who 




MR. AND MRS. ISAAC RIEGEL 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



493 



was born in Greenfield Township, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas McCall, who came as early 
as 1801 to this section. 

John'T. Gibbony grew up on his father's 
farm and learned farm work when the 
larger part of it had to be done by hand. 
At that time much of the farm machinery 
that now relieves the greatest toil, was 
scarcely thought of. In the second year of 
the Civil War, in May, 1862, he entered the 
Union Army, enlisting in Co. I, 90th O. 
Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army 
of the Cumberland and before he again saw 
his peaceful country home he had faced 
death on twenty-one battlefields, including 
Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, the siege 
and capture of Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Stone River, 
Nashville, Franklin and others, — names 
which stir the hearts of all who still re- 
member those terrible days of conflict on 
the field and of anxious waiting at home. 
In spite of all the dangers that he passed 
through, Mr. Gibbony survived to return 
home practically unharmed, being dis- 
charged in June, 1865, and resumed farm- 
ing in Fairfield County. Later he moved 
to Barton County, Mo., where he lived for 
several vears and then went to Kansas, 
spending thirteen years in the two States. 
In 1880 he once more became a resident of 
Fairfield County and ever since has lived 
on his valuable farm of 128 acres, situated 
in Greenfield Township. He is a valued 
member of Ezra Ricketts' Post, No. 246, 
G. A. R., at Lancaster. 

Mr. Gibbony was married in Missouri, 
March 21, 1875, to Miss Agnes Winebren- 
ner, who was born in Noble County, Ind., 
and ten children have been born to them, 
as follows: Rachel W., who is the wife of 
Frank Oatney, of Greenfield Township; 
Arthur G., who is a resident of Messina, 



N. Y., Morris J., who lives in Greenfield 
Township; Maud, who is the wife of Alva 
Fetherold, of Logan, O.; Stella, who is the 
wife of Harvey McClellan, of Lancaster; 
Alvin, Florin and Austin, all of Greenfield 
Township; and May E. and Leona, both of 
whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gibbony are members of the Lutheran 
church. In politics he is a Republican. 

ISAAC RIEGEL, who is one of Amanda 
Township's leading and substantial men, re- 
sides on his well improved farm of seventy- 
seven acres and is one of the large landown- 
ers of Fairfield County. He was born Jan- 
uary 10, 1842, on the farm in Amanda 
Township on which his brother, William 
Riegel now lives, and is a son of Jesse and 
Katie (Hoffert) Riegel. 

Jesse Riegel was born in Pennsylvania 
and was twenty-one years of age when he 
accompanied his father to Fairfield County, 
O. The latter settled on Turkey Run, 
Amanda Township, but four acres of his 
large estate being then cleared, which in- 
cluded what now composes six farms 
in this neighborhood, all of which he divided 
among his children. The latter were six in 
number and all are now deceased. Daniel 
lived in the nortliern part of Ohio; Jesse 
lived in Fairfield County; Solomon lived on 
Salt Creek; George lived in Amanda Town- 
ship; Mrs. Solomon Stout lived near Circle- 
ville; and Tillie married Erasmus Blue, of 
Amanda Township. Jesse Riegel lived for 
some years on the old homestead after mar- 
riage and then moved to Cedar Hill, where 
his death occurred, his burial being in Am- 
anda Township. He married Katie HofTert, 
who was born in Pennsylvania and who was 
a daughter of Isaac HofTert, who settled in 
lived in Missouri; Sarah, now deceased, was 



494 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Pickaway County. To them the following 
children were born : Josiah, now deceased, 
the wife of Mr. De Arman ; Katie married 
John Lawrence; Isaac is the subject of this 
sketch ; Julia Ann died when a young- girl ; 
George F. lives at Lancaster; Mary died 
young; and William remains on the old 
homestead. 

Isaac Riegel has been engaged in farming 
all his mature life. For two years alter 
marriage he lived in Pickaway County and 
then came to this farm, on which he has a 
big sugar camp. For a number of years 
after coming here he lived in a log house 
but when he decided to erect a new one he 
set about preparing his own designs and 
the result is a handsome residence that cost 
him $10,000. He has erected other sub- 
stantial farm buildings, from his own de- 
signs and he also designed the frame church 
building near his home. Undoubtedly had 
Mr. Riegel turned his attention to the study 
of architecture he would have met with pro- 
fessional success, having a natural talent in 
this direction. To his first purchase of 
land Mr. Riegel subsequently added the fol- 
lowing farms : twenty-seven acres of the 
McKinley farm, 201 acres of D. K. Keller- 
man's, thirty-one acres of Isabel Miller's, 
thirty acres of the Allen heirs' property, 
eighty acres of Ephraim Murray's, 209 acres 
of the Z. Glick estate, and two and one-half 
acres and a store property at Cedar Hill. 

Mr. Riegel married Miss Susanna Reed, 
a daughter of Benjamin and Lizzie Reed, 
and they have had the following children: 
Benjamin Franklin, who died when aged 
tVenty-four years; William, who died when 
aged twenty-two years; Charles, who died 
at the age of 30 years, married Leota 
Fogelsong and they had one son, Lee; Clin- 



ton H., who resides on a farm a half mile 
south, married Nora Ross and they have 
four children — Susie Aldenderfer, Bessie, 
Talmadge and Helen; Leafifa Annette, who 
is the wife of Lewis Campbell, residing in 
Washington Township across the Pick- 
away County line; Minnie D., who died in 
infancy ; Clay, who lives one mile east of 
the home farm, married Laura Aldenderfer 
and they have four children — lola, Chester, 
Lawrence and Mary; Jesse Catherine, who 
is the wife of Amos Waites, living one-half 
mile north of the homestead, and they have 
three children Mary, Charles and Clar- 
ence ; and Orley R. who lives on the Lan- 
caster road two miles to the northeast of 
the homestead, married Rebecca Frettin- 
ger, and they have four children — Harold, 
Dorothy, Clara and Turney. Mr. Riegel has 
the satisfaction of having his children set- 
tled near him and to see that all are pros- 
pering. He was married a second time, to 
Mrs. Almira (Davis) King, who was born 
in Hocking County, a daughter of William 
and Catherine (Dozer) Davis and a grand- 
daughter of Daniel Davis, a noted United 
Brethren preacher who came from Pennsyl- 
vania to Ohio to hold protracted meetings. 
Mrs. Riegel's first marriage was to Jesse 
Otterbein King. To the second marriage 
the following children have been born : Syl- 
vester Carl, who lives in Pickaway County, 
married Ola Clark and they have two 
daughters — Gladys Marie and Mildred 
Irene ; Wilbert Owen, who lives on the 
Kellerman farm, married Bessie Waites, 
and they have one daughter, Cora 
Esther; Flota, who is the wife of Ray Fos- 
naught, and they live on the Glick farm; 
Hazel, who died at the age of twenty years; 
Ray, who is employed near Ashville ; Roy- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



495 



who is at home; Floyd, who died at the 
age of sixteen years; and Ruth, who lives 
with her parents. 

Since early boyhood Mr. Riegel has 
been active in church work, the family hav- 
ing been members of the Evangelical body 
since the days of his grandfather, when the 
Evangelical Association camp meetings 
were held on his land. Mr. Riegel became 
a class leader when but nineteen years of 
age and continued as such for forty-five 
years and is still a steward and trustee of 
the church. In National politics he is a 
Republican but uses his own judgment in 
local elections. 

HARRY D. WORK was born February 5. 
1853. His father, Joseph Work, came from 
Ireland to the United States in 1820. Harry 
was the eldest son, by Joseph Work's second 
wife, Maria Dusenbery Work. At the age 
of si.xteen Harry entered into partnership 
with Mrs. John Sears, in the carriage busi- 
ness; they continued together until 1886 
when Mr. Work sold his interest and began 
traveling for the Capitol City Carriage Co. 
In June, 1889, he was married to Miss Fan- 
nie V. W'right, eldest daughter of Judge 
Silas H. Wright. Mr. Work was a man of 
sterling worth and irreproachable character, 
honorable and upright in all his dealings. 
He was also of a bright and kindly nature, 
that made him in social and domestic life, a 
model of unselfish thoughtfulness, and con- 
sideration for others. 

Sir Philip Sidney's definition of a gentle- 
man "High erect thoughts, seated in a heart 
of courtesy." might well be applied to him. 
He possessed keen Irish wit and c]uiet hu- 
mor' in a marked degree. Mr. Work was 
fond of all kinds of out of doors pleasures 
and particularly hunting, it was from con- 



tmuous exposure, while indulging in this 
sport that he contracted sciatica, from which 
he suffered for several years, before his 
death — at which time and for several years 
previous, Work & Bro. had carried on suc- 
cessfully, the plumbing business, which 
was then new in Lancaster. Mr. Work died 
January 6, 1900. He left one son, Rodger 
M. Work. 

WILLIAM W. BOPE, building con- 
tractor and farmer in Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., owns 124 acres of 
well improved land, situated on the Balti- 
more and Thurston turnpike road, about 
one-half mile west of Thurston, and belongs 
to one of the old pioneer families of this 
section. He was born September 23, 1849, 
and is a son of Jacob Bope and a grandson 
of Abraham Bope. 

Abraham Bope came to Ohio from 
Rockingham County, Va., making a pros- 
pecting trip on horseback before he came 
with his family to locate permanently. In 
those days it required considerable courage 
to start out almost unprotected into an un- 
known expanse of prairie and forest. In 
the present day of rapid and easy transpor- 
tation a journey from one coast to the other 
does not seem a formidable undertaking, 
but when the Bope family came into what 
was then the tangled wilderness of Fair- 
field County, it was after weary weeks of 
travel in tlie primitive conveyances of that 
time and even after they had reached Lan- 
caster, then a settlement of but two cabins, 
they were obliged to cut their way through 
to Pleasant Township, where their selected 
tract of land lay. This was in December, 
1S02, winter had already fallen on the for- 
ests and they had no opportunity to make 
more than a temporary shelter. Probably 



496 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



from their Indian neighbors the family 
learned how to construct a tent of brush- 
wood, with a fallen tree as a background, 
in which the winter was spent. This rude 
and insufficient shelter they located near a 
spring or lick and when deer came to slake 
their thirst, Abraham Bope made use of his 
trusty rifle and thus provided the family 
with meat. In the spring a cabin was built 
and land cleared but the trials of the first 
winter were never forgotten. The wife of 
Abraham Bope was as hardy as himself 
and when she was sixty-seven years of age, 
carried her butter and eggs six miles to 
Lancaster to market them. Five sons and 
one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Bope. The parents died on the old farm, 
which is the Freeman place, in Pleasant 
Township, and their burial was in the 
Ziegler graveyard. 

Jacob Bope was two years old when his 
parents came to Fairfield County and he 
spent the rest of his life in this state, dying 
in 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years. 
He grew up on the pioneer farm and later 
bought and then sold it, but devoted the 
larger part of his life to carpentering and 
building. As a builder he became known 
all over the county and with his large force 
of men erected fifty-two churches in addi- 
tion to public and private buildings. He 
also made furniture and engaged in under- 
taking, making more than 800 coffins, 
many of them being constructed of walnut 
and all being made by hand. He was 
thrice married, first to a Miss Boory, sec- 
ondly to Maria A. Essex, and thirdly to 
Christina Dahn. The first union resulted 
in the birth of nine children — Philemon, 
Sarah A., Maria, Amos, Jacob, Caroline, 
Victorine, Perry F., and Perry M. — four of 
whom yet survive, namely: Sarah A., 
Amos, Victorine and Perry M. Four chil- 



dren were born to the second marriage — 
William W., James, Lorenzo A., deceased, 
and Naomi. To the third marriage five 
children were born: Christina, Mildred, 
August, Frank and Mary M. The last 
named is deceased. Mrs. Bope still sur- 
vives. 

William W. Bope spent his boyhood on 
the old home farm and went to the district 
schools in the winter time. He was not 
yet very old when he began to assist his 
father in the carpenter shop and gradually 
developed so much aptness that his father 
took him as an apprentice and taught him 
the principles of the trade and he completed 
his apprenticeship with the firm of Vorris 
Bros., at Lancaster, with whom he re- 
mained for thirteen years. He moved then 
to his present farm and for a long time fur- 
nished railroad ties for the T. & O. C. Rail- 
road from here to Toledo, and the Scioto 
Valley Railroad from Portsmouth to Iron- 
ton. Mr. Bope then went into building con- 
tracting and along this line is probably as 
well known throughout Fairfield County as 
any other man. Among the many substan- 
tial buildings that he has erected have been 
fifty schoolhouses, the last one being the 
handsome High School building at Lan- 
caster, which was a $45,000 contract. He 
also built forty of the attractive railroad 
stations along the line of the T. & O. C. 
Railroad. His work is distinctive in char- 
acter, substantial, and perfectly adapted to 
the purpose for which it is constructed. 

On September 25, 1870, Mr. Bope was 
married to Miss Virginia Lamb, who was 
born and reared on the present farm. Her 
father was the late John Lamb, who was 
an early settler in this section. To this 
marriage eleven children have been born, 
namely: Minna, Herbert, Edgar, Oscar, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



497 



Nettie, Mabel, William, Oliver, Frances, 
Edna and Neola, all of whom survive with 
the exception of Nettie. Mr. Bope is a well 
informed citizen. He has been too busy a 
man to be very active in politics but be- 
lieves in the principles of the Republican 
party. He is an Odd Fellow and belongs to 
the lodge at Lancaster. 

PHILIP J. O. KEMMERER, general man- 
ager of the Carroll Telephone Company, at 
Carroll, O., is one of the prominent and en- 
terprising business men of Greenfield Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, where he is interested 
in the saw-mill industry and owns an im- 
proved farm of 165 acres. He was born in 
the above township, April 5, 1854, and is a 
son of Philip and Mary M. (Zeigler) Kem- 
merer. 

Philip Kenimerer was born in Lehigh 
County, Pa., where the early Kemmerers had 
settled when they came from Germany, and 
there he grew to manhood and then came to 
Fairfield County and shortly afterward was 
married to Mary M. Zeigler. She belonged to 
an old and wealthy family of Pleasant Town- 
ship, her grandfather having come from Ger- 
many to Fairfield County where he entered 
640 acres from the Government. Philip 
Kemmerer died when his son, Philip J. O., 
was a child of six years. The latter has one 
sister, Minnie J., who is the wife of Joseph 
Yencer, of Basil, O. 

Philip J. O. Kemmerer attended school in 
District No. i, Greenfield Township and early 
commenced his business activities. Broad- 
minded and public spirited he early became in- 
terested in the telephone business and was one 
of the promoters of the Carroll Telephone 
Company which was organized in 1905, 
since which time he has been its president. 
His interest in other public spirited ways 



has been noted and it was mainly through 
his efforts that the rural free delivery mail 
route No. 2, was founded, the convenience 
and advantages of which can scarcely be 
over-rated by his fellow citizens in Green- 
field Township. 

Mr. Kemmerer was married to Miss Cora 
A. Weasner, a daughter of John and Rebecca 
Weasner, of Liberty Township. While not a 
member of any religious body, Mr. Kemmerer 
is a liberal contributor to all worthy causes 
and is generous in his support of the Zeigler 
Church in Pleasant Township. He belongs 
to the Odd Fellows at Baltimore, O., and 
the Red Men at Amanda. 

AUSTIN LEE GUTHRIE, M. D., who 
has been established in the practice of medi- 
cine, at Lancaster, O., since January, 1909, 
has proved a worthy addition to a very able 
body of professional men whose home is this 
pleasant city. He was born January 14, 1883, 
at Higginsport, Brown County, O., and is a 
son of Dr. D. S. and Lou E. (Daugherty) 
Guthrie. 

Dr. D. S. Guthrie was born in Warren 
County, O., and died in 1897, at the age of 
seventy years, having been for forty consecu- 
tive years a medical practitioner. To his first 
marriage four sons and two daughters were 
born and two of the sons survive. His second 
marriage was to Miss Lou E. Daugherty, who 
resides at Lancaster with their only son, Aus- 
tin Lee. 

Austin Lee Guthrie attended the public 
schools at Mt. Oreb, O., from which he en- 
tered Antioch College. In 1904 he graduated 
from the academic department of the Univer- 
sitv of Cincinnati and in 1907, from the med- 
ical department of the same institution. Dur- 
ing 1907 and 1908 he occupied the position of 
house surgeon in the Cincinnati Hospital. Dr. 



498 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Guthrie then came to Lancaster and opened 
his office in the Kirn Building and through 
professional ability has built vip an excellent 
practice, limited to diseases of the eye, ear, 
nose and throat. He has made a specialty of 
these branches of his profession, and keeps 
fully abreast, through literature and study, 
with all the advances made in medical science. 
He is a member of the Fairfield County Medi- 
cal Society, the Lancaster Medical Research 
Club, the Ohio State Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association. In 1905 Dr. 
Guthrie married Miss Ida M. Hamilton, a 
daughter of James and Mary Hamilton, of 
Dayton, O. He is identified with the Elks. 

GEORGE W. FROMM, owner of fifty- 
nine and one-half acres of fine farming land 
lying in Section 29, Walnut Township, Fair- 
field County, O.. is one of the well known and 
representative citizens of this part of the 
county. He was born on his father's farm in 
Perry County, O., September 6, 1841, and is a 
son of John and Mary (Feller) Fromm. 

John Fromm was born in Center County, 
Pa., and died in Perry County, O., in April, 
1891, at the age of seventy-one years. Hjs 
parents were Frederick and Mary (Klingler) 
Fromm, who came to Ohio when he was one 
year old and settled in Perry County, where 
both died. They had seven children : John, 
Fred, Samuel, Emeline, Catherine, Peggy and 
Polly, all of whom are now deceased. John 
Fromm followed farming all his life. He was 
married first to Mary Feller and secondly to 
Catherine Winegardner. His eleven children 
were born to his first marriage, namely: La- 
vina, David, George W., Martha (was one of 
twins, one of whom died in infancy), John, 
Mary, William, Levi, Hannah and Mandelia. 

George W. Fromm grew to manhood on 



his father's place in Perry County and con- 
tinued to live in that county until 1880, when 
he came to Faiifield County and for nine years 
afterward lived on a rented farm near Canal 
Winchester. He then bought his present farm 
from Charles Lamb, finding it in much need 
of improvement. He not only has enriched 
the soil but has erected new and substantial 
buildings and is successfully carrying on gen- 
eral farming, raising also enough stock for his 
own use. 

On February 5, 1865, Mr. Fromm was 
married to Miss Mary Stickel, one of a fam- 
ily of thirteen children of Daniel and Cather- 
ine (Staffenger) Stickel. They came from 
Germany and at first lived at Washington, D. 
C, and then moved to Virginia. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fromm have had six children, namely: 
Leroy, who died when aged twenty-one 
years ; Harry, who married Juliet Kenny 
and has three children — Clarence, Harold 
and Margaret; Charles, now deceased, who 
married Jennie Edwards; Zoe, who is the 
wife of William Friesner of Pleasant Town- 
ship, and has three children — Frances, 
Pearl and Claude ; Arthur, who died at the 
age of nineteen years; and Emma, who 
died when aged four years. Mr. Fromm 
and family are members of the Reformed 
church. In politics he is a Democrat and 
fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging 
to both the subordinate lodge and Encamp- 
ment at Pleasantville. 

JOHN SMALLWOOD, a highly re- 
spected citizen of Greenfield Township, 
Fairfield County, O., and a veteran of the 
great Civil War, was born in Morgan 
County, O., in December, 1845, ^ son of 
John E. Smallwood, who was born in Vir- 
ginia but spent many years of his life in 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



499 



Morgan and Muskingum Counties, O. He 
served as a soldier in the Civil War. His 
death occurred in his eighty-seventh j'ear. 

John Smallvvood of Greenfield Township, 
iiad comparatively few advantages in his 
youth. When the Civil War broke out he 
decided to enter the army for the preser- 
vation of the Union, and in the fall of 1861 
enlisted in Co. I, 65th O. Vol. Inf., which 
became a part of the 4th Army Corps but 
later was consolidated with the 14th Army 
Corps, the division commander being Gen. 
Thomas Woods. Mr. Smallwood took 
part in the battles of Stone River, Mission- 
ary Ridge, Chickamauga and many others 
and in innumerable skirmishes, but sur- 
vived through three years and fifteen days 
without serious injury, and after his hon- 
orable discharge returned to Muskingum 
County. About twenty-five years ago he 
settled on his present farm in Greenfield 
Township and has lived in Fairfield County 
almost the entire time since the close of 
the war, four years having been spent in 
Cherokee County, Kansas. 

Mr. Smallwood was married first to Miss 
Matilda Garrett, and she left two children : 
Maggie, who is now deceased ; and Ber- 
tha L., who is the wife of Lincoln Miller 
of Zanesville. Mr. Smallwood's second 
marriage was to Mrs. Margaret Wasum, 
widow of Charles W^asum, formerly of 
Fairfield County. They are members of 
the Greenfield Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Smallwood is a member of the G. A. R. 
Post at Carroll, O. 

THURMAN T. COURTRIGHT. pros- 
ecuting attorney of Fairfield County, O., and 
a leading member of the Lancaster bar, is a 
native of Fairfield County, born October 16, 
1873. He is one of a family of seven chil- 



dren born to his parents, who were Thomas 
H. and Minerva Courtright, farming people, 
the former of whom was born in Fairfield 
County in 1842. 

Thurman T. Courtright was educated in the 
public schools and after passing through the 
high school entered upon the study of law in 
the office of Judge John G. Reeves. At a 
later date, Mr. Courtright attended the Ohio 
State University and was admitted to the bar 
in 1900, after which he taught school for one 
year, beginning the practice of his profession 
at Lancaster, in 1902. There are certain 
elevated and responsible offices in the legal 
profession that probably every ambitious 
young lawyer desires to fill, but few attain to 
the dignity of prosecuting attorney in so short 
a time as did Mr. Courtright, his election to 
this office taking place in 1908 and his assump- 
tion of its duties in January, 1909. He has 
proved a very acceptable and able attorney and 
has become popular with the people of Fair- 
field County irrespective of party affiliation, on 
account of his vigorous and capable adminis- 
tration of his office. He is a leading factor 
in Democratic politics in this section. He is 
identified with both the Masonic and 
Knights of Pythias fraternities, belongs to 
the Royal Arch Chapter in the former, and 
is captain of the Uniform rank in the latter. 
Mr. Courtright was married to Miss Hazel 
K. Richards, a daughter of John A. Richards, 
of Lancaster, O., and their attractive home is 
situated at No. 429 E. King Street. Lancaster. 
They are members of the Presbyterian church. 

FRANKLIN P. SHERRICK, who owns 
a fine farm of 158 acres, situated in Green- 
field Township, near Carroll, was born in 
Berne Township. Fairfield County. Decem- 
ber 31, 1856. and is a son of Samuel and 
Annie (Nye) Sherrick. 



500 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Samuel Sherrick was a son of John Sher- 
rick, who was one of the early settlers in 
Berne Township. Samuel Sherrick spent 
his long life of seventy years here and was 
a leading citizen. He was elected town- 
ship treasurer and also was township trus- 
tee and in every public office he held proved 
his integrity and public spirit. He was a 
pillar of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
a regular attendant and a liberal supporter 
of all its religious work. He married 
Annie Nye and of their children the fol- 
lowing are living: Sarah E., who is the 
wife of S. P. Seifert, of Bremen, O. ; John, 
who lives at Lancaster; Franklin P.; Wil- 
liam J., who is a resident of North Berne ; 
and Simon L., who resides at Lancaster. 

Franklin P. Sherrick obtained a district 
school education in Berne Township and 
afterward worked on the home farm. In 
1894 he came to his present place in Green- 
field Township and here carries on gen- 
eral farming and stock raising bearing the 
reputation of being one of the most success- 
ful agriculturists of the township. In poli- 
tics he is a Democrat but is no seeker for 
ofifice, his own business and his family, to- 
gether with his ordinary duties as a citizen, 
sufificently taking up his time. 

On February 12, 1891, Mr. Sherrick was 
married to Miss Mary E. Emde, a native 
of Berne Township, and a daughter of the 
late Lewis Emde, a shoemaker and general 
merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Sherrick have six 
children, namely: Robert L., Goldie M., 
Florence M., Frank, Carrie and Edith. Mr. 
Sherrick and family attend the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

DAVID MILTON KNODE, who is 
part owner of the old Knode farm, a fine 
property of 100 acres which lies in Wal- 



nut Township, Fairfield County, O., resides 
at New Salem, O., where he successfully 
conducts a general blacksmith's business. 
He was born in Walnut Township, Novem- 
ber ^y, 1869, and is a son of Ozias and 
Sarah Knode. 

David M. Knode spent his early life on 
the home farm and attended the Walnut 
Township schools. After the death of his 
older brother, William Knode, he managed 
the farm until 1893, when he went to Bal- 
timore, O., and there remained one year in 
the blacksmith shop of his brother-in-law, 
the late Milton Jenkins. He then returned 
to the farm for another year, after which, 
with John Johnson, he engaged for a short 
time in business at New Salem. In 1895, 
in partnership with B. F. Andrews, he 
started a blacksmith business at New 
Salem, and they continued together for a 
time, when Mr. Knode became sole owner. 
In 1900 he purchased his present location 
from John Johnson, a building on a lot with 
dimensions of 28.x;i30 feet. Here he carries 
on all kinds of general repair and black- 
smith work, making a specialty of horse 
shoeing. He is a well known citizen and 
can generally be found at his place of busi- 
ness. In politics he is a Democrat and is a 
member of the Democratic Central Com- 
mittee. 

Mr. Knode was married October 15, 
1893, to Miss Edna Speaks, a daughter of 
Butler and Helen (Crow) Speaks. They 
attend the Presbyterian church. He is 
identified with the order of Maccabees at 
New Salem. 

GEORGE WALTER ROLLER, M.D., 
who, for 13 years has been engaged in the 
practice of medicine at Lancaster, O., and 
is numbered with the representative citi- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



501 



zens of this place, was born in Loudoun 
County, Va., February 21, i860, and is a 
son of George H. and Caroline R. (At- 
wood) Roller. 

Dr. Roller is of German ancestry on the 
paternal side, although several generations 
removed from the immigrant ancestor of 
the family, as his grandfather, Frederick 
Roller, was born in Pennsylvania in 1790, 
and died in Loudoun County, Va., aged 
eighty-five years. The name of his wife 
was Rachel and she died in 1872, aged 
seventy-three years. She was Frederick 
Roller's third wife. On the maternal side 
the grandfather of Dr. Roller was William 
Atwood, who was born in 1788 and died 
on his farm in Maryland, in 1853. His wife 
was named Priscilla and she died in 1878, 
aged eighty-seven years. Late in i860 
George H. Roller moved with his family 
from Virginia to near Zanesville, O., and 
in this state followed his trade — that of 
stone-cutter — during the rest of his active 
life, dying at New Concord, Muskingum 
County, January 31, 191 1, at the age of 
eighty-two years. His widow survives, 
being now in her 80th year. She is a de- 
vout member of the Baptist church, to 
which her husband also belonged. Four 
children composed their family, namely: 
William Franklin, who is in the real estate 
and insurance business at Norman, Okla. 
and who married Maggie Clapper; 
Florence E., who is the wife of Thomas 
McCourt, of Spencer, Medina County: 
Howard, who died when aged two years; 
and George Walter, who is the second born 
of the family. 

George Walter Roller was reared near 
Zanesville, O. He was educated in the 
public schools and at Dennison University 
and for thirteen years was engaged in the 
profession of teaching. He then entered 



the Keokuk Medical College at Keokuk, 
la., where he was graduated with the class 
of 1891. Dr. Roller spent his first five years 
of practice in New Concord, Muskingum 
County, O., going then to Jacksontown, in 
Licking County, where he resided for three 
years, and coming to Lancaster in 1898. 

Dr. Roller was married first to Miss 
Annie Steers, in 1883, who died three years 
later, being survived by one daughter, 
Mabel M. She is the wife of Warren B. 
Baughman, editor and proprietor of the 
New Concord Enterprise, and is a very 
talented and capable woman. Dr. Roller 
was married secondly in 1892, to Miss Clara 
Fleming, a daughter of William and Mary 
Fleming, of Newark, O., and they have one 
son, D wight E., who was born in 1901, 
and is a bright student in the city schools. 
Dr. and Mrs. Roller are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. In politics 
he is a Republican and fraternally is con- 
nected with Newark Lodge No. 13, 
Knights of Pythias. Formerly he took con- 
siderable interest in the Fairfield County 
Medical Society. He resides at No. 215 
N. Columbus Street, Lancaster, and main- 
tains his office there. 

BENJAMIN F. COFFMAN. a respected 
and substantial retired farmer who has resided 
at Carroll, O., since 1907, still retains the 
ownership of his excellent farm of 160 acres, 
which is situated in Bloom Township, Fair- 
field County, O. He was born in Bloom 
Township, November 4, 1842, and is a son of 
Samuel and Jane (Allen) Coffman. 

Samuel Cof?man was born in Virginia, a 
son of John CofTman, who was born in 
Rockingham County, Va., of German 
parents, and was an early settler in Fair- 
field County and owned a farm in Berne 
Township. Samuel CofTman carried on 



502 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



farming for many years in Greenfield town- 
ship, in which he was a justice of the peace 
and for a number of years was a trustee of 
Bloom Township. Early in his political life 
he was a Whig but later became a Republi- 
can and at all times was a worthy 
and honest man. During his later years 
he was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. He married Jane Allen, who 
was born in Franklin County, Pa., and of their 
children seven survive, namely: Henry, of 
Bloom Township; Benjamin F. ; Louisa, wife 
of David Hummel, of Pulaski County, Ind. ; 
Laura, wife of Nathan Rawn, of Pulaski 
Coimty; Jesse, a farmer in Pulaski County; 
Lafayette, a resident of Greenfield Township; 
and Ida. widow of Wilbur Eldridge, residing 
at Chicago, 111. 

Benjamin F. Coffman attended the district 
schools near his father's farm and assisted in 
caring for the land and stock, preparing for 
his future posssession of farming land of his 
own. He was nineteen years of age when the 
President of the LTnited States sent forth his 
call for defenders of the Union and he was one 
who responded, enlisting in June, 1861, in the 
1st O. Vol. Inf., which became a part of the 
Army of the Cumberland. Before Mr. Coff- 
man again took up peaceful pursuits he had 
passed through many terrible battles and had 
covered hundreds of miles on foot in the 
marches which took the long line of soldiery 
from one State to another. He participated 
in the memorable battles of Munfordsville, 
Stone River, Bowling Green, Pittsburg Land- 
ing, Huntsville, Murfreesboro, luka, Corinth, 
Perryville, Bridgeport, Shelbyville, Chatta- 
nooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Taze- 
well, Buzzard's Roost, Altoona Pass, Picket 
Mills, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Chat- 
tahoochie River and Siege of Atlanta, these 
not including minor engagements. He was 
fortunate in escaping injury as he was ever a 



brave and daring soldier. His honorable dis- 
charge came in August, 1864, when he re- 
turned to Fairfield County. He then became 
proprietor of Spring Grove nursery located in 
Bloom Township, which he owned and man- 
aged untl 1874, this being the first nursery in 
Central Ohio, his father having established 
it in 1845 and conducted it until his son, 
Benjamin F., became proprietor. 

Mr. Coffman was married December 29, 
1869, to Miss Rebecca Halderman, of Hock- 
ing Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of 
George and Eliza (Williamson) Halderman, 
the former of whom was born in Lancaster 
County, Pa., and the latter in Rockingham 
County, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Coffman have 
had four children: Arthur A., residing in 
Bloom Township; Ralph W., also in Bloom 
Township; Zaidee B., wife of Harry Brandt 
of Carroll, C, and one who died in infancy. 
Mr. Coffman is a Republican and he belongs 
to Ezra B. Ricketts Post No. 246, G. A. R., at 
Carroll, of which he has been commander for 
two years. This post was organized in 1882, 
the first in Fairfield County. He was one of 
the promoters and organizers of the Farmers 
and Merchants Bank Company, an important 
financial institution at Carroll, and is still in- 
terested therein. 

MICHAEL C. SOLIDAY, whose 400 
acres of rich farming land lie in Walnut 
Township, Fairfield County, O., all in one tract 
with the exception of eighty acres, and has 
been a retired resident of Thurston, O., since 
1908, having turned over his farm responsibil- 
ities in large measure to his son. He is a 
member of one of the old county families 
and was born at Basil, O., February 2. 1854, 
and is a son of John Adam Soliday and a 
grandson of Frederick Soliday. 

Frederick Soliday. the grandfather, was a 
Pennsylvania pioneer, of German extraction 




y. 

X. 










AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



505 



and possibly was born in Germany. He was 
one of the earliest settlers in the southeastern 
corner of W^alnut Township. He died at 
Newark, Ohio, and was survived by a 
family. One son, John Adams Soliday, 
after attending the old Greenfield Academy, 
studied medicine, became a physiican and 
engaged in practice at Basil. He died in 
1865, at Goldsboro, N. C., while serving in 
the Federal Army. His widow survived 
him five years. She was Elizabeth Hunt- 
work, who was born, reared and married in 
Liberty Township, Fairfield County, a 
daughter of Michael and Mary (Fairchilds) 
Huntwork, old settlers. Five children 
were born to Dr. Soliday and wife, namely: 
Frank, who is deceased; Michael C. ; Mary, 
who is the wife of Jacob Sieckman; Charles, 
who is deceased; and Cora, now deceased, 
who was the wife of Emanuel Miller. 

Michael C. Soliday was young when his 
father died and he went to the home of his 
grandmother and at the age of eleven years 
was bound out to his uncle, Henry Huntwork, 
with whom he remained until he was twenty- 
one, according to'the contract. For two more 
years he worked on farms by the month, when 
he married and for five years afterward lived 
on his mother-in-law's farm. His wife then 
sold her interest in that property and he then 
bought 127 acres in Walnut Township, which 
he farmed profitably and continued to add to 
the original purchase until it aggregated 400 
acres. In the meanwhile he had done much 
improving and erected all the substantial build- 
ings now on the property. In addition to 
general farming, Mr. Soliday engaged in team- 
ing in the gas fields and had other interests, 
to all of which he devoted many years of at- 
tention and hard work. 

On December 21, 1876, Mr. Soliday was 
married to Miss Matilda Fenstermaker, a 



daughter of George VV. and Rachel (Fair- 
child) Fenstermaker. The father of Mrs. 
Soliday was born in Fairfield County, a son 
of \\ illiam Fenstermaker, who was a native 
of Pennsylvania. The latter came to Fairfield 
County in early manhood and secured land in 
Section 31, Liberty Township, north of Car- 
roll. O., although at that time dense forests 
co\ered all that section. He married a Miss 
Mineheart and they died about 1845, leaving 
a large family, two of whom survive: Julia, 
who lives in Rochester, Ind.. and Catherine, 
residing at Findlay, O. George \V. Fenster- 
maker succeeded his father on the home farm 
and lived there until his death, in 1854, when 
aged thirty-three years. He married 
Rachel Fairchild, a daughter of William 
Fairchild, who came also from Pennsyl- 
vania. Mrs. Fenstermaker died in 1884, 
aged si.xty-seven years. They had five chil- 
dren, Mrs. Soliday, being the youngest. 
Samantha, the eldest, wife of Daniel 
Struckman ; James; Calista, wife of Joseph 
Wilshire, living on the old Fenstermaker 
farm ; and Fairchilds, who is deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Soliday have one son. Harry 
Lawrence. He married Ina Courtright and 
they have three children — Lawrence Michael, 
E. Emmerson and Junius. Mr. Soliday and 
son are Democrats. 

FRANK PIERCE MILLER, who is one 
of Walnut Township's leading citizens and 
substantial agriculturists, resides on his 
highly improved farm of 255 acres, which is 
situated in Section 18, his land being well 
adapted to farming and stock raising and 
also valuable in gas production, four wells 
being situated on the place. He was born 
July 23, 1852, on his grandfather's farm in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., 
the only one of his parents' children born in 



506 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



this state, being a son of John Q. and EHza- 
beth (Hiestand) Miller. 

John Q. Miller was born in Pleasant 
Township, Fairfield County, December 21, 
1826, a son of Christian and Martha (Strawn) 
Miller, both of whom were natives of Vir- 
ginia and undoubtedly of German-English an- 
cestry. By trade Christian Miller was a wagon- 
maker and he continued to work as such, 
although he bought a farm in Pleasant 
Township after coming to Fairfield County. 
He was a man of very practical ideas and 
a judicious father. He had six sons and he 
required them to work on the farm until 
they were eighteen years of age and then 
to learn a trade, leaving the choice to them, 
and thus each one was equipped in youth 
with the means of earning a livelihood out- 
side of farming, which all, however, fol- 
lowed to some extent. Both Christian Mil- 
ler and his wife died in Fairfield County, 
the latter passing away suddenly while on 
the way home from church. They had eight 
children, namely : Enos, who learned the 
wagon-making trade ; George, who became 
a saddler; Elisha, who learned the business 
of a tanner; Samuel, who became an expert 
blacksmith; Anna, who married Benjamin 
Macklin ; John Q ; Rebecca, who married 
Benjamin Rudesell ; and Lewis, who learned 
the tanning business. All are now de- 
ceased, the last one of the family passing 
away when John Q. Miller died at his home 
in Indiana, August 21, 191 1, aged eighty- 
five years. Until he was eighteen years of 
age he assisted on the home farm in Pleas- 
ant Township and then, according to his 
father's wise dictum, started to learn the 
trade of blacksmith, under his brother Sam- 
uel, and followed this excellent trade for 
thirty-five years, working for two years 
with an expert blacksmith at Findlay, C, 



where he bought his anvil and full kit of 
tools. These implements of his trade are- 
still in the possession of his son, Frank P., 
who values them as heirlooms. John Q. 
Miller then carried on a blacksmith business 
in a shop on his father's farm for three 
years. He was married when twenty-six 
years old to Miss Elizabeth Hiestand. She 
was born in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, O., a daughter of David Hiestand 
and a granddaughter of Joseph Hiestand, 
the latter being a native of Germany. He 
married a Miss Shaffer whose father was 
an early settler in Fairfield County, where he 
entered a whole section of land. The country 
was a wilderness at that time and he killed 
a bear on the site of the old court house at 
Lancaster, which was then only an Indian 
village. 

Several months after his marriage, John 
Q. Miller moved to Indiana and took pos- 
session of a farm that David Hiestand had 
entered there in 1830, which he gave to Mr. 
Miller and wife on condition that he would 
improve it. He made a wagon trip to the 
land and made some improvements there 
and then returned to Ohio and in the fol- 
low November started by wagon again with 
his wife and infant son, Frank Pierce, for 
the new home in the Indiana forest. Here, 
through hard work, he cleared and devel- 
oped a farm. He built a house and stable 
of logs and also erected a blacksmith shop 
and continued to live on the place during 
the rest of his life. His first wife died there 
in 1884, aged fifty-four years. In 1889 he 
married Miss Alice White, a native of In- 
diana, who is still living. His children were 
all born to his first marriage, eight in num- 
ber and all in Indiana except the eldest, 
Franklin Pierce. Ada, the second born, is 
the wife of James Thompson and they live 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



507 



in Carroll County, Ind. David lives in Can- 
ada. Catherine is the wife of George Shig- 
ley, of Carroll County, Ind. Amelia, now- 
deceased, was the wife of G. W. Gwinn. 
Walter lives at Indianapolis, Ind. Christian 
makes liis home in Colorado. Viola, tlie 
youngest, married Rev. David Rodgers and 
lived in Indiana; she died in January, igi2. 
Franklin Pierce Miller remained at home 
until he was twenty years of age, assisting 
his father during the summer seasons and 
attending district school mainly in the win- 
ters. He then entered college at Battle 
Ground, Ind., so named in commemoration 
of the battle fought there in 1811, by Gen- 
eral Harrison's forces when they were lured 
into an Indian ambush. There are yet to 
be seen twenty-six graves of those who fell 
there ninety-one years ago. After he com- 
pleted his college course Mr. Miller taught 
school in Carroll County, Ind., for seven 
winters and followed farming in the sum- 
mer. Afterwards he bought his grand- 
mother's farm in Indiana, containing seven- 
ty-five acres, and lived with her for seven 
years, retaining this property until 1909, 
when he sold it to advantage. In 1886 he 
moved back to Ohio and bought seventy- 
five acres of his present farm in Walnut 
Township, Fairfield County, from his sister- 
in-law, Rebecca Turner, which, together 
with eighty adjacent acres belonging to his 
wife, made a fine body of land to operate. 
Still later he purchased the additional 100 
acres adjoining his other land, ail of which 
he makes productive according to its soil 
and situation. He found reasonably sub- 
stantial buildings on the place but soon de- 
cided to erect a more modern dwelling and 
it was completed in 1905, with the comforts 
and conveniences which make life easier in 



both town and country than it was when 
he was a boy. He is a stockholder in sev- 
eral financial institutions, including the 
Baltimore Bank, at Baltimore, O., and the 
First National Bank at Lancaster, O. In 
his political attitude he has always been a 
Democrat and at times has consented to 
serve in township offices. In January, 191 1, 
he was appointed a member of the school 
board of Walnut Township. 

On October 14, 1880, Mr. Miller was mar- 
ried to Miss Susan C. Wagner, who is a 
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Wagner, 
both of whom are now deceased. They 
were born in Walnut Township, to which 
section their parents had come in pioneer 
days. Eight children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller, six sons and two 
daughters, namely: Earl H., Frank C, 
John Q., Dottie, Ralph W., and Walter L., 
and two that died in infancy. Dottie is the 
wife of Ernest A. Lamb and they reside 
in Walnut Township, living near enough 
to Mrs. Lamb's parents to be neighborly. 
Mr. Miller and his family are members of 
the United Brethern church, in which he is 
an ofificial. For many years he has been 
identified with the Masonic fraternity and 
for seven consecutive years was master of 
the Masonic lodge at Baltimore, O., having 
served longer in that capacity than any 
other member of the body. In all that is 
of importance in his section Mr. Miller is 
interested, his fellow citizens in general hav- 
ing high regard for his judgment. 

F. S. CARNES. whose valuable farm of 
100 acres is situated in Greenfield Town- 
ship, is a resident of Carroll, O., but still 
carries on his agricultural operations and 
is serving in his second term as a trustee 



508 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



of Greenfield Township. He was born in 
this township, May 6, 1862, and is a son of 
John and Eliza (Havens) Carnes. 

John Carnes was born in Fairfield 
County, 0., and was a son of Robert 
Carnes, who was an early settler in the 
county, at one time owning land near Lan- 
caster. John Carnes married Eliza 
Havens, who was also born in Fairfield 
County, a daughter of Nathaniel Havens, 
who came to this section with other early 
settlers. Of the children of John and Eliza 
Carnes the following survive : Isaac N., a 
resident of Baltimore, O. ; Catherine, wife 
of Charles Bright of Findlay, C; Louisa, 
wife of Homer Grable, of Licking County, 
O. ; John W., of Carroll, O. ; Mary, wife of 
A. L. Miller, of Greenfield Township; and 
Frank S., of Carroll, O. 

Frank S. Carnes was reared in his native 
section and attended the public schools of 
Greenfield Township and Carroll, after 
which he conducted a meat market at Car- 
roll for four years but otherwise his time 
has been given to general farming and 
stockraising. He has a well improved farm 
which is very productive through the 
thorough cultivation he has given it. 

Mr. Carnes married Miss Catherine C. 
Wilbert, who was born in Greenfield Town- 
ship like himself, and is a daughter of 
Jacob and Mary (Hufiford) Wilbert, the 
former of whom is one of the octogenarians 
of Greenfield Township, the latter being 
deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Carnes four 
children have been born: Wilber H., resid- 
ing in Greenfield Township; Edith G., wife 
of Oscar D. Alspauch, living in Bloom 
Township; and Mary E. and Charles J., 
both residing at home. Mr. Carnes and 
family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church at Carroll, of which he has 
been a trustee. He has also served on the 



school board and as a councilman in Car- 
roll village and has held other offices, be- 
ing elected on the Republican ticket. 

REV. JEROME BAPTIST MAT- 
TINGLY, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, at Lancaster, O., took charge of 
this parish in February, 1906, being reluct- 
antly released from his parish at Logan, 
Hocking County. Rev. Father Mattingly 
was born in Muskingum Township, 
Muskingum County, O., February 16, i860, 
and is a son of Christopher and Teresa 
(Durbin) Mattingly, who were the parents 
of four other children. 

The early ancestors of Father Mattingly, 
came to America in the wake of Lord Bal- 
■ timore and with the Gillespies, the Durbins, 
the Suttons, the Sapps and others, dis- 
tributed themselves first in Maryland and 
later through adjacent sections, one branch 
of the family coming to Muskingum 
County, O. Although largely agricultural, 
the family also has contributed to the pro- 
fessions and the church. 

In boyhood, Jerome B. Mattingly at- 
tended the district schools in his native 
township. When he reached the proper 
age he became a willing student at St. Vin- 
cent College, Pa., conducted by the Bene- 
dictine Fathers, where he displayed great 
aptitude for study and won many prizes 
during his classical and philosophical 
courses. In 1887 he entered St. Mary's 
Theological Seminary at Baltimore, Md., 
where he completed his course and on 
August 15, 1890, was ordained to the priest- 
hood, by Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson. 

Father Mattingly has always been a hard 
worker, gaining this reputation at school 
and college and sustaining it in every posi- 
tion he has filled. A ready speaker and a 
convincing theologian, not the least of his 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



509 



duties has been the explaining of Catholic 
doctrine and the strengthening of the 
bonds of faith in neglected regions. From 
1891 until 1893, his work was largely mis- 
sionary, serving also some half dozen 
churches. In the latter year Bishop Wat- 
terson desired him to take charge of the 
parish at Athens, O., and eleven fruitful 
years were spent there, which included the 
building of church and pastoral residence, 
together with serving churches at Galli- 
polis, Canaanville, Zaleski, McArthur Junc- 
tion, St. John's and Lodi. The volume of 
work demanded the exercise of all his 
energies, taxing both body and mind, but 
he passed safely through all difficulties and 
when he was called to another field, he left 
behind comforting evidences of what he 
had accomplished. From October, 1904, 
until January, 1906, he served the church at 
Logan and there so endeared himself to 
the people that they were loath to part 
with him when he was appointed to St. 
Mary's, the oldest church and one of the 
most important in Fairfield County. 
Father Mattingly has 600 families under 
his pastoral charge and there are 400 pupils 
in the church school, the teachers in which 
are eleven Dominican Sisters. Father 
Mattingly has two assistants, Rev. Joseph 
F. Dooley and Rev. Chas. L. Walsh. In 
addition to his other duties and responsi- 
bilities. Father Mattingly has charge of the 
Boys' Industrial School, at Lancaster. 

WILLIAM T. KEMP, who is associated 
with his brother, George W. Kemp in the 
ownership and operation of a farm of 152)^ 
acres, situated in Sections 20 and 21. Wal- 
nut Township, Fairfield County, O., is one 
of the leading men of this section and a 
lifelong resident of Fairfield County. He 
was born on his father's farm in Hocking 
Township, June I, 1858, and is a son of 



William T. and a grandson of Henry 
Kemp. 

Henry Kemp was born in Pennsylvania 
and came to Ohio at an early day, locating 
in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, 
where he spent his subsequent life, dying 
on his farm in 1868. He had the following 
children: Mary, deceased, who was the 
wife of J. Walters, also deceased; Eliza- 
beth, deceased, who was the wife of George 
Williamson, also deceased; Sallie Ann who 
married a Courtright and is deceased; 
John, who is deceased; and William T., the 
youngest of the family. 

William T. Kemp, Sr., grew to manhood 
on the home farm and became a farmer and 
stock man and on many occasions drove 
stock over the mountains to eastern 
markets. He lived only into early middle 
life, dying in i860. He married Elizabeth 
Ingman, who was born in Hocking Town- 
ship and died June 18, 191 1. She remained 
a widow for some years and then married 
Joseph Gundy, who died July 7, 1893. 
They had one child, Asher. Three children 
were born to her first marriage : Felix, 
George W. and William Talbert, the eldest 
born dying when aged fourteen years. 

William Talbert Kemp was a child when 
he lost his father and was reared to the age 
of twelve years on his grandfather Ing- 
man's farm. He then went with his 
mother and step-father to the latter's farm 
in Greenfield Township, on which he 
worked until he was 28 years of age. On 
March 2, 1887, he moved on his present 
farm which he and brother had bought 
from William Bush and on which they suc- 
cessfully carry on general farming and 
stock raising. 

On February 17, 1887, Mr. Kemp was 
married to Miss Mary E. Griffith, who was 
born in Amanda Township, Fairfield 



510 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



County, a daughter of William and Ada- 
line (Gundy) Griffith. The father of Mrs. 
Kemp was born in Amanda and the mother 
in Greenfield Township and both were 
members of large families, the father one 
of eleven and the mother one of twelve 
children. Mrs. Kemp was the eldest born 
of five children, the others being: Grant, 
who works the home farm ; Frank, who re- 
sides at Portland, Ore. ; Charles, who is a 
physician at Laporte, Tex. ; and Pearl, who 
lives with his mother. In politics William 
T. Kemp is a Republican ; he is quite promi- 
nent in township afTairs and has served as 
treasurer of Walnut Township. Both he 
and brother are men of high standing and 
are numbered with the representative men 
of this section. 



cultural pursuits. Since 1900 he has been 
engaged in his present enterprise at Car- 
roll, and for several years he has also been 
a member of the firm of King & Gundy, 
grain dealers at Lockville, O. Mr. Gundy 
is a self made man and the success which 
has attended his business undertakings has 
been the result of his own energy and good 
judgment. 

Mr. Gundy was married to Miss Jessie 
Wilson, of Fairfield County, and they have 
two children, Cora F. and Isaac N. Mr. 
Gundy has always been an active citizen 
and his sterling qualities have been fre- 
quently recognized by his fellow citizens, 
who have elected him to offices of trust and 
responsibility. At present he is serving as 
a member of the town council. 



JOSEPH P. GUNDY, proprietor of the 
Carroll Mills, at Carroll, O., manufacturer 
of high grade fiour and all kinds of feed, 
and dealer in grain, baled hay, straw, coal, 
posts and tile, has been identified with this 
business for the past eleven years, and is a 
prominent citizen of Greenfield Township, 
of which he is treasurer and is now serving 
in his second term. Mr. Gundy was born 
in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, 
O., December 5, 1867, and is a son of Isaac 
and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Gundy. 

Isaac Gundy was born also in Greenfield 
Township, a son of Joseph Gundy, who 
was a pioneer here. For some years Isaac 
Gundy was in partnership with Joseph P. 
Gundy in the ownership and operation of 
the Carroll Mills, and during this time the 
firm name was Gundy & Son. Subse- 
quently Isaac Gundy withdrew. 

Joseph P. Gundy was reared in Green- 
field Township, where he attended school 
in boyhood, and afterward engaged in agri- 



IRVIN BOYER, county recorder of 
Fairfield County, O., has been a lifelong 
resident of this county and for many years 
has been an active and influential citizen in 
public affairs. He was born in Violet 
Township, April 12, 1855, and is a son of 
Beinville and Delina (Messmore) Boyer. 

Beinville Boyer was born in Violet 
Township, Fairfield County, in 1833, and 
still lives on the same farm. His parents, 
Irvin and Mary (Carty) Boyer, came to 
Fairfield County from Pennsylvania, the 
old home of the Boyers being at McKeans- 
burg, in Schuylkill County. Beinville 
Boyer married Delina Messmore, who died 
in 1888. Her people came to Ohio from 
Berks County, Pa. Four children were 
born to the above marriage : a son who died 
unnamed; Irvin; Lizzie, who is the widow 
of A. J. Dunlap, and resides with her 
father; and Alice, now deceased, who was 
the wife of M. M. Warner, also now de- 
ceased. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



511 



Irvin Boyer obtained his education in the 
public schools of his native county and then 
became a clerk in a store at Lockville for 
a time. From early manhood he has taken 
an interest in politics and at times was 
elected to township offices and has served 
as justice of the peace and as assessor. At 
the general election in November, 1910, 
he was elected county recorder and his 
service in this office has been very satisfac- 
tory. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to 
Pickerington Lodge, No. 709, and he gives 
support to the German Reformed church, 
in which he was reared. 

JACOB WILBERT, who is one of the 
well known and highly respected citizens 
of Greenfield Township, where he has suc- 
cessfully engaged in farming for many 
years, owns eighty-seven acres of valuable 
land which he devotes to general agricult- 
ure. He was born May 19, 1830, in Prus- 
sia, Germany, and is a son of Valentine and 
Elizabeth (Kling) Wilbert. 

In 1835 the parents of Mr. Wilbert left 
Prussia, having made up their minds to 
seek a new home in America. They safely 
crossed the Atlantic Ocean and came di- 
rectly to Ohio, stopping for a short time 
at Lancaster, living for a few months in 
Hocking County, but locating permanently 
in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, 
where they spent the rest of their lives. 
Five of their children still live: Jacob: 
Martin L., residing at San Francisco; Fred- 
erick, also living in California; Peter, resid- 
ing at Hayward, Calif. ; and Mary A., wife 
of William Lake, living at Kankakee, 111. 

Jacob Wlbert had few educational oppor- 
tunities in his youth but had a wise father 
and good mother and was reared to habits 
of industry. Farming has been his busi- 
ness all his life and during his active years 



he was a hard worker and successful 
farmer. In January, 1854, he married Miss 
Mary A. Hutiford, who was born in Hock- 
ing County a daughter of David HufTord, 
who was an early settler there. Mrs. Wil- 
bert died in August, 1910, after a happy 
married life of over a half century. She 
was an estimable woman in every relation 
of life, a helpful and affectionate wife, a 
careful and devoted mother, a kind neigh- 
bor and a worthy member of the United 
Brethren church. She was beloved by all 
who knew her and Mr. Wilbert's bereave- 
ment was heavy. Of their nine children 
six are living, namely: David H., of Fort 
Wayne, Ind. ; Sarah E., wife of Anthony 
Bender, of Carroll, O. ; Catherine, wife of 
Frank S. Carnes, of Greenfield Township; 
Ellen, wife of Daniel Ridenour, of the same 
township; Effie, wife of Frank Cofifman, of 
Bloom Township; and William W., resid- 
ing at Lake View, Logan County, O. Mr. 
Wilber is a member of the United Breth- 
ren church at Carroll, and was a liberal con- 
tributor to the building of the present 
edifice, and has served as trustee, steward 
and class leader. He is a Prohibitionist. 

HAMILTON ELDER, who is one of 
the well known citizens and representative 
men of Walnut Township, lives on his well 
improved farm of 140 acres, which lies in 
Section 23, and owns also a farm of forty 
acres situated in Reding Township, Perry 
County, O. Mr. Elder was born January 
12, 1835, in the first hewn log house that 
was ever built in Reding Township, it 
standing on his father's farm, and is a son 
of William and Anna (Vanatta) Elder. 

William Elder was born in Frederick 
County, Md., where he was given educa- 
tional advantages, became a school teacher 
and in that capacity came to Perry County. 



512 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



There he married Anna Vanatta, who was 
born in New Jersey and had accompanied 
her parents to Perry County in childhood. 
Her father, John Vanatta was a very early 
settler in Reding Township and built the 
first frame barn there. William Elder died 
in his eighty-eighth year and his wife when 
aged eighty-three years. He acquired and 
cleared the forty-acre farm in Reding 
Township which his son Hamilton now 
owns. Seven children were born to Wil- 
liam Elder and wife, namely: McKindery; 
Matilda, who married Henry Swinehart; 
Maria, who married Morris Howler; 
Jeanette; Hamilton; Mary, who is the wife 
of James Haines and resides in Illinois ; and 
Charles, who was a soldier in the Civil 
War. The only survivors of the above fam- 
ily are Hamilton and Mary. 

Hamilton Elder grew to manhood on the 
home farm and assisted his father in clear- 
ing and cultivating it. He obtained his edu- 
cation in a subscription school, attending 
three months each winter until he was fif- 
teen years of age. In addition to farm work 
he found employment with the contractors 
then building the three lines of railroad 
through Perry County. In looking about 
for an opportunity to better his prospects 
he was offered a position by Charles Ford- 
man, who was a sheep grower in Fairfield 
County, and came here in 1855 and re- 
mained with that employer for two years. 
In the fall of 1857 he married and then 
rented the old Friend farm in Pleasant 
Township, a tract of 200 acres, on which he 
lived for the next fourteen years. Mr. 
Elder then bought 120 acres of his present 
Walnut Township farm, from John Hill, 
being in partnership at this time with his 
father-in-law, William Palmer. Later, Mr. 
Elder bought eighty acres of the Noah 
McKnight farm. The first residence was 



burned down but in 1904 Mr. Elder erected 
the present comfortable and commodious 
house and has made many other improve- 
ments on the place, having put up all the 
substantial farm structures. He carries on 
general farming. Mr. Elder is recognized 
as one of the good citizens of his section, 
one whose influence has always been di- 
rected to the preservation of law and order. 
He votes with the Prohibition party and at 
one time was its candidate for the office of 
couny treasurer. 

Mr. Elder was married in November, 
1857, to Miss Elizabeth Palmer, a daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret Palmer, and 
they have had sixteen children born to 
them. Of those that reached maturity, the 
following is a record in order of birth : 
The eldest, Benjamin Franklin, was a well 
known teacher for a number of years in 
Walnut Township, and married Martha 
Friend. Margaret Ann was the second 
born. Sarah Louisa is the widow of James 
Smith. Charles married Elsie Barker. 
William Henry, who died at the age of 29 
years, is survived by his widow, Mrs. Alice 
(Griggs) Elder. Edward Clancy, who has 
been a successful teacher, married Dollie 
Gerhart. Owen Tunis, formerly a school 
teacher, married Elizabeth Buxton. Co- 
riena E. is the wife of Robert Love. 
Homer and Milton are twins; the former 
married Arie Bowman and the latter Nellie 
Dupler. Mary Jane is the wife of Harvey 
Lee Warner. Roy Porter, who formerly 
taught school, is now a physician at Colum- 
bus. There are twenty-seven grandchil- 
dren in the family, some of these who have 
married, having children of their own. Mr. 
and Mrs. Elder have great reason to be 
proud of such numerous and vigorous de- 
scendants, a marked characteristic of whom 
has been mental capacity, few families in 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



513 



the county having produced a larger num- 
ber of successful teachers. Mr. Elder 
united with the Methodist Episcopal church 
in his seventeenth year and his wife in her 
sixteenth and they have reared their chil- 
dren in this religious body. 

FRANKLIN P. STUKEY, M. D., physi- 



he began teaching school in order to pro- 
vide for his own further educational advan- 
tages. Independence is dear to every right 
minded youth and by teaching eight winter 
terms, Mr. Stukey was able to pass eight 
summer terms in the National Normal 
School at Lebanon, O., and later to begin 
the study of medicine. He was prepared 
cian and surgeon at Lancaster, O., and also for college by Dr. Scoville, of Lebanon, O., 
a manufacturer of his own patented inven- and in 1881 he located at Lancaster, after 
tions, is classed with the representative men graduating with credit from the Kentucky 
of this city, being not only successful but School of Medicine, at Louisville. Dr. 
enterprising and progressive beyond the Stukey has been in the enjoyment of a large 
ordinary. He was born on his father's and lucrative practice for many years. For 
farm in Fairfield County, O., February 10, a decade he has also been interested in 



1853, and is a son of John and Mary Ann 
(Friesner) Stukey. 

John Stukey was born in Pennsylvania, 
a son of Samuel and Mary (Freeman) 



manufacturing a number of useful and 
novel articles of his own invention for 
which he built a malleable iron plant at 
Lancaster. His many interests have so 



Stukey, who came to Fairfield County in absorbed him that he has never taken a 
1828, securing 117 acres of land. John very active stand in local politics but he ex- 
Stukey followed agricultural pursuits an<l ercises every right of good citizenship and 



became a man of much consequence in his 
neighborhood on account of his sterling 
character, which was recognized by his fel- 
low citizens. He taught school acceptably 
in early manhood and never lost his interest 



never shirks its responsibilities. He has 
served professionally in public capacities 
and has often given time, money and serv- 
ice to the cause of charity. 

Dr. Stukey was married in 1882 to Miss 



in the cause of education, ever lending his Mary E. Schwenke, who belongs to a well 

influence to promote it in his neighborhood, known German pioneer family of Fairfield 

until the close of his life. For twenty-one County, and they have had three children, 

continuous years he served in the office of Dr. Stukey is identified fraternally with a 

justice of the peace and in his official as in number of organizations and politically, 

his personal life, was an upright man. John with the Democratic party. 
Stukey married Mary Ann Friesner, who 

was born in 1821 in Fairfield County, a CHARLES CHRISTIAN MILLER, Ph.D. 
daughter of a pioneer settler of Berne ex-President of Lima College, at Lima, 
Township. John Stukey and wife lived into Ohio, ex-commissioner of the common schools 
honored old age and are survived by their of Ohio, and a distinguished institute in- 
family of sons, all of whom have become structor and lecturer, has been intimately as- 
men of substance and honorable standing, sociated with the educational interests of his 
Franklin P. Stukey was reared on the native State almost from boyhood. He was 
home farm and attended the district schools born November 26, 1856, at Baltimore, Fair- 
until seventeen years of age, at which time field County. Ohio, and is a son of Enos 



514 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Strawn Miller, who was a representative busi- 
ness citizen of that county. 

Dr. Miller's early educational training was 
secured in the common schools, and the Balti- 
more high school, from which he entered 
Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville, 
Ohio, where he was graduated in 1876 
Prior to this, however, he had taught school, 
being but 16 years old when he obtained 
his first certificate. As he was mainly de- 
pendent upon his own resources, he again 
began to teach ; in the first place, in order to 
procure the means with which he could secure 
collegiate advantages, and in the second, be- 
cause his natural inclinations and evident tal- 
ents lay in this direction. In the spring of 
1877 he became a student at the Ohio State 
University, and in 1883 he was graduated from 
this institution with the coveted degree of 
A. B. During a portion of his university ca- 
reer, he was instructor in Latin and Greek. He 
enjoys the distinction of being the first gradu- 
ate of the Ohio State University appointed a 
member of the board of trustees of that insti- 
tution. On June 16, 1903, Ohio University, 
at Athens, Ohio, conferred upon him the de- 
gree of Doctor of Philosophy. 

Recognizing very early in his career the 
call of his nature in the direction of educa- 
tional work. Dr. Miller bent every energy to 
advance himself along this line of endeavor, 
meeting with public recognition and substan- 
tial promotion, while still in early manhood. 
He continued to teach from 1874 until 1884, 
when not a student himself, his schools being 
located at Rushville, Pleasantville and Eaton, 
Ohio. In the latter year he was appointed su- 
perintendent of the schools at Eaton, where 
he continued in this position until 1886, when 
he accepted a similar one at Ottawa, for a 
period of four years, going then to Sandusky, 
and in 1892 to Hamilton, each change being 



to his material benefit and professional ad- 
vancement. In order to accept the responsi- 
ble position of superintendent of the city 
schools at Hamilton, Dr. Miller was obliged to 
resign his office of State commissioner of 
common schools, to which he had been ap- 
pointed in 1891 by Gov. James E. Campbell. 
In 1 90 1 he was again called to public office, 
being appointed State school examiner for a 
term of live years. 

In 1S95 Dr. Miller went to Lima to assume 
the superintendency of the public schools of 
that city, and during his incumbency of 10 
years he succeeded in advancing their educa- 
tional standard to a point which could not 
help reflecting the greatest credit upon his in- 
tellectual abilities and executive qualities. In 
1898 he spent the entire summer in post grad- 
uate work in Chicago University. To the 
regret of his fellow-citizens, Dr. Miller re- 
signed his superintendency of the Lima 
schools at the close of the school year in June, 
1905, to accept the presidency of Lima Col- 
lege, which had been tendered him. 

In 1908 he resigned the presidency of Lima 
College, and made a visit to Europe for study 
and recreation. Returning, he engaged for a 
time in lecture work for the Redpath Bureau, 
and was, for nearly a year a post-graduate 
student in Columbia University. He is at the 
present time Deputy State Commissioner of 
Common Schools of Ohio. 

In addition to the above enumerated hon- 
orable and responsible positions efficiently 
filled by Dr. Miller, he has served as county 
school examiner in Preble, Putnam, Butler 
and Allen counties and as city school examiner 
of the cities of Sandusky, Hamilton and 
Lima. 

For a number of years he has also been 
prominently identified with institute work, his 
field of labor extending over Ohio, Indiana 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



515 



and Pennsylvania. As an interesting and ef- 
fective lecturer. Dr. Miller has few equals. 
The barest theme, taken up by Dr. Miller and 
clothed in his beautiful and appropriate lan- 
guage and presented with his oratorical abil- 
ity, becomes a subject of ever recurring in- 
terest to his auditors. His gifts as a lecturer 
are such as to cause his favorable comparison 
with other notables in the field. 

Dr. Miller was married, in 1891, to Nellie 
Cornell Wilbur, who was bom in New York. 
The domestic circle includes two sons and a 
daughter, installed in a beautiful home at 
Lima, where, when not absent professionally. 
Dr. Miller enjoys the resources of an extensive 
library and, on occasion, dispenses hospital- 
ity to a large social circle. He is a member of 
numerous educational organizations, both lo- 
cal and national, and belongs to the fraternal 
orders of Masons and Knights of Pythias. 
He is a man of striking personality, gifted 
both in mind and person. He possesses the 
courtesy that invites confidence, the geniality 
which attracts friends and the dignity which 
belongs to the eminent position in the educa- 
tional world to W'hich his own abilities have 
advanced him. 

Dr. Miller is the editor of the historical de- 
partment of this work. His portrait appears 
as the frontispiece of this work. 

JACOB CLAYPOOL, a well known citi- 
zen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, O., belongs to a large and substan- 
tial family of this section and was born here 
Augxist 26, 1846, and is a son of Isaac and 
Nancy (Meason) Claypool. 

The pioneer of the Claypool family in 
Fairfield County, was Jacob Claypool, who 
was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1775 
and with his family came to Ohio in 181 1. 
His first marriage was to Margaret Baker, 



who died in 1828, and his second wife was 
a Mrs. Neal, a native of Ross County, O. 
Prior to 1805, the Claypool property had 
been occupied by squatters, but in that year 
Jacob Claypool had purchased the land 
which has been more or less retained ever 
since by his descendants. He was a land 
surveyor for some twenty years and also 
was interested in farming and banking as 
well as politics. When the Lancaster Bank 
was organized in 1816 he was one of its di- 
recting board. In the same year he was 
elected first to the Ohio Legislature, to 
which he was thrice reelected — in 1818 
and 1822 to the lower House and in 1824 to 
the upper House. He raised stock and cat- 
tie and was one of the earliest men to recog- 
nize the value of raising cattle for the east- 
ern markets. He was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and was liberal 
In his benefactions. 

Isaac Claypool was born in Fairfield 
County, O., June 21, 1821 and was afforded 
excellent educational advantages, attending 
Greenfield Academy, a noted institution in 
its day in Fairfield County. His life was 
spent on the homestead farm and was 
largely devoted to general agriculture and 
to handling cattle. In his younger days 
he frequently accompanied his father when 
the former traveled to Baltimore, Philadel- 
phia and other eastern cities to dispose of 
his stock. To his inheritance of 200 acres 
of land he added until he had 600 acres, and 
through fine cultivating and improving it 
became one of the best tracts of land in 
Fairfield County. He was never active in 
the political arena, as was his father, but 
voted the Republican ticket and represented 
the best citizenship of his community. His 
death occurred on his birthday June 21, 
1902. On August 17, 1843, he married 



516 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Nancy Meason, who was born in 1821 and 
died in 1855. He was married second to 
Sarah A. Pierce, who was born in New 
Hampshire in 1836 and died in 1893, and 
his third marriage was to Annie E. Cos- 
grove, who was born in Pennsylvania in 
1843 and died in 1898. Of his three mar- 
riages there are five survivors, namely: 
Jacob; James B., residing in Hocking 
Township; Frank P., residing in Green- 
field Township; John R., living at Lancas- 
ter, O. ; Emma E., the widow of Alexander 
McCowan, living at Lancaster; and Ada, 
now Mrs. Albert Ceighton, living at New- 
ark, O. 

Jacob Claypool was reared in Greenfield 
Township and was educated in the public 
schools and at Greenfield and Pleasantville 
Academies. He resides on his excellent 
farm of 155 acres and is interested in farm- 
ing and stockraising. 

Mr. Claypool was married first to Tru- 
phenia Weist, and they had four children, 
the three survivors being: Stella, living at 
Lancaster, C; Maud, wife of Milton 
Strode, living in Hocking Township; and 
Florence, wife of Lewis Marks, living at 
Lancaster, O. Mr. Claypool was married 
secondly to Miss Mary McLardy, of Ross 
County, O. In 1890 Mr. Claypool was 
chosen by the Republican party as its can- 
didate for county commissioner of Fair- 
field County and lacked but few votes, com- 
paratively speaking, of being elected, his 
personal popularity coming very near to 
overcoming the normal Democratic ma- 
jority. He has served nine consecutive 
years as township trustee and eight years 
as a director of the Fairfield Agricultural 
Society, of which he was president for two 
years. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
church in Greenfield Township and is one 
of the church trustees. 



There are many interesting circum- 
stances connected with the earlier history 
of the Claypool family. One of its early 
members, James Claypool, who was a resi- 
dent of Waldrum Park, Northamptonshire, 
England, was of such importance in the 
kingdom that he was granted a coat of 
arms. John Claypool married Elizabeth, 
the favorite daughter of Oliver Cromwell. 
James Claypool, a brother of John Clay- 
pool, and Norton Claypool, both came to 
America and the former was a witness to 
the signing of the charter of Pennsylvania, 
by William Penn. 

JAMES ROBERT SCHOPP, county 
surveyor of Fairfield County, O., is an en- 
terprising and educated young man who 
possesses all the active business qualities 
with which the modern young American is 
justly credited. He was born November 6, 
1884, at Blossburg, Pa., and is a son of 
Adam and Margaret A. (Hutchinson) 
Schopp. 

The father of Mr. Schopp was born in 
Germany and came to the United States 
when seventeen years of age, where he 
learned the barber's trade and here enlisted 
for service in the Civil war. In 1890 he 
came with his family to Fairfield County 
where he resided during the remainder of 
his life, dying in 1910, at the age of sixty- 
three years. His widow and both their 
two children survive — James Robert and 
Mary L. 

James Robert Schopp attended the public 
schools of Lancaster and was graduated 
from the High School. He afterward spent 
four years of study in the Ohio State 
University at Columbus, where he was 
graduated a civil engineer in the class of 
1908. He found work in his profession and 
took every opportunity of perfecting his 




ALONZO PAREISH 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



519 



technical knowledge by practice and his 
ability became so well recognized that in 
November, 1910, he was elected county sur- 
veyor. Politically Mr. Schopp is a Demo- 
crat. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 
48, Knights of Pythias, and he has never 
lost interest in his college fraternity so- 
ciety, the Phi-Delta-Theta, of which he was 
a popular member. He was reared in the 
Presbyterian church. 

A. L. MILLER, who has been a resident 
of Greenfield Township, since 1888, owns 
a valuable farm there containing seventy- 
seven acres,, and is also engaged in busi- 
ness at Carroll, O., as a member of the 
undertaking firm of Bishop & Miller. He 
was born January 14, 1864, in Hocking 
County, O., a son of Isaac D. and Elizabeth 
(Lecron) Miller. 

Isaac D. Miller was born in Fairfield 
County, O., but his wife was a native of 
Hocking County and after marriage they 
passed the larger part of their lives in the 
latter county. The paternal grandfather, 
John D. Miller was one of the early settlers 
of Bremen, O., and was of German extrac- 
tion. 

A. L. Miller attended school in Hocking 
County and has always resided in Ohio and 
is well known in both Hocking and Fair- 
field Counties. He belongs to the Patrons 
of Husbandry. Although he is independent 
in politics, his standing as a valuable citi- 
zen has been recognized by his fellow 
citizens in general and he now fills the office 
of assessor of Carroll Precinct, and has 
proved acceptable in other local positions. 
Mr. Miller married Miss Mollie J. Carnes, 
of Greenfield Township, and they have two 
children, Willard C. and Mary F. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Carroll. 



ALONZO PARRISH, a member of the 
board of county commissioners of Fairfield 
County, O., and the owner of a valuable 
farm of 78 acres situated in Walnut Town- 
ship, is one of the representative men of 
this section. He was born July 27, 1853, 
on his father's farm in Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., and is one of a family 
of five children born to his parents, who 
were Louis and Margaret (Coflfman) Par- 
rish, both of whom are now deceased. 

Alonzo Parrish was reared and educated 
in his native township and has made farm- 
ing his main business in life. He has con- 
tinued to operate his farm of 78 acres, de- 
voting it to general farming and stock- 
raising. Since early manhood he has been 
interested in public aflfairs and has been 
more or less a leader in Democratic councils 
in this section. He was first elected a 
county commissioner in 1908 and was re- 
elected in November, 1910. He has served 
also in other offices and has been a trustee 
of Walnut Township. 

Mr. Parrish married Miss Rebecca Neel. 
He is a member of the Patrons of Hus- 
bandry and the Odd Fellows. In his of- 
ficial capacity, Mr. Parrish has proved of 
great value and in cooperation with other 
commissioners has made the present board 
particularly acceptable and effective as a 
business organization. 

ABRAHAM MUSSER, who is one of 
Walnut Township's best known citizens, 
belongs to an old Fairfield County family 
and has spent the larger part of his life on 
his present farm of 504 acres, in Section 7, 
which he owns in association with the heirs 
of A. J. Musser. He was born on this farm, 
September 8, 1830, and is a son of Ulrich 
and Elizabeth (Fry) Musser. 

Ulrich Musser was born in Switzerland 



520 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and was twelve years old when his parents, 
John Musser and wife came with their chil- 
dren to America, about 1802. After a 
stormy passage of eleven weeks they were 
landed at Baltimore, and from there went 
to Somerset County, Pa. From there they 
came to Fairfield County, C, settling one 
mile east of Baltimore, where John Mus- 
ser bought a farm that remained in the 
Musser name for many years. Later he 
moved to Section 7, Walnut Township, 
where he secured 100 acres of the farm first 
mentioned, and here he lived in a small log 
house that stood on the fourteen acres of 
cleared land. When his son Ulrich came 
into possession, he built a large log house 
and a log barn, which buildings are still 
standing and are reckoned the oldest in 
Fairfield County. He also cleared up the 
original 100 acres and added more land. 
His death occurred at the age of sixty-four 
years. He married Elizabeth Fry, who was 
born in Virginia and was brought by her 
parents to Ohio, they dying here. She lived 
to the unusual age of ninety-four years. 
They had eight children, namely: Henry, 
who was born in 1817 and is one of the 
oldest residents of Fairfield County; 
Catherine, who is deceased; Sarah, who is 
the widow of Thomas Warner; Daniel, 
who is deceased; Abraham; Elizabeth, who 
is the widow of John Gilmore ; Lydia, who 
is the wife of Harvey Ashley; and Andrew 
J., deceased, who was once county treas- 
urer of Fairfield County. 

Abraham Musser grew up on his father's 
farm and he remembers that when he went 
to school he had to pass a little brick house 
that still stands on his place. It had been 
erected by a Mr. Baughman, a Virginian, 
and to the little boy going from his log 
home to the log school-house — both of 
rather primitive type — the brick house 



seemed the height of affluence in house 
construction and it probably was one of 
the first brick houses in the county. Abra- 
ham helped to clear the old farm and later, 
during the Civil War, with his brother, A. 
J., who died April 4, 191 1, bought two one- 
quarter sections of land. They cleared and 
drained this land and continued to be asso- 
ciated together in the management of it 
all until the latter's death, since when his 
son, Zephaniah Courtright Musser, attends 
to his late father's interest. Abraham Mus- 
ser is largely interested in the stock busi- 
ness. He erected the present commodious 
frame residence on the farm. In his politi- 
cal views he is a Democrat. 

Andrew J. Musser was born July 12, 
1838, in Walnut Township. The last fif- 
teen years of his life were spent at Lancas- 
ter, O. He was a man of prominence in 
the county and was twice elected county 
treasurer. He married Elizabeth Court- 
right, a daughter of Zephaniah Courtright, 
and still resides at Lancaster, O. They 
had six children: Zephaniah C, who was 
born on the Musser farm, August 27, 1876, 
served as deputy treasurer under his father 
and belongs to the Masons and Elks at 
Lancaster; Ray, who lives in Pleasant 
Township, married Wilda Geiger; Andrew 
J., who lives in Delaware County, O., mar- 
ried Alice Kirkpatrick ; Fannie, who is the 
wife of John L. Graham, is a resident of 
Lancaster where her husband is in business ; 
Ulrich, who is a resident of Portland, Ore. ; 
and Fred, who resides with his mother at 
Lancaster. Politically the Musser family 
has always been identified with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

ASHER GUNDY, a well known farmer 
and stockraiser of Greenfield Township, re- 
siding on his well improved farm of 216 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



521 



acres, was born in this township, February 
II, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Ingman) Gundy. 

Joseph Gundy was born in Greenfield 
Township, May 30, 1810, a son of Christian 
Gundy, who came to Fairfield County from 
Pennsylvania and was one of the pioneers 
of Liberty Township. Joseph Gundy was a 
successful farmer and highly respected resi- 
dent of Greenfield Township, where his 
death occurred July 7, 1893. He took much 
interest in the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Hooker, O., liberally contributing to its 
support and furthering its missionary work. 
He was twice married and of his children 
the following survive : Oliver, who lives 
at Hooker, O. ; Isaac, who resides in Green- 
field Township ; Adaline, who is the widow 
of William Griffith; Mrs. Elizabeth Bow- 
ers, who lives at Hooker; and Asher. 

Asher Gundy has been a lifelong resident 
of Greenfield Township, obtaining his edu- 
cation in the public schools and learning 
the principles of successful farming on the 
home place. Like his late father, he is 
identified with the Republican party, and is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

EMMETT R. DEFENBAUGH, sheriff 
of Fairfield County, O., is a native of this 
state, born in Hocking County, September 
13, i860, one of the eight children of 
Andrew and Jane (Riegle) Defenbaugh. 
The father of Sheriff Defenbaugh is now 
in his eighty-fourth year and continues to 
live on his farm in Hocking County. 

Emmett R. Defenbaugh was educated in 
the public schools and at the Northern Nor- 
mal University at Ada, of the Commercial De- 
partment of which he is a graduate. He started 
into business as a farmer in the western part of 
Fairfield County and remained there until 1903, 



when he went into the milling, grain and 
livestock business and continued until he 
was elected sheriff of Fairfield County, 
in 1908, assuming the duties of the same in 
January, 1909. His success at the polls was 
a flattering one, as he had one of the largest 
majority of any county officer. He has 
proved a resolute, courageous man in the 
line of duty and his Democratic friends 
have made him their standard bearer for 
reelection — an almost certain event, as he 
is popular with all classes except law- 
breakers. 

Mr. Defenbaugh married Miss OUie E. 
Allen, a daughter of Lyman P. Allen, an 
extensive farmer of Amanda Township, 
Fairfield County, and owner of about one 
section of land, and they have two children 
— Blanche and Maud. They are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Sheriff 
Defenbaugh is a Knight Templar Mason, 
belonging also to the K. of P., B. P. O. E. 
and I. O. O. F. 

HENRY W. SHOWALTER, a repre- 
sentative citizen of Carroll, O., where he 
was engaged in the hardware business for 
over a quarter of a century, has been very 
active in the affairs of the Farmers and 
Merchants Banking Company of this place 
and is treasurer of its board of directors. 
He was born September 20, 1845, i^i Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a 
son of Samuel C. and Sarah (French) 
Showalter, both of whom were natives of 
Virginia. 

Henry W. Showalter was about one year 
old when his father died and his mother 
passed away a few months later. He was 
reared to the age of thirteen years by Mrs. 
Nancy Showalter, of Bloom Township, 
when he went to live with his guardian, 
Daniel Boyer, of that township, and re- 



522 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



mained there for the next five years. He 
then started out for himself, being equipped 
with a district school education. He con- 
tinued to live in Bloom Township for some 
years longer, following farming and thresh- 
ing, and then went into partnership with 
John Robertson, under the firm name of 
Robertson & Showalter, in contracting for 
public works, and continued in this asso- 
ciation and business for five years. For the 
next five years Mr. Showalter was in the 
grain buying and elevator business at Lock- 
ville, O., from which place he came to Car- 
roll, in 1884, and opened up a general hard- 
ware business. He has been a useful and 
enterprising citizen of this town, his efforts 
always having been public spirited and pro- 
gressive and he was one of the leading pro- 
moters of the Farmers and Merchants 
Banking Company, a financial enterprise 
which has been most beneficial to this sec- 
tion. During its earlier months after or- 
ganization, Mr. Showalter's store was bank 
headquarters. While at Lockville, O., he 
was postmaster and since coming to Car- 
roll has held ofifices of a public nature and 
for fifteen years has been treasurer of Green- 
field Township. Mr. Showalter married 
Miss Mary A. Stansbery, and they have 
had one daughter, Carrie, who is now de- 
ceased. 

REUBEN WESLEY MONDHANK, 
M. D., who is president of the Fairfield 
County Medical Society and identified with 
the Ohio State and the American Medical 
Associations, has a professional experience 
behind him for fifteen years of continuous 
practice. He was born near Lancaster, O., 
his present home, and is a son of William 
and Mary (Ackoss) Mondhank. 

William Mondhank was born in Fairfield 
County, a son of William and Nellie 



(Strocks) Mondhank, natives of Germany 
and early settlers in this section, where 
Grandfather Mondhank died in 1909, aged 
eighty-seven years, the grandmother being 
now in her ninety-third year. William 
Mondhank, the second, has followed farm- 
ing all his life. He married Mary Ackoss, 
a daughter of Daniel Ackoss, who was born 
in Vermont and now lives in Logan, C, be- 
ing in his ninety-third year. His wife, the 
maternal grandmother of Dr. Mondhank, 
was of German ancestry. She died of 
typhoid fever when aged forty-five years. 
Dr. Mondhank has one sister, Minnie, who 
is the wife of Charles Hummel, residing in 
Fairfield County. 

Reuben W. Mondhank attended the local 
schools in boyhood and then became a stu- 
dent in the National Normal L^niversity at 
Lebanon, C, this being the first Normal 
college in the United States. In 1.S96 he 
was graduated with his medical degree, 
from the Ohio Medical University at Colum- 
bus, O., and entered into practice at Royal- 
ton, where he remained for eleven years 
and then came to Lancaster, where he is in 
the enjoyment of a large practice. Dr. 
Mondhank continues to be a student in his 
profession, making use of every opportunity 
to increase his store of knowledge and to 
perfect his skill. In 1903 he took a post- 
graduate course in a New York Post Grad- 
uate institution. 

Dr. Mondhank was married in the spring 
of 1896 to Miss Anna Cruit, a daughter of 
William and Mary Cruit, residents of Fair- 
field County, and they have had two chil- 
dren: Mary, who died at the age of six 
years ; and Chester, a manly youth of twelve 
years who is making excellent progress at 
school. The family attends the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Politically Dr. Mond- 
hank is a Republican and fraternally he is 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



523 



identified with the Odd Fellows, the 
Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and 
the Masons, being a Knight Templar and a 
"Shriner." The Doctor's home and oiifice 
are located at No. 408 Columbus street. 

WESLEY HOLMES, formerly presi- 
dent of the Farmers and Merchants Bank- 
ing Company, of Carroll, O., and a success- 
ful merchant there for many years, was 
born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, O., in October, 1835, and was a son 
of George and Nancy (McDonald) Holmes, 
also natives of the county, these families 
being old and substantial ones in this sec- 
tion. 

Wesley Holmes spent his boyhood in 
Greenfield Township, assisting his father on 
the farm and securing the education then 
afforded by the district schools. As his in- 
clinations did not urge him to an agricul- 
tural life he went then to Carroll, O., where 
he became a clerk in a store and continued 
in that capacity for several years, when he 
embarked in a general mercantile business 
for himself and in the passage of years be- 
came one of the solid and substantial busi- 
ness men of the town. He was also public 
spirited and was one of the main promoters 
of the Farmers and Merchants Banking 
Company, an important financial institution 
of Carroll which enjoys the patronage and 
confidence of the whole county, and of 
which Mr. Holmes was made president. He 
was a faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Carroll and served offi- 
cially in that body. His views on public 
questions made him a Republican but he 
was never aggressive and never desirous 
of holding public office. His death occurred 
on April 8, 1910, and in his demise Fair- 
field County lost a worthy and honorable 
man. For twenty-five years he was post- 



master and for many years was treasurer 
of the corporation. 

On February 4, 1868, Mr. Holmes mar- 
ried Miss Catherine Aldred, who was born 
near Wilmington, Del., a daughter of John 
and Mary (Tally) Aldred. The father of 
Mrs. Holmes was born in England and was 
eight years old when he accompanied his 
parents to Delaware, and he subsequently 
was married to Mary Tally, who was born 
in Delaware. Mrs. Holmes in her fifth year 
was taken to Perry County, O. In 1861 
she came to Carroll, O., and has been a resi- 
dent of Fairfield County until the present, 
being now in her eightieth year. She has 
a wide circle of attached friends and is a 
valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in which she and her husband were 
deeply interested together for over a quar- 
ter of a century. 

CHARLES D. GILL, whose valuable 
farm of 406 acres lies in Section 29, Walnut 
Township, is one of the representative men 
of this section, active in local affairs and 
respected and esteemed by his fellow citi- 
zens. He has been a lifelong resident of 
Fairfield County, and was born in Walnut 
Township, August 17, 1863, the only child 
of Edward and Catherine (Waddell) Gill. 

The Gill family was established in Fair- 
field County by the grandfather, Nicholas 
Gill, who came here from Baltimore County, 
Md. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, 
and after its close settled in Walnut Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, securing the quarter 
section which includes the present farm of 
his grandson, Charles D. Gill, for the sum 
of $3,500. He erected the present buildings 
and died in the residence still occupied, in 
1844. He married Elizabeth Ambrose and 
twelve children were born to them : Am- 
brose, Dydimus, Sarah, John, Nicholas, 



524 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Thomas, Edward, Tabitha, Ann, Mary and 
two who died in infancy. 

Edward Gill, father of Charles D., was 
born on the present farm in March, 1828. 
He was a farmer and dealt in live stock and 
frequently drove his stock over the moun- 
tains to reach markets. He married Cath- 
erine Waddell, a native of Ohio and a 
daughter of Dr. David S. Waddell, who was 
one of the early medical practitioners at 
Pleasantville. Edward Gill bought a farm 
near the old home place and he and his wife 
died there, his death occurring in July, 1873. 

Charles D. Gill attended the district 
schools in boyhood, later the Reynoldsburg 
High School and then entered the prepara- 
tory department of Kenyon College, at 
Gambler. Still later he was a student in 
the Fairfield Academy and Delaware Col- 
lege. From choice he has always been an 
agriculturist. In 1892 he purchased his 
present farm from George E. Martin. It 
is a fine property, well adapted to both gen- 
eral farming and stock raising. He owns a 
number of valuable horses, including two 
of the heaviest-boned Percheron stallions in 
Ohio — Caprice and Cadi.x. He owns also 
the valuable Shetland pony, Billy Barlow. 
He was one of the organizers of the Millers- 
port Bank Company, in which he is a stock- 
holder. Politically he is a Republican and 
in 1909 was elected a member of the school 
board and for the past ten years has been a 
member of the Fair board. He has been 
very active in the Grange movement and 
formerly was master of the organization at 
Millersport. 

On October 13, 1895, Mr. Gill was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Etta Ketner, a daughter 
of Nicholas V. and Catherine (Warner) 
Ketner, and they have four children: Flor- 
ence, Edward, Catherine and Nicholas. Mr. 
Gill is a thirty-second degree Mason. 



HON. JAMES A. HOLMES, mayor of 
Carroll, O., and serving in his second term 
in this office, has been a resident of the city 
since 1904, and was born March 6, 1855, in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O. His 
parents were James and Alatilda (Kistler) 
Holmes. 

James Holmes and wife were both born 
in Bloom Township, the former a son of 
Thomas Holmes, who was of English ex- 
traction. James Holmes was a Republican 
in politics and he was a man of prominence 
and served as mayor of Carroll prior to his 
death in November, 1864. He was twice 
married, first to Matilda Kistler, and second 
to Susan Saylor, and of his children the fol- 
lowing survive: Henry, who lives at Car- 
roll ; Nancy E., who is the wife of E. D. 
Kraner, of Pickerington, O. ; James A. ; 
Matilda J., who is the wife of Wilbur 
Luckey of South Charleston, O. ; Florence, 
who lives at Pittsburg, Pa. ; and Rachel, who 
is the wife of Frank Groves, of Cincinnati. 
The two last named are children of the sec- 
ond marriage. 

James A. Holmes lost his mother when 
an infant and was reared by an aunt, the 
late Mrs. Rachel Pickering, formerly of 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, with 
whom he remained until her death in 1893. 
He was educated at Pickerington and Lith- 
opolis. Farming has been his occupation 
and he owns 132 acres of valuable land 
adjoining Carroll, and formerly owned a 
creamery at this place. For seven years he 
has resided here and has been a valued and 
appreciated citizen. Formerly he served as 
clerk of Greenfield Township and in 1908 
he was first elected mayor and was subse- 
quently reelected and is giving his fellow 
citizens an admirable administration from 
every point of view. He is identified with 
the Republican party. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



525 



Mayor Holmes was marred January lo, 
1884, to Mary L. Kuans, a daughter of Mar- 
tin Van Buren Kuans, of Portsmouth, O., 
and they have three children: Nellie C, 
who is the wife of Klmer Miller, of Green- 
field Township ; and James Jay and Rachel 
Juanita, who reside at home. 

REUBKN S. HINE, president of the 
board of county commissioners of Kairfield 
County, O., is one of the best known citi- 
zens of Lancaster and for many years prior 
to accepting his present official position, 
was largely engaged in general contracting. 
He was born in Fairfield County, O., March 
I7> 1835- H's parents were Jacob and 
Rebecca (Kanode) Hine, who had five chil- 
dren. Jacob Hine was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania and came to Fairfield County in 1820, 
where he engaged in farming and resided 
tmtil the close of his life. 

Reuben S. Hine was reared in Fairfield 
County and obtained his schooling in his 
native place. He worked on the home farm 
until 1870 when he embarked in a general 
contracting business with Mason & Stone 
at Lancaster. He continued in the same 
occupation until 1906, when he was first 
elected a county commissioner of Fairfield 
County. His services have been considered 
very valuable to the county and he has not 
only been reelected a member of the board 
but since 1907 has been president of this 
important county body. In politics he is a 
Democrat. 

Mr. Hine married Miss Mary M. Kanode, 
a daughter of Benjamin F. Kanode, and 
they have six children, all of whom are 
well established in life. Mr. Hine and fam- 
ily reside at No. 711 E. Wheeling street, 
Lancaster, O. 



HENRY D. DRUMM, for many years 
was one of the well known and respected 
citizens of Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, O., where he was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits and owned a fine farm of 
117 acres, which is now the property of his 
widow. He was born June 3, 1829, and 
died in Greenfield Township, March 17, 
1909. His parents were Henry and Maria 
(Hauchman) Drumm. Henry Drumm was 
born, reared and married in Pennsylvania 
and came with his family to Fairfield 
County at an early date, locating at Lan- 
caster, where he became a man of conse- 
quence and at one time was postmaster. 

Henry D. Drumm was reared at Lancas- 
ter and attended school there and in early 
manhood went into the sawmill business 
and worked at different points in Fairfield 
County. After marriage he turned his at- 
tention to farming, living at first in Pleasant 
Township and moving from there to Green- 
field Township. He was an honorable, up- 
right man and one who conscientiously per- 
formed every known duty and lived in 
peace and friendship with his neighbors. 
He was a liberal supporter of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which he was long a 
member and was one of its board of trustees. 

On account of disability Mr. Drumm was 
rejected when he tried to enlist for service 
in the Union army. When the Governor 
called for volunteers on account of threat- 
ened invasion of the state, Mr. Drumm was 
one of the first to volunteer. The com- 
pany, known as "The Squirrel Hunters," 
elected Kit Rufifner as its captain and each 
man took his own rifle, ammunition and 
provisions. The family still have Mr. 
Drumm's discharge papers, and also a 
transcript of the resolution of thanks to the 



526 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



"Squirrel Hunters," passed by the Ohio 
Legislature, March 4, 1863, and signed by 
Governor Tod. 

On September 18, 1865, Henry D. 
Drumm was married to Miss Susan Fetters, 
who was born in Pleasant Township, a 
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) 
Fetters, both natives of Fairfield County, 
and a granddaughter of George Fetters, one 
of the early settlers in Pleasant Township. 
Five children- were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Drumm, namely : Mayme J., who lives with 
her mother; Sarah D., who is deceased; 
Henry T., who lives in Greenfield Town- 
ship; Cora B., who is the wife of Frank G. 
McElroy, of Indianapolis, Ind. ; and Maud 
M., who lives at Columbus, O. Mrs. 
Drumm is a member of the Hutton Chapel 
Methodist Episcopal church in Greenfield 
Township. 

HENRY R. PLUM, M. D., one of the 
leading medical practitioners of Lancaster, 
O., who has been established in this city for 
the past twelve years, was born January 5, 
1868, at St. Paul, Pickaway County, O., and 
is a son of William H. and Mary (Smith) 
Plum. 

William H. Plum was born in Franklin 
County, O., a son of Henry Plum, and died 
in 1890, at the age of forty-nine years. He 
was a farmer and stock dealer during the 
greater part of his life. He married Mary 
Smith, who was born in Madison Town- 
ship, Pickaway County, O., a daughter of 
Reuben Smith, and died in 1881, when aged 
but thirty-six years. Four sons and two 
daughters were born to this marriage. Ora 
B. is the wife of William Hickle, of Pick- 
away County. Myrtie D. is the wife of Dr. 
J. P. Warner, of Canal Winchester, O. Wil- 
liam H. is a livestock dealer, residing at 
Ashville, O., and married Clara Steward. 



Horace W., who is engaged in the insur- 
ance business at Circleville, O., was for- 
merly county clerk of Pickaway County." 
Harley M. is a teacher in the Cleveland 
High School. Henry R., of Lancaster, is 
the second born of the family. 

Henry R. Plum was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Pickaway County, attended 
the Madison Township High School and in 
1891 was graduated from the Ohio Normal 
University at Ada. For about three years 
after graduation he taught school at Water- 
town, Wis., and one year in a House of 
Refuge Reform School near Philadelphia. 
He then entered Starling Medical College, 
where he was graduated with the class of 
1898. He then came to Lancaster, with 
which city he has been identified profes- 
sionally ever since. He is a member of the 
state and county medical societies and keeps 
thoroughly informed concerning the won- 
derful advances being made in medical 
science. 

Dr. Plum was married in September, 
191 1, to Miss Margaret Kirn, a daughter 
of Jacob Kirn. They enjoy a beautiful 
home at No. 135 W. Wheeling street, where 
Dr. Plum also maintains his oflfice. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. He is a member 
of the German Lutheran church. 

JEFFERSON J. WINEGARDNER, de- 
ceased, for many years was a respected 
resident and useful citizen of Fairfield 
County, O., and was a member of a family 
of considerable importance in this section 
and of large estate. He was born in Rich- 
land township, Fairfield County, the only 
one of his parents' family of thirteen chil- 
dren to be born in Ohio, his birth taking 
place in 1809, just after the family had 
reached here from Virginia. 

Herbert and Elizabeth (Barb) Wine- 



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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



529 



gardner, the parents of Jefferson J. Wine- 
gardner, were probably born in Germany, 
or at least were of German parentage. Be- 
fore coming to Ohio the father operated a 
farm and also conducted a hotel in Virginia, 
and afterward in company with his sons 
engaged in farming, they becoming owners 
of gristmills and distilleries. To Herbert 
Winegardner and wife the following chil- 
dren were born : Adam, Maria House, 
Catherine Geiger, Betsey, Charity, Susan, 
Sarah, Mrs. Zimmerman, Herbert, Henry, 
Anthony, Jefferson J. and Absalom. Of 
these Sarah married Auditor Reichley, who 
was a prominent officer during the Civil 
War. Although the family was large, a 
number of the children died in early or mid- 
dle life and when but four remained they 
entered into a strange agreement, this be- 
ing that none of the four should marry as 
long as two were living. This did not oc- 
cur until Jefferson J., was sixty-two years 
of age and the sole survivor. 

Mr. Winegardner was married in 1876, 
to Mrs. Mary M. (Miller) Rader, widow of 
John Rader, who already had a family of 
seven children, these being: Anna C, wife 
of William Miller; Esther E., wife of Enoch 
Langle; Wilbur W., who is deceased; Julius 
L., Merit McClelland, Milo G. and Earl M., 
the last named being deceased. This proved 
a happy union and Mr. Winegardner was 
permitted to enjoy a number of years of 
domestic life, surviving until October, 14, 
1891. Mrs. Winegarden had no children 
born to her second marriage. Few men 
were more public spirited or wisely gener- 
ous than was Jefferson J. Winegardner. He 
may not unjustly be called father of the 
town of Rushville, donating land and en- 
couraging business enterprises and being 
particularly liberal in his gifts to the Re- 



formed church, bestowing thirty-eight acres 
of land on it and donating almost the entire 
$10,000 required in the building of the hand- 
some church edifice. He was the owner of 
about 3,000 acres of land. In politics he 
was a Democrat and always cherished the 
memory of President James K. Polk, who 
was his mother's first cousin. Mrs. Wine- 
gardner owns considerable property also, 
including one farm of ninety-three acres and 
another of twenty-one acres, a fine residence 
on Wheeling Street, Lancaster, and her 
handsome residence at No. 662 East Main 
Street. She is one of the active workers 
and devout members of the Reformed 
church. 

EDSON B. FAST was one of the well 
known and highly esteemed citizens of 
Greenfield Township, where he was a lead- 
ing citizen for some years and one of the 
representative agriculturists. He was born 
May 9, 1863, in Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, and died August 31, 1909, in Green- 
field Township. His parents were David 
and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Fast, who spent 
many years in Berne Township, where the 
mother died. The father has passed his 
eightieth birthday and now lives in retire- 
ment at Columbus, O. 

Edson B. Fast was reared in Berne 
Township and in early life had but few ad- 
vantages, but he grew into a useful man 
and good citizen. After he married he re- 
moved with his wife to Paulding County, 
O., but in the spring of 1906 returned to 
Fairfield County. Farming and stock-rais- 
ing engaged his attention through life and 
he was successful in these industries. He 
left a valuable estate of 234 acres, which is 
ably managed by his widow. 

Edson B. Fast was married February 21, 



530 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1889, to Miss Elizabeth Idella Beery, a 
daughter of Lewis and Mary (Swartz) 
Beery, both natives of Fairfield County. 
The Beery family was a pioneer one in 
Berne Township and Daniel Beery, the 
grandfather of Mrs. Fast, spent his life 
there. Her father, Lewis Beery, died in 
December, 1908, and eight of his children 
still survive, namely: Frank S., of Pleasant 
Township ; Edward T., Charles E. and 
David H., all of Berne Township; Cather- 
ine, wife of R. W. Graham, residing near 
Lancaster, O. ; Emma J., wife of R. T. 
Gregg, of Lima, O. ; Elizabeth Idella, widow 
of Edson B. Fast; and Nettie M., widow of 
S. J. Fickel, residing at Lancaster. O. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Fast four children were 
born: Pearl D., Raymond B., Lewis E. and 
Florence E., all of whom live in Greenfield 
Township. In his political views Edson B. 
Fast was a Democrat. He was a liberal 
supporter of the public schools and of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Carroll, to 
which he and family belonged, and of which 
he was a trustee. This family and its con- 
nections stands very high in public esteem 
in Fairfield County. 

MILTON JONES NICKUM, who has 
been a resident of Fairfield County, O., 
since 1880, for many years has been en- 
gaded in the drug business at Pleasantville 
and has property investments here. He 
was born June 7, 1841, on his father's farm 
in Maryland, and is a son of James and 
Mary (Jones) Nickum. 

The grandparents of Mr. Nickum came 
from Wales but both parents were born 
and died in Maryland. The father was a 
farmer and stock dealer. He lived into old 
age, dying in his ninety-third year. Mr. 



Nickum has an older brother, Charles, and 
a sister younger, Alice, both of whom live 
in Kansas. 

Milton J. Nickum remained on the home 
farm until he was sixteen years of age and 
subsequently attended a school of phar- 
macy, at Baltimore, Md. He then spent 
several years as a drug clerk. Afterwards 
he was engaged as a traveling salesman 
through the West for a distilling house at 
Shelbyville, Ind., and continued that con- 
nection until 1880, when he had the oppor- 
tunity of buying the drug store that was 
then being conducted in the little village of 
Pleasantville. He had the good judgment 
that future developments proved reliable, 
that the then small place would develop 
into one of importance and in this develop- 
ment Mr. Nickum has been an important 
factor. 

He was married at Shelbyville, Ind., to 
Miss Ella Callender, who was born in Ken- 
tucky, and they have had two children : 
Ray, who lives at Rushville, O., married a 
Miss Lewis and has one child; and Daisy, 
who died in 1909, at the age of twenty-eight 
years. She was the wife of Ilef Young and 
was the mother of two children, Margaret 
and Miltella. The latter died at the age of 
two years. Her mother, in love and honor 
for her parents, had given the babe its pretty 
name of Miltella, a euphonious combina- 
tion. For fifty years Mr. Nickum has been 
a Free Mason and for more than forty years 
a Knight of Pythias. Politically he is a 
Democrat. 

EMANUEL HITE, a well known far- 
mer of Greenfield Township, who has occu- 
pied his present farm of sixty-one and one- 
fourth acres since 1908, was born in Pleas- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



531 



ant Township, Fairfield County, March 24, 
1849, and is a son of Jacob and Jane (Dean) 
Hite. 

Jacob Hite was born and spent his life in 
Pleasant Township, where his death oc- 
curred in 1906, on the old home place where 
he had been born ninety-one years before. 
His father, Andrew Hite, was one of the 
very earliest settlers in Pleasant Township, 
where he died in 1817, his burial being 
probably one of the first in this section. 
Jacob Hite was a worthy man in every way, 
a consistent Christian and a member of the 
Presbyterian church. He took an interest 
in both local and outside affairs and voted 
with the Republican party. He married 
Jane Dean as his second wife and of their 
children the following still survive: Emily, 
who is the wife of David Franks, of Rush- 
ville, O. ; Frances, who is the wife of John 
L. Keller, of Knox County, O. ; Emanuel ; 
and Lemuel, who lives in Pleasant Town- 
ship. 

Emanuel Hite grew to manhood in Pleas- 
ant Township and attended the district 
schools in boyhood, since when he has been 
continuously engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. On June 8, 1899, he was married 
to Caroline Schmidt, who was born in Berne 
Township, Fairfield County. She has one 
sister, Mrs. John Struckman, of Carroll, O. 
Mr. Hite is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. 
Hite was reared in the Lutheran faith. He 
is a Republican in politics but takes no ac- 
tive part in political affairs, being more in- 
terested in the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his farm and in the growing of first 
class stock. He is one of the township's 
respected citizens. 

J. W. STEWART, formerly sheriff of 
Fairfield County, O., and now engaged in 
the real estate business at Pleasantville, 



was born in Licking County, O., August 4, 
1848, and is a son of Capt. James and Mar- 
garet (McGonigal) Stewart. 

Mr. Stewart was educated in the schools 
at Jacksontown and when eighteen years of 
age visited the West, spending two years in 
Missouri and one year in Colorado. A 
short time after his return to Licking 
County he was married to Miss Alice Parr. 
She died in 1893, the mother of four chil- 
dren, namely : Daisy, who is the wife of 
A. E. Rowles, of Pleasantville and has one 
child, Miriam ; J. Byron, who resides at 
Pleasantville, married Alice Shannon and 
has two children — Zoe M. and Joseph; 
Vera, who is the wife of Frank Landis, 
lives at Columbus and has one child, Doris; 
and William P., who is a resident of Cleve- 
land, and married Helen Deindorfer. Mr. 
Stewart's second marriage was to Mrs. 
Catherine Tschopp, widow of Henry 
Tschopp. 
. In 1881 Mr. Stewart moved to Pleasant- 
ville and here embarked in a mercantile and 
grain business, which he subsequently — 
after his election to the office of sheriff in 
1896 — sold to Eli Rowles. He has been a 
leading Democrat of the county for many 
years and has held numerous township 
offices and during his four years as sheriff 
of the county, confirmed the previous ex- 
cellent estimate of his fellow citizens. For 
a short time he was in a grocery business 
but sold in 1907 and since then has been 
engaged in disposing of real estate as an 
occupation. For many years he has been 
both a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. 

CLARENCE M. ROWLEE, one of the 
capable and progressive business men of 
Lancaster, O., has been actively interested 
in gas development for many years and dur- 
ing the most active and effective of these 



532 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



he has been a resident of Fairfield County. 
He is a native of Potter County, Pa., a son 
of William and Mary (Bovier) Rowlee, 
both of whom were born in New York. 

Clarence M. Rowlee was reared on his 
father's farm and obtained a public school 
education. The opening up of the great oil 
industry attracted his interest as it did that 
of an army of others and his education se- 
cured him a clerkship with one of the early 
prospecting and operating companies where 
the knowledge gained soon enabled him to 
successfully make ventures of his own in 
the same direction. Until 1885 he continued 
to operate in Bradford, McKean County, 
Pa. ; for two years afterward was employed 
as an inspector of oil properties in the 
vicinity of Lima, C, and then became a 
railroad man for several years. In 1890 he 
entered the employ of the Natural Gas 
Company, of Columbus, O., of which he was 
made field superintendent and continued as 
such vmtil 1906, and during this period was 
so thorough and successful in his work that 
much capital from the outside was attracted 
to this section and many industries started 
contingent on the richest gas property in 
the state being situated here. Mr. Rowlee 
was made superintendent of all the proper- 
ties and improvements of the Columbus 
Natural Gas Company, his long experience 
making him exceedingly valuable in this 
position and as the interests have increased 
with years so have his duties and responsi- 
bilities. No name in oil and gas circles is 
better known in Fairfield County, as he has 
maintained his headquarters all these years 
at Lancaster, directing from his office at 
No. 115 E. Main Street, operations which 
have grown to great volume, and being now 
general superintendent of the Lancaster 
City Gas Company. 



Mr. Rowlee was married in 1890, to Mrs. 
Julia Boyer, of Newark, O. He is identified 
with a number of fraternal bodies, being a 
Knight Templar Mason and a member of 
the Knights of Pythias, of the I. O. R. M., 
the K. O. T. and others. 

MILES SANDS, justice of the peace for 
Greenfield Township, who has been a resi- 
dent of Carroll, C, for more than twenty 
years, was born January i, 1843, in Morgan 
County, O., and is a son of John W. and 
Rebecca (Gardner) Sands. 

John W. Sands was born in Maryland 
and was brought to Ohio at the age of four 
years by his parents, who resided for a time 
in Jefferson County near Smithfield, and 
then moved to Morgan County, where the 
rest of his life was spent, his death occur- 
ring in his eighty-seventh year. He was a 
man of sterling character and for over a half 
century was a justice of the peace in Union 
Township. His father, Richard Sands, was 
Dorn m iJaltnnore County, Md. 

Miles Sands obtained his education in the 
public schools of Morgan County. During 
the Civil War, on May i, 1864, he enlisted 
in Co. B, i6ist O. Vol. Inf., which became 
a part of General Hunter's command, and 
was honorably discharged in the following 
September. This regiment was mainly 
used as a guard over army supplies and dur- 
ing a part of the time was stationed in the 
Shenandoah Valley — a dangerous position 
— but the value of their services was 
acknowledged by a vote of thanks by the 
Congress of the United States. Mr. Sands 
returned to Morgan County and followed 
farming there until 1877, when he came to 
Fairfield County and engaged in general 
farming in Greenfield Township until 1890, 
when he came to Carroll. On January i, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



533 



1909, he was elected a justice of the peace. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

Mr. Sands was married January 3, 1864, 
to Miss Elizabeth J. Horseman, a daughter 
of J. W. Horseman of Morgan County. The 
father of Mrs. Sands died in 1907, in the 
ninety-seventh year of his age, at his home 
at Lancaster. He was a native of Alexan- 
dria, Va., was a soldier in the Civil War, 
lived many years in Morgan County, but 
spent the last thirty years of his life in Fair- 
field County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sands eight 
children were born : Charles E., who lives 
at Columbus, O. ; Jennie, who is the wife 
of Charles Fenstermacher, of Carroll, O. ; 
Willard, who lives at Columbus ; Cora E., 
who is a resident of Carroll ; Fannie, who 
is the wife of Charles Glick, of Bloom 
Township; Gertrude, who lives at home; 
and Sylvester and Melvin, both of whom 
are deceased. In April, 1895, the mother 
of these children passed away, leaving many 
outside her immediate family to mourn her 
death. She was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Judge Sands is identified 
with the Masonic fraternity. 

J. H. WELKER, who is one of the old 
and substantial business men of Pleasant- 
ville, proprietor of the leading hardware 
store and senior member of the firm of J. 
H. Welker & Sons, has been a resident of 
Fairfield County all his life. He was born 
March 22^, 1855, on his maternal grand- 
father's farm, in Berne Township, and is 
a son of John H. and Lydia A. (Strayer) 
Welker. 

John H. Welker was born in Germany 
and was eighteen years old when he came 
to America with his parents, Henry and 
Catherine Welker. They settled first on 
what is now the Ewing farm, near Lancas- 



ter, O., but later bought land in Berne 
Township, where the grandparents of J. H. 
Welker both died, aged about seventy-three 
years. Their son, John H., came into 
possession of the farm which he retained 
for some time and then sold and moved to 
Pleasant Township and spent the rest of his 
life there, following farming as his occupa- 
tion. His death occurred July 3, 1902, when 
he was aged seventy-one years. He mar- 
ried Lydia A. Strayer, who was born in 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, and died 
in Pleasant Township, March 30, 1908, aged 
seventy years. Her parents were Lawrence 
and Mary Strayer, Pennsylvania Germans, 
who were early settlers in F"airfield County. 
Three children were born to John H. and 
Lydia Welker, namely: Jacob Henry; 
Fredericka, wife of J. C. Mertz, residing in 
Pleasant Township; and Mary E., wife of 
J. C. Peters, residing at Columbus, O. 

J. H. W'elker was eighteen years of age 
when his parents moved to Pleasant Town- 
ship and he remained at home assisting his 
father until his own marriage, when he 
bought a small farm, but after the marriage 
and departure of his sisters for homes of 
their own, he returned to his parents and 
took charge of the homestead and at their 
death was appointed administrator of their 
estate. After disposing of his farm interests 
Mr. Welker moved to Pleasantville and here 
bought his present hardware store from T. 
J. Naughten & Son, and conducted it alone 
until 1908, when he admitted his two sons, 
Charles and George Welker. as partners. 
They are all recognized as enterprising 
business men and stand well in the com- 
munity. Mr. Welker and sons are Demo- 
crats. He served five years as trustee while 
living in Pleasant Township and in 1909 
was elected a trustee of Walnut Township. 



534 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



In February, 1881, Mr. Welker was mar- 
ried to Miss Christina Vogle, a daughter of 
George and Anna (Meister) Vogle, who 
came to Ohio from Germany when Mrs. 
Welker was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Wel- 
ker have two sons and two grandchildren: 
Charles, who married Edith McCleary, and 
has two children — Aline and Heloise ; and 
George, who married Fay Forsythe. Mr. 
Welker and family are members of the 
Lutheran church. He is a member of t'.ie 
Masonic lodge at Pleasantville. 

HENRY E. ALSPACH, vice president 
of the Farmers and Merchants Banking 
Company, of Carroll, O., is one of Green- 
field Township's representative and sub- 
stantial citizens and is the owner of a valu- 
able farm of 158 acres. He was born in 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, C, 
May 4, 1857, and is a son of Henry and 
Matilda (Lamb) Alspach. 

Henry Alspach was born in Fairfield 
County, 0., a son of Jacob Alspach, who 
was born in Berks County, Pa., and came 
from there in 1803 and settled in Fairfield 
County, entering government land in Bloom 
Township. Henry Alspach spent the 
greater part of his life in Greenfield Town- 
ship, where his death occurred in 1895. He 
was one of the prominent men of this sec- 
tion, serving as township trustee and for 
thirty years was land appraiser, and from 
1859 until 1864, was a member of the board 
of county commissioners of Fairfield 
County. He was interested all his life in 
the welfare of his country and community 
and was one of the leading Democrats of 
this township. He married Matilda Lamb, 
a native of Fairfield County, and of their 
children three survive: Nelson H., who 



lives in Missouri ; Jacob L., who lives in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, and 
Henry E. 

Henry E. Alspach attended the schools 
of Greenfield Township and afterward 
taught two terms of school before he settled 
down to an agricultural life, farming and 
stockraising having interested him ever 
since. He continued on his farm until 1908, 
when he retired to Carroll, where he is at 
present serving in the ofiice of land ap- 
praiser. He has been interested in the Far- 
mers and Merchants Banking Company 
since its organization, having been one of 
its promoters, and in addition to being its 
vice president, is one of its directing board. 

Mr. Alspach married Miss Clara Horn, a 
daughter of E. T. Horn, of Lancaster, O., 
and they have one daughter, Iretha, who 
is the wife of Herbert C. Heister, of Colum- 
bus, O. 

CALEB A. RUFFNER, a highly re- 
spected retired farmer living at Pleasant- 
ville, 0., still owns three valuable farms in 
Walnut Township, Fairfield County, aggre- 
gating 165 acres. He belongs to one of the 
old pioneer families of the county and was 
born on his father's farm in Richland Town- 
ship, June 18, 1851, a son of Jacob and 
Eliza (Copeland) Rufifner. 

Jacob Rufifner was born January 8, 1824, 
and died June 8, 1895. His father was 
Jacob Rufifner, who was born in Virginia 
and accompanied his father, Emanuel Rufif- 
ner to Fairfield County, he settling in Rich- 
land Township. In the old family grave- 
yard in that township there possibly could 
be found the stone that marks his last rest- 
ing place. Jacob Rufifner, Sr., and his wife, 
Magdalena, were also buried in Richland 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



535 



Township. Their thirteen children are all 
now deceased, eleven of this large family 
reaching mature years. 

Jacob Rufifner, Jr., was the third in order 
of birth. He came into possession of the 
family estate in Richland Township and 
spent his life there engaged in agriculture. 
He married Eliza Copeland, who was born 
at Rushville, O., a daughter of Caleb and 
Rebecca Copeland. Mrs. Ruffner died 
August 15, 1899, aged seventy-three years. 
Nine children were born to Jacob and Eliza 
Rufifner, as follows : Clara, who married 
James Biggs, and lives at Pleasantville ; 
Caleb A., who was named for his maternal 
grandfather: Jacob Marion, who lives in 
Delaware County, O. ; Eliza, who is the wife 
of W. Geiger. of Hebron, O. ; Cynthia, who 
is the wife of Jackson Hanover, of Delaware 
County; Mary Magdalena, who is the wife 
of J. D. Rowles, of Pleasantville ; George 
B., who lives in Walnut Township; and 
Frances Viola and William S., twins, the 
former being the wife of Ira C. Spittler of 
Pleasant Township. 

Caleb A. Ruffner lived at home until he 
reached manhood, giving his father assist- 
ance on the home farm and in the mean- 
while attending the district school. On 
February 17, 1876, he was married to Miss 
Cynthia D. Phillips, a daughter of Reuben 
and Nancy Phillips, and they have one 
daughter, Xema Florence. She married 
Earl Spittler and they live in Walnut Town- 
ship and have four children : Ethel, Carrie, 
Florence and Mary. 

After marriage Mr. RufYner bought an 
80-acre farm : his wife inherited eighty 
acres from her father and the family con- 
tinued to reside in Walnut Township until 
1906, when Mr. Rufifner purchased his pres- 
ent comfortable residence at Pleasantville, 
from his brother, George Rufifner. He is a 



stockholder in the Pleasantville Bank. In 
politics he casts his vote with the Republi- 
can party. For many years he has been 
identified with the Masonic fraternity. 

JOHN J. SILBAUGH, M. D., a leading 
physician and surgeon at Lancaster, O., 
where he has been established since 1896, 
is in the enjoyment of a large and substan- 
tial practice founded on his proven profes- 
sional skill. He was born at Ironton, Law- 
rence County, O., in January, i860, and is a 
son of William and Mary (Everleigh) Sil- 
baugh. They were most estimable people, 
coming in early married life to Lawrence 
County and spending their subsequent lives 
there. The father was a German by birth 
and the mother was a native of Virginia. 

John J. Silbaugh attended the Ironton 
schools and passed through the high school 
before beginning the study of medicine un- 
der Drs. Maurice and Wilson, at Ironton. 
From under their instruction he entered 
Bellevue Hospital, New York City, where 
he was graduated in the class of 1886. He 
immediately located at Royalton, in Fair- 
field County, O., where he was engaged in 
medical practice until 1896, when he came 
to Lancaster which has remained his field 
of efTort and usefulness ever since. He is 
a member of both county and state medical 
societies and also of the American Medical 
Association. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the 
Elks. 

Dr. Silbaugh was married in 1886, to Miss 
Margaret Welch, who died in 1892, and was 
survived by two children, Carl and Mary. 
His second marriage was to Miss Gertrude 
Williamson, a daughter of Clark William- 
son, of Royalton, O., and four children have 
been born to them — two sons. Roy and 
Hugh, the former of whom died in 1903, 



536 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and two daughters, Gertrude and Bettie. 
Dr. and Mrs. Silbaugh are very hospitable 
and, as occasion offers, take part in the 
pleasant social life of the town. 

ISAAC GUNDY, a highly respected citi- 
zen and general farmer of Greenfield Town- 
ship, where he owns 206 acres of finely cul- 
tivated land, is one of the honored veterans 
of the great Civil War and a valued mem- 
ber of Ezra Ricketts Post, No. 246, at Car- 
roll, O., of which he has been chaplain. Mr. 
Gundy was born September 5, 1841, in Fair- 
field County, O., and is a son of Joseph 
and Harriet (Hutton) Gundy. 

Joseph Gundy was born in Liberty Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, where both the 
Gundys and Huttons were early settlers. 
He married Harriet Hutton, whose father 
had been a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War. Joseph Gundy moved into Green- 
field Township where, for many years, he 
was a representative citizen. He was twice 
married and of his children the following 
survive : Oliver, who lives at Hooker, O. ; 
Adaline, residing near Hooker, is the widow 
of William Griffith; Isaac; and Elizabeth, 
who lives near Hooker, and is the widow 
of John Bauer; and Asher J., who lives in 
Greenfield Township. The father of the 
above family died in 1891. He was a sin- 
cere Christian, a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and for a number of 
years a steward in the same. 

In attending the district school and help- 
ing on the home farm, Isaac Gundy grew 
to manhood and when the great civil con- 
flict broke out he was an early volunteer in 
his section, enlisting on December 14, 1861, 
in Co. I, 43d O. Vol. Inf. This company 
and regiment became a part of what was 
known as the Western Army and was un- 
der the command of General Rosecrans first 



and later of General Buell. Mr. Gundy was 
in many battles, including Island No. 10, 
Pittsburg Landing, luka, Tiptonville, New 
Madrid and Corinth, and in the last named 
battle was seriously wounded in his left leg, 
and obliged to spend six months in a- mili- 
tary hospital at St. Louis, Mo. He was 
honorably discharged April 6, 1863, and 
then returned to Fairfield County and has 
continued to live in Greenfield Township 
ever since. 

On October 11, 1866, Mr. Gundy was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Buchanan, who 
was born in Greenfield Township, a daugh- 
ter of Stephen Buchanan. She died Octo- 
ber 14, 1910, greatly missed by her family 
and wide circle of friends. She was an ac- 
tive and interested member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church at Carroll. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Gundy four children were born : 
Joseph P., who lives at Carroll; Neota B., 
who is the wife of Q. R. Lane, a prominent 
attorney at Columbus, O. ; Frank V., who 
is deceased ; and a babe that died in infancy. 
Mr. Gundy is a steward in the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Carroll. He casts his 
vote with the Republican party. 

GEORGE W. KUMLER, one of the 
prominent men of Basil, O., whose business 
activities have done much in the way of 
developing the town's commercial import- 
ance, was born in 1845, one mile north of 
Baltimore, O. He was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and at Lebanon, O., after 
which he taught school for ten years and 
during the last four years of teaching, was 
superintendent of the Basil schools. 

In 1875 Mr. Kumler resigned in order to 
embark in the mercantile business at Basil, 
on the corner of Main and Market Streets, 
opening with a stock of goods worth about 
$1000, and during the thirty-seven years of 




GEORGE W. KUMLER 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



539 



his mercantile life lias built up and retained 
a trade second to none in Fairfield County. 
His business is now conducted under the 
firm of The Kumler Store Co.. with a cap- 
ital stock of $10,000, on the incorporated 
plan. Mr. Kumler has been a very active 
citizen and has done much to permanently 
improve the town, having; built and re- 
modeled twenty-four Iniildings, and he has 
owned and sold more real estate than any 
person who ever lived in Basil, and addi- 
tionally has dealt considerably in western 
real estate. He owns two farms and has 
them well cultivated. Mr. Kumler served 
three years as township clerk, two years as 
township treasurer, and six years as district 
school director. 

In 1875 Mr. Kumler v\as married to Mary 
M. Leitnaker, and they have one son, Earl 
E., who is associated in business with his 
father. Mr. Kumler has always shown a 
liberal public spirit and has participated in 
all important affairs of the community and 
by influence and subscription, has helped 
every laudable industry started at Basil. He 
has contributed liberally to schools and re- 
ligious bodies and for twenty-seven years 
has served officially in the Reformed church. 

SILAS W. COURTRIGHT, proprietor 
of the Pomona Dairy in Greenfield Towm- 
ship, who is also profitably engaged in farm- 
ing and the growing of fruit, is a prominent 
citizen in this section and a member of an 
old family, many generations of which have 
been born on American soil. The origin 
and early history of the Courtright family 
has been investigated and the account pub- 
lished in pamphlet form by a member of the 
family, Mr. Samuel W. Courtright, of Cir- 
cleville, Ohio, from which work we will 
have occasion to quote largely in the pres- 
ent article. 



The published history above mentioned 
shows that the Courtright family had for its 
earliest known ancestor a Spanish noble- 
man by the name of Cortez, who was a con- 
temporary and neighbor of John Calvin, the 
great religious reformer, the latter residing 
just across the border line dividing the two 
countries of Fraiice and Spain. Calvin's 
life, roughly speaking, covered a little more 
than the first half of the i6th century 
( 1 509-1 564), which date or period marks 
chronologically the beginning of the Court- 
right family. 

In the tremendous religious revolution 
which came as a result of Calvin's teach- 
ings, Cortez, the Spanish nobleman, took 
an active and prominent part, renouncing 
the Church of State and becoming a Calvin- 
istic protestant. His renunciation of the 
State Church and adoption of the new doc- 
trines was public and he was one of the 
leaders among those who, proceeding from 
zeal to intolerance, destroyed church prop- 
erty and razed church edifices, erecting on 
their sites Protestant houses of worship. 
Of course when these proceedings came to 
the ears of the Spanish government it was 
not long in taking military action against 
the revolutionists, and the government be- 
ing much the stronger, the latter were 
quickly worsted and compelled to fly, those 
fortunate enough to escape with their lives, 
losing most or all of their property. 

With these refugees went Cortez, retir- 
ing first into Flanders and then into Hol- 
land, and there upon the river Lys they built 
a city which they named Kortryk, "in honor 
of Cortez, whose name had been changed 
to conform to the Dutch idea of the mean- 
ing of the word, and he, being a nobleman, 
was entitled to the prefix 'van' or 'von' — 
his Dutch name being 'van Kortryk.' " 

As history records, Spain pursued her 



540 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



enmity so far as to invade Holland with her 
armies and during the bloody period that 
followed these French Huguenots per- 
formed heroes' parts in fighting for what 
they deemed the true faith and for the lib- 
erty to worship God according to their con- 
science. In this struggle they had strong 
allies in the Scotch covenanters, who fre- 
quently came to their aid and "unitedly they 
would sweep down upon the Spanish sol- 
diery and drive them from their soil." 

"During the hundred or more years im- 
mediately following the arrival of van Kor- 
tryk into Holland," says the history we have 
quoted, "his descendants were blessed with 
much of this world's goods; but, at length, 
tiring of almost incessant warfare, some of 
them — Jan Bastiaensen Kortryk, his sons 
and his brother Michael, disposed of their 
property, and, having received glowing ac- 
counts of the new Harlem in the New 
World, concluded to brave the wrath of Old 
Ocean and seek homes where there would 
be less strife and religious persecution." 

On April i6, 1663, Jan or John Bastiaen- 
sen Kortryk, his three sons and daughter, 
with their families, together with his 
brother Michael, and his family, and some 
Dutch friends and French Huguenots, 
refugees, took passage on the good ship 
Brindled Cow, Jan Bergen, master, and set 
sail for America, which in due time they 
reached safely. The passage, it is recorded, 
cost the family 204 florins and ten stivers, 
of about $81.80, money at that time, how- 
ever, it must be remembered, having about 
five times as much purchasing power as it 
has today, which would make it come to 
over $400, according to present valuations. 
Owing to the loose system of personal 
nomenclature which prevailed among the 
Dutch in those days — ^Jan Bastiaensen 
Kortright, for instance, being commonly 



called Jan Bastiaensen only, dropping his 
surname of Kortryk — much difficulty was 
experienced in tracing the early history of 
this family in Holland. It was found, how- 
ever, that the full and correct name was 
always made use of in signing or making 
out legal documents and on church records, 
owing to which circumstance a correct ac- 
count was finally obtained. 

Descending a generation in the present 
family line, we come to Cornelis Jansen (or 
"the son of Jan"), who emigrated with his 
father, Jan Bastiaensen, and who was born 
in 1645, at Beest, Gelderland. In 1665 he 
married Metje, daughter of Bastiaen Elys- 
sen and widow of Claes Teunisz van Apple- 
dorn, a lady who, after Jansen's early death 
in 1689, proved her ability both to manage 
his business and enhance his estate, the use 
of which, under his will, dated Feb. 25th of 
that 3^ear, she was to enjoy until her death 
or re-marriage. Having been a trooper, he 
gave his eldest son Johannes (John) "the 
best horse and the best saddle and the best 
boots, and the best pistols and holsters and 
carbine and cutlas." He must have been 
his favorite child, for, over and above his 
share of the estate, he left him "the lot of 
land at Joshem Pieters, to-wit, the lot by 
the great gate." He left four children, be- 
sides Johannes — above named. — ^who were 
as follows : Laurens ; Aefie, who married 
Jonas Lewis, an Englishman, in 1688 (be- 
coming a widow, she married Marcus Tie- 
baut in 1698) ; and Annetie, who married 
Adrian Quackenbos. The widow was usu- 
ally called Metje Cornelius, sometimes 
Metje Jansen, and sometimes Metje Bas- 
tiaen (from her father). She drew from 
the common lands in the several divisions, 
a considerable acreage, but in her title 
papers it was always Metje Kortright. In 
the last years of the XVII century the name 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



541 



of Kortryk was so far anglicised as to be 
spelled and pronounced Kortriglit, and we 
can find no one of the family who was 
known as Kortrj-k after the year A. D. 1700. 

Though Johannes Cornelis Kortright 
(John Cornelius) is not in the direct line of 
descent under present consideration, we 
will here state briefly that he was born in 
1673 and in 1701 married Wyntie, daughter 
of Cornelis Dyckman. He died in 171 1 and 
in 1717 his widow became the second wife 
of Zacharias Sickels. Johannes left three 
children, namely : Metje, wlio married John 
Bussing; Nicholas, and Jannetie, who mar- 
ried Johannes Van Wyck. Nicholas be- 
came constable of the town in 1729 and 
afterwards collector. In 1731 he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Eide van Huyse, of 
Bloomingdale. On the death of his uncle 
Laurens, in 1726, the Kortright lands were 
divided, his portion being loi acres. He 
accumulated considerable other real estate 
and at his death in 175 1 he left a large 
estate. He had two sons and one daughter, 
viz: John, born in 1732; Nicholas, born in 
1743, and Frances, born in 1741, who mar- 
ried John Norris, a peruke (wig) maker. 
Nicholas, a sailmaker, owned property in 
New York and was a vestryman of Trinity 
church from 1787 to 1792. He died in 1820, 
leaving children, two of whom were Nicho- 
las and James, but of his immediate family 
we can learn but little. 

Laurens Cornelis Kortright, son of Cor- 
nelis and grandson of Jan or John Bastiaen- 
sen, was born in 168 1 and is the third an- 
cestor in direct line to the subject of our 
sketch. He was married in 1703 to Helena, 
the daughter of Capt. Johannes Benson, but 
soon becoming a widower, he married, 
about 1708, Margaret, the daughter of 
Arent Bussing. Laurens served as con- 
stable in 1708-9. He succeeded to the 



homestead on Harlem Lane, which at his 
death fell in the division to his widow, Mar- 
garet (called Grieta), together with other 
lands, leaving her quite a landed estate. 
The old homestead descended to her son 
Lawrence (the Laurens anglicised). 

Laurens Kortright's children by his first 
wife were Cornelius and Elizabeth (she 
married Gilbert Garrison, of New York, in 
1753) : and, by his second wife, Aaron, Law- 
rence, Eve (who married Adolph Benson), 
Mattie (who married Abraham Myer), and 
Susannah (who married Aaron Myer). 

Lawrence was the last of the name to hold 
the old homestead; he was never married 
and died in 1761. After his death the home- 
stead, which was located on what is now 
6th Avenue, its north corner touching iioth 
street. New York City, became the subject 
of litigation, which was begun by one Val- 
entine Nutter and was only terminated near 
the close of the centur)', when a compromise 
was efifected between the parties. 

Aaron Kortright, son of Laurens, mar- 
ried Margaret, daughter of John Dela- 
mater. He also became a large land owner, 
and, having secured 241 acres of land in 
Orange county, he moved thither and re- 
sided there to the end of his life. Many of 
his descendants are now living in western 
New York and Pennsylvania. 

Cornelius Kortright, eldest son of Lau- 
rens Cornelius, was born in 1704. He mar- 
ried Hester, daughter of John Cannon, of 
New York, and had six children — Law- 
rence, John, Cornelius, Maria, Helena and 
Elizalieth, of whom the last mentioned be- 
came the wife of Hon. James Monroe, third 
President of the United States. Lawrence 
was a wealthy and prominent merchant 
and one of the founders of the Chamber of 
Commerce in 1768. 

John Kortright, son of Laurens and 



542 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



brother of Lawrence, was the next direct 
ancestor in the branch of the family we are 
considering. When a young man he be- 
came an agriculturist. He served thro' the 
Revolutionary war and was sometimes 
known as Capt. John. His wife in maiden- 
hood was Margaret Denmark, of whom we 
have no further information. 

The next in line of descent was John's 
son, Abraham van Kortright (or Court- 
right, according to the modern spelling of 
the name), was also a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. He married Effa Drake, who 
was a native of the south of Scotland, and 
their family consisted of five children — 
three sons and two daughters, — John, 
Abraham van, Jesse D., Margaret and 
Christiana. Margaret became the wife of 
Walter McFarland and Christiana married 
a Mr. Wheeler. In the year 1801 or 1802, 
Abraham moved with his family to Ohio. 
They came over the mountains from North- 
umberland county, Penn. (their former 
home), in two two-horse wagons, bringing 
with them such household goods as they 
could not well dispense with ; and they also 
brought a cow. On their way they re- 
mained over night at Lancaster, which was 
then but a small village. They put up at 
the "Tavern," a two-story hewed log house 
(regarded then as a very imposing struct- 
ure), immediately in the rear of which was 
a stout stockade, where the horses, wagons, 
cow and other property were enclosed for 
the night, secure from the depredations of 
wild animals. 

The next morning the Courtright fam- 
ily bade adieu to the tavern and started in 
a northwesterly course. They plodded 
along, covering, as they supposed, about 
fifteen miles. Night coming on, and the 
locality pleasing them, they camped for the 
night, as was usual (and necessary), one 



of the male members of the family doing 
guard duty. The next morning the sun 
shone brightly, the landscape was so invit- 
ing and the locality being about what they 
were looking for, they determined to locate 
right there, and they did so. A log cabin 
was erected without delay, and they were 
now at their own home in the "Northwest 
Territory." The farm upon which the 
cabin was built has been owned by, and has 
been the home of some members of the 
Courtright family from that day to this. 

At the time of this migration Abraham 
van Courtright, or, as otherwise, called 
Abraham van Camp (or van Compen) 
Courtright, was about 54 years of age. He 
was born June 4, 1749 (elsewhere stated 
as July 8, 1748), and his migration to Ohio 
is said to have occurred in 1802. The place 
where he and his family stopped was near 
what is known as the Betzer church, and 
they purchased this property partly from 
the government, which had at that time a 
land office at Chillicothe, and partly at 
second-hand. During the fall and winter 
of that year they prepared it for occupa- 
tion in the following spring. The land has 
now been owned in the family for no years. 

.Abraham van Courtright was a strong 
man intellectually and as such was known 
far and wide. For several years from 1806 
he served as a justice of the peace. His 
death occurred June 12, 1825. John was 
the eldest of his children and was married 
when he came to this country. He was a 
man of strong mind, great physical en- 
durance and great business tact, and he be- 
came one of the largest land owners in this 
section. He continued in business up to 
the time of his death, when he had attained 
a green old age. Many of his descendants 
are now living. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



543 



Jesse laid out the village of Greencastle. 
He left but few descendants. 

Abram van (son of Abraham van) and 
grandfather of Silas W Kortright, was not 
a man of great physical strength, but was 
a careful, shrewd business man, very care- 
ful about his dress and also about his busi- 
ness. He was married to Elizabeth RIcFar- 
iand in 1809. The McFarlands came from 
Dauphon county, Penn., in 1798, and lo- 
cated near the old Hocking bridge. They 
were of Scotch-Irish descent, which race 
has furnished at least six Presidents to the 
United States besides many other remark- 
able men. The McFarland family con- 
sisted of six sons and one daughter, all of 
whom were brought up in the above men- 
tioned vicinity. 

The Courtright family were undoubtedly 
the founders of Presbyterianism in this sec- 
tion ; the church at Greencastle owes its 
existence to this family, and probably the 
church at Lithopolis also. The grandfather 
of our subject was one of the building com- 
mittee that built the church at Greencastle 
and gave liberally of his means towards its 
erection. Before its dedication, however, 
he was called away by Death, on the 29th 
of January, 1862. His wife survived him 
eight years, passing away in 1870. 

Zephaniah Courtright, son of Abraham 
van Courtright, was born on the family 
homestead in Bloom township. He resided 
all his life on the same farm, on which also 
he died when in his 78th year. He was 
engaged both in farming and stock raising, 
feeding cattle for the market, which, indeed, 
was his main business. He married Sarah 
Williamson, who was also a native of 
Bloom township, and they had a family of 
eight children, six of whom are now living, 
namely: Silas W. of Greenfield township, 
whose name appears at the head of this 



article; Elizabeth, widow of Andrew Mus- 
ser, late of Lancaster (was one time treas- 
urer of Fairfield county, serving four years; 
also served as president of the Fairfield 
County Agricultural Society, his widow 
now residing in Lancaster) ; Effie, wife of 
R. V. Allen, of Lancaster, O. ; Felicia, wife 
of H. J Knisley, of Lancaster; Abram V. 
and Mary, both residents of Bloom town- 
ship, this county. The father, Zephaniah 
Courtright, was a useful and active citizen 
and a member of the Republican party. 

Silas W. Courtright, proprietor of the 
Pomona Dairy, was born on his father's 
farm in Bloom township, Fairfield county, 
Ohio, July 17, 1846. He was educated at 
Pleasantville Academy and at Blooming- 
burg Academy, in Fayette county, Ohio, 
and has been a reader and student all his 
life, being a man well informed upon gen- 
eral topics and keeping in close touch with 
current events. In his youth he received 
a good agricultural training, and as a dairy- 
man, agriculturist and fruit grower has 
been eminently successful. His dairy is 
one of the best known in Fairfield county. 
He has 18 cows all of a good breed and 
operates a regular milk route in Lancaster. 
His main farm consists of 120 acres and he 
has 18 additional acres in the vicinity, mak- 
ing 138 acres all told. His property is in 
excellent condition, the land being highly 
cultivated — such of it as is devoted to rais- 
ing crops, at least. He has a large orchard, 
in which he raises various kinds of apples, 
and also devotes ten acres to raising other 
kinds of fruit, in which line of industry he 
has been very successful. Mr. Courtright 
belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry at 
Carroll. Ohio, and like his father, is a mem- 
ber of the Republican party. He takes a 
warm interest in educational matters and is 
at present serving as a member of the 



544 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



school board of Greenfield twp., having held 
that position for several years. Enterpris- 
ing and public spirited, he is a good busi- 
ness man, and enjoys the confidence of the 
entire community. 

He was married June 15, 1882, to Miss 
Jennie Trimble, of Greenfield township, 
daughter of Thomas Trimble, who died 
when his daughter, now Mrs. Courtright, 
was a mere child. Of the five children born 
to this union, three survive, namely: Mary 
and Fay, twins, residing at home; and Effie 
L., who is a student at Ohio University at 
Athens, Ohio. 

FRANK P. ATKINSON, M. D., phy- 
sician and surgeon, who has been estab- 
lished professionally at Millersport, O., 
since July, 1903, and is in the enjoyment of 
a lucrative practice, was born on the old 
home farm near Pataskala, Licking County, 
O., April I, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and 
Julia (Ewing) Atkinson. 

Joseph Atkinson was born also in Lick- 
ing County, where he still resides on the old 
farm on which his father, Samuel Atkin- 
son settled when he came to Ohio from 
New Hampshire. Samuel Atkinson was a 
farmer and wool grower and spent the 
larger part of his life in Licking County. 
Joseph Atkinson married Julia Ewing, who 
was a daughter of Dr. James Ewing, who 
was a well known physician at Hebron, O. 
To the above marriage seven children were 
born, namely: Charles, who lives at Patas- 
kala; Florence, who is the wife of George 
Newkirk, of Detroit, Mich. ; Frank P. ; and 
Joseph B., Harry, James and Carlton, all of 
whom live in Licking County. 

Frank P. Atkinson was reared in Lick- 
ing County and in 1895 was creditably grad- 
uated from the Pataskala High School. 
He continued his education in Wooster 



LTniversity, where he was gradated in 1900 
with the degree of A. B. During the Span- 
ish-American War he was connected with 
the hospital corps for eight months, at 
Camp Alger, Camp Meade and Camp Mc- 
Kenzie, completing his senior year at 
Wooster after the war was over. In 1900 
he entered the Ohio Medical University 
at Columbus and from that well known in- 
stitution was graduated in the spring of 
1903. He came then to Millersport, where, 
for a short time he was associated in prac- 
tice with Dr. T. W. LeCrone and has been 
alone since the death of the latter. In 1907 
he opened his present oiifice and in 191 1 
erected his handsome residence near it. 
He was one of the organizers of the Millers- 
port Bank Company and one of the first 
board of directors but subsequently sold 
his stock. 

On December 2, 1907, Dr. Atkinson was 
married to Miss Fairice Klinck, a daughter 
of the late Edward and Emma (Messmore) 
Klinck. He belongs to the Fairfield 
County and the Ohio State Medical Socie- 
ties and is identified w-ith the Masons, Odd 
Fellows and Knights of Pythias, all at 
Millersport. Politically he is a Republican. 
Dr. and Mrs. Atkinson attend the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. 

HARRY E. STRICKLER, who is a well 
known citizen and successful farmer of 
Clear Creek Township, resides on his ex- 
cellent farm of 100 acres and owns a second 
farm containing 82 acres, which lies in 
Madison Township. He was born in the 
latter township, January 16, 1875, and is a 
son of John Nelson and Emma (Eversole) 
Strickler. 

The parents of Mr. Strickler were born 
in Madison Township, their respective 
fathers, Isaac Strickler and Charles D. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



545 



Eversole, having been early settlers in Fair- 
field County. John Nelson Strickler was 
a farmer all his active life and was a mem- 
ber of the Reformed church. His death 
occurred in 1899. He married Emma Ever- 
sole, who survives and lives at Lancaster, 
O. They had three children : Harry E. ; 
Grace, who is the wife of G. M. Trimmer; 
and Roy H. 

After completing the common school 
course, Harry E. Strickler entered a com- 
mercial college at Tiffin, O., and afterward 
settled down to an agricultural life. In 
1897 he bought his present home farm from 
David Cunningham and has kept up the 
improvements and has carried on agricult- 
ural operations along the most improved 
lines. 

In 1896 Mr. Strickler was married to 
Miss Alice Kern, who is one of the follow- 
ing family born to her parents, \\'i]liam T. 
and Mary (Whitehurst) Kern; Albert, 
Harry, Harley, Ralph, Laura, Helen, Alice 
and Grace. Laura, who is deceased was 
the wife of Edward Clendenen. Helen is 
the wife of Emmett ShaefTer. Mr. and Mrs. 
Strickler have two children — Ross Nelson, 
and Malinda Catherine. They attend the 
Reformed church. In politics Mr. Strickler 
is nominally a Democrat but he is an in- 
telligent, thinking, well informed man and 
does not permit party ties to influence his 
judgment. 

GARY ADEN SWISHER, dealer in hay 
and grain at Millersport, where he operates 
a erain elevator, is one of the substantial 
business men of this part of tiie county, 
where he is well known and respected. He 
was born in Licking County, O., February 
28, 1864, a son of John P. and Sarah 
(Green) Swisher. 

John P. Swisher was also a native of 



Licking County, being the son of Joseph 
Swisher, a pioneer settler there, whose chil- 
dren, in addition to John P. (who was the 
fourth-born) were : Rhoda, widow of Ira 
Graeham ; Sarah, widow of O. F. Wil- 
son; Nancy, widow of John Whitehead; 
Stephen, Sinnett and Mary. John P. 
Swisher, who spent his active years in 
farming, died in Licking County Novem- 
ber 30, 1909, at the age of J2 years. His 
wife Sarah, was born near Newark, O., a 
daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Swisher) 
Green, now resides with her daughter 
Mary, who is the wife of George Stenson, 
of Hebron, O. 

Carey Aden Swisher, the only son and 
eldest born of his parents' two children, 
grew to manhood on the home farm in Lick- 
ing County. His people were in comfort- 
able circumstances and he was afforded 
good educational opportunities, enjoying 
two years of university training at Dela- 
ware, Ohio and one year at Granville, O. 
His first business position was that of book- 
keeper for Kibber's Stove Foundry at New- 
ark, O., where he remained for 18 months, 
after which he settled on a farm in Licking 
County that had been a gift from his father. 
He operated that farm for 15 years and is 
still its owner. It contains 129 acres of 
productive land and lies in an excellent 
situation 

In 1901 Mr. Swisher entered into partner- 
ship in his present line of business with C. 
A. Pence, who had previously been in the 
grain business at Hebron and owned an 
elevator there. In 1907 they erected the 
elevator at Millersport, of which Mr. 
Swisher is now the proprietor. The busi- 
ness was carried on successfully until Jan- 
uary 22, 1912, when the partnership was 
dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Swisher 
retaining the plant and business at Millers- 



546 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



port and Mr. Pence returning to Hebron, 
where the latter has resumed his former 
interests. Mr. Swisher is a wide awake 
business man, honest, energetic and pro- 
gressive — such a man, in fact, as makes a 
good citizen wherever he is found. He is 
a member of the Masonic Order, belonging 
to the Blue Lodge at Hebron and to the 
Chapter and Council at Newark, O. In 
politics he is a Democrat. 

On October 20, 1886, he married Miss 
Florence Stoolfire, a daughter of Charles 
and Emily (Sprague) Stoolfire, of Newark, 
O., and they have a daughter, Louise. Mr. 
and Mrs. Swisher are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church and take a helpful 
interest in its various activities. They are 
well known and popular in Millersport 
society. 

PETER HEVVETSON, M. D., both as 
man and physician, has been known and 
respected in Fairfield County, O., for many 
years, came to Amanda in 1858 and this 
place has been his continuous home ever 
since, his longest period of absence being 
three years spent in the Union army dur- 
ing the Civil War. He was born in Wig- 
ton, Scotland, October 25, 1832, and was 
an infant when his parents came to the 
United States. 

Joseph Hewetson, father of Dr. Hewet- 
son, was a graduate of the University of 
Edinboro and practiced medicine in his na- 
tive country. He suffered from inflamma- 
tory rheumatism to such an extent that he 
decided to change his occupation and as a 
result, moved with his family to America 
and for the first few months after landing, 
was located at Pittsburg, Pa. He then 
took his family to Canonsburg, where he 
left them some six months while seeking a 



favorable location, finally settling on a 
farm in Ohio. For some years he devoted 
himself exclusively to agriculture, includ- 
ing the raising of sheep, during this time 
successfully concealing the fact that he was 
a professional man. A new threshing ma- 
chine, a revelation to the people of that 
day, was brought into the vicinity and Dr. 
Hewetson, with others, went to see it in 
operation. An elderly man in cleaning up 
about the strange machine, inadvertently 
had his arm caught and before it could be 
stopped he was badly injured. All of Dr. 
Hewetson's professional skill was awake 
and after tying up the arm in order to pre- 
vent the flow of blood, he sent home for his 
surgical instruments and when they came, 
successfully amputated the arm, an opera- 
tion little known or resorted to in this sec- 
tion, at that time. From that occasion on 
he was practically forced to resume practice 
and subsequently rented his farm and de- 
voted himself once more to professional 
work. In 1850, however, he was forced to 
retire entirely from activity of any kind, on 
account of heart affection, and the death of 
this able, kind and worthy man occurred 
five years later. His widow survived him 
for two years. Her maiden name was Isa- 
bella Hannah and she was born in Wigton, 
Scotland. The following children were 
born to them : John, deceased, who was a 
physician and surgeon at Amanda, O. ; 
Peter; Walter, deceased, who was a soldier 
in the Civil War, a member of the 15th O. 
Vol. Inf.; Mary Isabella, who makes her 
home with her brothers; Alexander H., de- 
ceased, who also was a medical practitioner 
at St. Clairsville; Joseph E., who lost his 
life in the battle of Shiloh, during the Civil 
War, falling by the side of his brother Wal- 
ter, who vainly tried to preserve his life; 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



547 



Thomas L., deceased, who also was a phy- 
sician at St. Clairsville; and a babe that died 
at birth. 

Peter Hewetson was reared in Behnont 
County, O., and obtained his medical train- 
ing in the Ohio Medical College at Cincin- 
nati, receiving his degree, and then located 
at St. Clairsville. In 1858 he entered into 
practice at Amanda, as mentioned above 
and when the Civil War broke out was in 
the midst of a large and lucrative practice. 
This did not deter him, however, from his 
patriotic course. He recruited Co. I., 43d 
O. Vol. Inf., in which he was commissioned 
a lieutenant in December, 1861, and re- 
mained in the service for three years. He 
was with his regiment in the Army of the 
Tennessee when it took part in many bat- 
tles. He was at New Madrid. Mo., at Fort 
Pillow and luka. all through the Atlanta 
campaign and at the battle of Jonesboro. 
He was honorably discharged in December. 
1864, and returned to Amanda where his 
subsequent useful life has been spent. He 
has always been active in those essentials 
demanded of good citizenship and is highly 
regarded by his neighbors and fellow citi- 
zens, to whom he has been intimately 
known for so many years. 

In 1867 Dr. Hewetson was married to 
Miss Effie A. Dum, who was born at Logan, 
O.. a daughter of Samuel Dum. who was 
the builder of what is known as the Falls 
Mills at Logan, and later of a mill at Aman- 
da, operating the latter for some years. 
One daughter and four sons still survive of 
his children : Mrs. Hewetson ; Israel, who 
lives in Tennessee ; William J., who is one 
of the best known educators of Fairfield 
County, for fifteen years being a professor 
in Crawfis Institute, and now a resident of 
Madison Township; and Thomas, who lives 
in Clear Creek Township. Dr. and Mrs. 



Hewetson have had the following children: 
Minnie, who is a teacher in the Boys Indus- 
trial School ; Mary B., who is an instructor 
in music in the Amanda and Ashville pub- 
lic schools; Joseph Edgar, who is associated 
with his father in the practice of medicine 
at Amanda; and William L., who follows 
farming in Clear Creek Township. He 
married Nora Neigh and they have one son, 
Joseph. Dr. Peter Hewetson is a member 
of Amanda Lodge, F. & A. M. and also of 
the Odd Fellows at Amanda. In his 
churchly relation he is a Presbyterian and 
is an elder. In his earlier years he was an 
enthusiastic Democrat and was active in 
promoting party success but was never an 
office seeker. 

GEORGE S. GRIFFITHS, a representa- 
tive citizen of Clear Creek Township, where 
he owns a well cultivated farm of fifty acres, 
was born in Amanda Township, Novem- 
ber 5. 1855. and is a son of William and 
Priscilla (Welshamer) Griffiths. 

In all probability the Griffiths family is of 
Welsh extraction. Isaac Griffiths, the 
grandfather, settled at Lancaster, O.. prior 
to 1818, as in that year his son William 
was born there, in a house that then occu- 
pied the present site of the court-house of 
the present day. William Griffiths was a 
farmer all his active life. He married Pris- 
cilla Welshamer. who was born one mile 
northeast of the present village of Amanda, 
and eight children were born to them, 
namely: Mary. Edward. Emanuel. Emma, 
George S.. Clark. Henry and Alice. Both 
Mary and Alice are deceased, the former 
having been the wife of George Bursler. 
Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths were members of the 
Lutheran church. He was a Republican in 
politics. During the last year of the Civil 
War he was drafted for army service but 



548 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



his regiment advanced no farther than 
Zanesville, C, when hostihties came to an 
end. 

George S. Griffiths obtained his educa- 
tion in what was known as the Leathers 
school, in the neighborhood of his father's 
farm. Afterward he assisted his father 
until he was twenty-three years old and 
then rented his present farm for some 
twenty years, purchasing it in 1899. Here 
he has carried on farming and stock raising 
ever since and is numbered with the suc- 
cessful agriculturists of this section. His 
residence was erected about 1830 and was 
the first brick house built in Clear Creek 
Township. 

Mr. Griffiths was married in 1879 to Miss 
Mary Devoll, a daughter of Joseph and 
Sarah (Brown) Devoll and a granddaugh- 
ter of Levi Devoll and William Brown. 
The father of Mrs. Griffiths was born in 
Noble County, O., and the mother in Mon- 
roe County, and they came to Fairfield 
County in 1867, where the father engaged 
in farming. Mrs. Griffiths has two broth- 
ers and two sisters: Henry, Frank, Emma 
and Estella. Emma is the wife of Samuel 
Fisher and Estella is the wife of W. M. 
Pinnix. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths have two 
children : Florence, who married Otto Dil- 
lon, of Lancaster, and has one son, Ralph ; 
and Otto, who married Grace Thomas. In 
politics Mr. Griffiths is a Republican. He 
belongs to Scipio Lodge, No. 255, Knights 
of Pythias, at Stoutsville. With his family 
he attends the Methodist Episcopal church. 

• RICHARD MIESSE, general farmer 
and stock raiser in Amanda Township, and 
a well known and respected citizen of this 
section, was born in Amanda Township, 
June 8, 1853, and is a son of William and 
Rebecca (Moyer) Miesse. 



William Miesse was born in Berks 
County, Pa., and from there came to Ohio 
in early manhood, settling in Pickaway 
County. Later he moved to Amanda 
Township, Fairfield County, where he 
owned 240 acres of land. During the clos- 
ing twenty years of life he was a resident 
of Marion County, Kan. He was identified 
with the Masonic lodge at Amanda, and 
was a member of the Evangelical church. 
To his first marriage one daughter was 
born, Rachel, who is now deceased. His 
second union was with Rebecca Moyer, 
who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 
Kansas. Her father, George Moyer, moved 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in 
Walnut Township, Pickaway County. To 
the second marriage the following children 
were born : Daniel, who is deceased, lived 
in Amanda Township; George, who is an 
Evangelical preacher, lives at Circleville, 
O. ; Sarah Jane, who is Mrs. Kitching, lives 
in Coffey County, Kan. ; Isabel, who is the 
wife of Monroe Lape, of Stoutsville, O. ; 
Richard; Flora, who is the wife of Samuel 
Burkholder, lives in Kansas ; Wesley, who 
is a resident of Columbus, O. ; Lavina, who 
is the wife of John Ferguson, lives in Kan- 
sas; Emma, who is the wife of Fred Griffith, 
and also lives in Kansas ; Hannah and Eliza- 
beth, both of whom died young; William 
(i), who died in infancy; William (2), who 
lives in Kansas ; and Noah, who died in 
California. 

Richard Miesse was reared in Amanda 
Township and attended the district schools. 
Several years after his parents moved to 
Kansas he joined them there and remained 
in that State for two years, but in the fall of 
1888 returned to his native neighborhood 
and subsequently bought thirty-seven acres 
of the old Dysinger place, on which he took 
up his residence in 1909. He carries on gen- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



549 



eral agriculture. In 1873 he was married 
to Lydia Higginbotham, who died without 
issue. In 1885 he married Miss Samantha 
Smith, who was born and reared in Clear 
Creek Township, a daughter of Abram and 
Mary Ann (Kesler) Smith. The former 
was born in 1829, in Amanda Township, a 
son of John Smith, who came from Pennsyl- 
vania. Abram Smith died in 1906, and his 
burial was in Dutch Hollow. His widow 
survives and is now eighty years of age. 
Mrs. Miesse is the eldest born of the fol- 
lowing family: Nancy Jane, wife of Salem 
Aldenderfer, of Oklahoma; Sarah Alice, 
wife of William Myers, of- Franklin County, 
O. ; Rebecca, wife of William Chambers, of 
Wood County, O. ; Emma Elizabeth, de- 
ceased, formerly wife of Benjamin Lape ; 
Anna, deceased, formerly the wife of 
Homer Aldenderfer; William Harrison, of 
Wood County; Charles Luther, deceased; 
and James Edward, who lives with his 
mother in Clear Creek Township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miesse have one daughter, Stella, who 
lives at home. Politically Mr. Miesse is a 
Republican. He has been identified with 
the Masonic lodge at Amanda since he was 
twenty-one years of age. 

ALBERT D. MURPHY, who resides on 
his valuable farm of 184 acres, which lies in 
Sections 20 and 21, Walnut Township, 
easily approached on the Millcrsport and 
Thurston turnpike road, is a well known 
and representative farmer and stock raiser 
in this section and a highly respected citi- 
zen. He was born December 2, 1851, on 
the same farm in Fairfield County as was 
his father, and is a son of William and 
Mary Jane (Cherry) Murphy. 

William Murphy was a son of William 
Murphy, who came to Fairfield County 
from Maryland and was of Irish parentage. 



He located on what is now known as Sum- 
merland Beach, which was then wooded 
down to the brink of the water. He en- 
tered 400 acres and spent the rest of his life 
there, clearing a portion and improving it. 
Some 200 acres of his land was found to be 
under water and he was given water dam- 
ages from the state when the reservoir was 
built and that water land he never sold. 
His son William came into possession of 
his father's property and during his lifetime 
added to the original. He died n 1892 at 
the age of seventy-three years. He married 
Mary Jane Cherry, who was born on an ad- 
joining farm, August 22, 1830 and died in 
her seventy-eighth year. Her father, 
Thomas Cherry came to Fairfield County 
from Pennsylvania and was of German 
parentage. Eleven children were born to 
William and Mary Jane Murphy, three of 
whom died young. Albert D. is the eldest 
of the survivors. Catherine is the widow 
of Thomas Gill. Charles, Mary, Emma, 
Thomas, all reside in Fairfield County, 
May being the wife of John W. Frey, and 
Emma the wife of George Taylor. The 
youngest two, William and Frank, live at 
Columbus, O. 

Albert D. Murphy grew to manhood on 
the home farm and after attending the dis- 
trict schools became a student in the Fair- 
field Union Academy. Farming has been 
his business, more or less, all his life. He 
inherited fifty-two acres of the old home 
farm which he traded for 108 acres of his 
present farm, in 1894, and bought the re- 
mainder of it from Jeremiah Dennis. For 
six years he was in the hardware and 
grocery business at Millersport and then 
sold to Peter B. Cool and returned to farm 
life, renting for one year in Licking County 
and then coming back to Fairfield County. 
While he has never been led away by prom- 



550 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ises of great financial returns through 
changed methods of land cultivation, he 
has always been ready to investigate and 
when he has been convinced has adopted 
changes which have appealed to his good 
sense. This practical method of proceeding 
has resulted very satisfactorily and he is 
numbered with the successful farmers and 
stock growers of Walnut Township. 

On March 13, 1877, Mr. Murphy was 
married to Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter 
of Elijah and Clara A. (Walter) Smith, the 
latter of whom came from Pennsylvania 
with her father, Joseph Walter. Elijah 
Smith was a son of Warren Smith, who was 
Mrs. Murphy have ten children, namely : 
Catherine, who is the wife of Charles Sny- 
der, of Walnut Township ; and they have 
a pioneer in Fairfield County. Mr. and 
two children — Mary Jane and Albert: 
Maud, who is the wife of Wilfred Beery, of 
Walnut Township and they have five chil- 
dren — Janet, Theron, Beecher and Pren- 
dell, and an unnamed infant; and A\'illiam, 
Fred R., Addie, Joseph B., Robert, Albert, 
Rex and John F. Mr. Murphy thus has 
plenty of help on his farm, all his sons re- 
siding at home. He has given them all the 
advantages in his power and they are a 
credit to him. He belongs to the Masons 
at Millersport and the Knights of Pythias 
at Thurston. Politically he is a Republican. 

JOSEPH EDGAR HEWETSON, 
M. D., who has been engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine at Amanda, O., since 1896, 
in association with his father. Dr. Peter 
Hewetson, was born at Amanda, December 
28, 1872. He is a son of Dr. Peter and 
Effie A. (Dum) Hewetson. 

Joseph Edgar Hewetson was reared in 
the village of Amanda and after graduating 
from the local High School, he naturally 



turned to the study of medicine, in which 
his father and grandfather had been emi- 
nent and to which profession a number of 
his other kindred had devoted themselves 
through life. In 1896 he was graduated 
from the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of Cincinnati and since then has been 
associated with his father at Amanda, under 
the firm style of Drs. P. & J. E. Hewetson. 
He is a member of the Fairfield County 
Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical 
Association, and the American Medical As- 
sociation. 

On March 28, 1908, Dr. Hewetson was 
married to Miss Mary E. Griner, who was 
reared at Amanda, O., a daughter of Ed- 
win Griner, and they have one daughter, 
Jeanette. Dr. Hewetson is a member of 
Amanda Lodge, F. 81 A. M., and of Center 
Star Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Dr. and 
Mrs. Hewetson are members of the Pres- 
byterian church. 

LEANDER HAY, who is one of the 
leading citizens of Madison Township, for- 
merly a justice of the peace and township 
clerk, owns 300 acres of valuable land here 
and successfully carries on general farming. 
He was born in Amanda Township, Fair- 
field County. O.. April 14, 1841, and is a son 
of Peter and Christiana (Platter) Hay. 

Peter Hay was born in Virginia, a son of 
Peter Hay, and was brought to Fairfield 
County in youth and followed an agricult- 
ural life until death, his burial being in 
Amanda Township. He married Christiana 
Platter, who was born in Ross County, O., 
and she also was brought young to Fair- 
field County and died on the home farm in 
Amanda Township. They were parents of 
the following children : Joseph, who is de- 
ceased: Margaret, deceased, who was the 
wife of Col. Schleich: Catherine, Peter, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



551 



Edwin R., Edward, Sarah Jane and Zelda, 
all of whom are deceased; and Leander, 
who is the youngest of the family. The 
parents were members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

Leander Hay was given exceptional edu- 
cational advantages, after the common 
schools spending one year at the South 
Salem Academy, then one year in the Ohio 
University, after which he took a commer- 
cial course in a business college at Colum- 
bus. Although well prepared for a profes- 
sional career, Mr. Hay chose farming as his 
life work and since the spring of 1866 has 
resided on his present property. He has 
personally cleared some forty acres here 
and has erected all of the substantial build- 
ings on the place, his residence occupying 
one of the finest sites in Aladison Township. 
He has always been a wide awake, intelli- 
gent and enterprising citizen, interested in 
everything of general importance in this 
section and has always given political sup- 
port to Democratic candidates and policies. 

Mr. Hay was married in January, 1866, 
to Miss Malinda C. Strickler, a daughter 
of Isaac and Mary (Young) Strickler, for- 
mer well known people of Fairfield County, 
Mr. Strickler being a large landowner in 
both Madison and Clear Creek Townships. 
Mrs. Hay has the following brothers and 
sisters: J. N. ; C. M. ; Ellen, wife of J. D. 
Landis; and Elmyra, wife of J. N. Beatty. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hay had but one child, Frank 
Edwin, who died August 29, 1894. He mar- 
ried Rose Hanaway, who survives. Mr. 
Hay and wife are members of the Reformed 
church. 

ALVIN E. PETERS, whose well im- 
proved farm of 83 acres lies in Range 18, 
Section 16, Walnut Township, has owned 
this desirable property for the past sixteen 



years and devotes it to general farming and 
stock-raising. He was born March 16, 1863, 
in Richland Township, Fairfield County, 
O., and is a son of Edward A. and Refina 
(Crippen) (Cherry) Peters. 

Edward A. Peters was born in Pickaway 
County, O., and was one year old when his 
father, Jonathan Peters, came with his fam- 
ily to Fairfield County. The latter was 
born in Virginia and came to Pickaway 
County to teach school, married there and 
afterward moved to Fairfield County and 
acquired a farm in Richland Township, on 
which he spent the rest of his life. Edward 
A. Peters was one of a family of eleven chil- 
dren. His death occurred on his own farm 
in Richland Township, in 1905, his age be- 
ing sixty-seven years. He married Mrs. 
Refina (Crippen) Cherry, widow of 
Thomas Cherry. She was born in Fairfield 
County, O., and spent her life here, dying 
when aged thirty-two years. To her first 
marriage one child was born, William H. 
Cherry, and to her second marriage two 
sons more were born — Alvin Elmer and 
Jonathan C. Edward A. Peters later mar- 
ried Abigail Forsyth and they had two 
sons: John Enos and Ira Thomas. Mrs. 
Peters and sons still reside on the old 
Peters homestead, which is situated four 
miles east of Pleasantville, O. 

Alvin E. Peters has been engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits ever since leaving school. 
He remained on the home place until his 
marriage when he rented the Perry Teele 
farm in Richland Township for seven years, 
after which he bought the farm he yet owns, 
in 1895, from Charles Leach. Mr. Peters 
has taken interest in improving his prop- 
erty, as his substantial farm buildings show, 
and some years ago he put up his comfort- 
able i2-room frame dwelling. His gardens, 
orchards, fields, herds and flocks all give 



552 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



evidence of care and attention and give 
silent testimony concerning the comfort- 
able independence of the Fairfield County 
farmer of the present day. 

Mr. Peters vi^as married September 6, 
1888, to Miss Emma D. Teele, who was 
born in Richland Township, Fairfield 
County, a daughter of Nathaniel Perry and 
Almeda (McCleery) Teele, and a grand- 
daughter of Arthur Teele, who came to this 
section early and entered land. For many 
years the father of Mrs. Peters engaged in 
farming and then retired to Pleasantville 
but died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Peters in 1907, at the age of eighty-four 
years. His widow survived him but one 
year. They had the following children: 
Edward, who is deceased ; Nora, who is the 
widow of Dr. L. C. Grossman; Fannie, who 
is the wife of Marshall Dunlap ; Washing- 
ton C, who is living on a farm in Richland 
Township; Leota, who died at the age of 
three years; and Emma D., who is the wife 
of Alvin E. Peters. Mr. and Mrs. Peters 
are members of the Methodist Protestant 
church at New Salem. He is a Republican 
in politics and is a well informed and repre- 
sentative man of his community. 

JAMES M. GREGG, whose well culti- 
vated and productive farm of eighty-two 
acres lies in Section 15, Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., is now a peaceful agri- 
culturist, but there was a time when he hon- 
orably wore a blue uniform and gave three 
years of his young life to the service of his 
country, on battle-field and in prison dun- 
geons. Many years have passed since the 
days of the Civil War, but the heroes of that 
time deserve to be well remembered. Mr. 
Gregg was born in Morgan County, C, July 
I, 1844, and is the only surviving son of 



Stephen Gregg and his wife, Rachel (Win- 
rod) Gregg. The father was born in Vir- 
ginia and the mother in Maryland, and they 
came early to Morgan County, where the 
latter died in 1880, aged sixty-eight years, 
and the former in 1883, aged seventy-eight 
years. 

James M. Gregg obtained his schooling 
in one of the old log structures that stood 
not far distant from his father's house and 
then helped on the farm until he was eigh- 
teen years of age, in the second year of the 
Civil War. Many of his acquaintances had 
already gone into the army and the youth 
decided for himself that he too would be a 
soldier. On November 2, 1862, he took the 
important step that made him a member of 
Co. E, 75th O. Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. C. S. 
Miller. At a later date the regiment was re- 
organized and his company became Com- 
pany B of the same regiment. This regi- 
ment was sent to the South and its skirmish- 
ing and active fighting was mainly done in 
Florida and South Carolina. At Camp 
Baldwin, near Gainesville, Fla., on January 
26, 1865, Mr. Gregg was taken prisoner by 
the Confederates, and he was but a shadow 
of himself when he was paroled April 28, 
1865, after being incarcerated for three 
months and two days at Andersonville, Ga. 
Many of his comrades never escaped from 
that unspeakable prison pen. 

Two years after his return to Morgan 
County, on November 26, 1867, Mr. Gregg 
was married to Miss Minerva Murphy, who 
died in August, 1884. His second marriage 
took place December 27, 1896, to Mrs. 
Nancy Hite, a daughter of William Palmer 
and the widow of Henry Hite. Mrs. Hite at 
that time had four children — Charles, who 
lives at Columbus and married Addie Mack- 
lin ; Elmer E., also living at Columbus, who 




.MK. AM) MKS. .lAMKS M. llK'KCiC. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



555 



married Augusta Miller; Harvey E., who 
married Dessie Clear; and one that died. 
Henry Hite died in September, 1893, aged 
forty-eight years. Mrs. Gregg was born in 
Fairfield County, her parents, William and 
Margaret (Hovermill) Palmer, being among 
the pioneer settlers. 

In 1889 Mr. Gregg purchased his present 
farm from Joseph S. Holliday and located 
here in March of that year. He has made 
many improvements and devotes himself 
to general farming. He belongs to the G. 
A. R. Post at Baltimore, and is a member 
of the board of trustees of the Antioch 
Mission church at Millersport. He votes 
with the Prohibition party, being a strong 
advocate of temperance. 

A. T. KELLER, president of the Buck- 
eye Planing Mill Company, at Baltimore, 
O., has been interested with his son, S. W. 
Keller, in the lumber and planing mill busi- 
ness at this point, for a number of years. 
He was born in Walnut Township, Fair- 
field County, O., in 1846, and is a son of 
Frederick and Fannie (Thomen) Keller. 

Frederick Keller was born in Tuscara- 
was County, O., and came from there to 
Fairfield County when twenty years of age, 
subsequently becoming a good citizen and 
substantial farmer in Walnut Township. 
He there married Fannie Thomen and they 
had the following children: a babe that died 
unnamed; Mart, who was a soldier in the 
Civil War and survived its dangers only to 
meet accidental death on the railroad when 
on his way home ; A. T. ; S. T., who was 
born in 1848, lives at Baltimore, O., and 
married Emma C. Andrews ; and Anna M., 
who is the wife of R. L. Warner, also of 
Baltimore. 

A. T. Keller followed farming for five 



years after his school days were over and 
then moved to Baltimore, where he was 
concerned in several business undertakings 
before engaging in his present one. The 
Buckeye Planing Mill Company is capi- 
talized at $15,000, and is in a very prosper- 
ous condition, its officers being A. T. Kel- 
ler, president, and S. W. Keller, vice presi- 
dent. They own a planing mill and lumber 
yards and do a general lumber business. 

Mr. Keller was married first to Miss 
Agnes Alspaugh, who died December 6, 
1903, the mother of five children, namely: 
Frances, who married Thomas Johnson, of 
Baltimore; George W., who is deceased; 
Mary E., who married W. E. Burton, (they 
have five children — Amos, Carrie, Agnes, 
Fred and Freda) ; Etta, who is the wife of 
John Gearhart; and S. W., who is vice 
president of the Buckeye Planing Mill Com- 
pany. He married Hattie E. Eversole. Mr. 
Keller was married a second time, on Octo- 
ber 26, 1905, to Miss Anna E. Whithurst. 
With his family Mr. Keller belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is an in- 
dependent in politics and has served on the 
town council. 

JOHN YEAGER, for many years was a 
successful farmer and highly respected 
citizen of Liberty Township, where, in ad- 
dition to farming he was engaged also in 
milling. He was born in Liberty Townshp, 
March 26, 1846, and died April 16, 1907. 
His father was Henry Yeager, who came 
to Ohio from Pennsylvania. 

During boyhood John Yeager attended 
the township schools and thus obtained a 
practical education. He was industrious, 
temperate and capable, a man of his word 
on every occasion, a friend of the public 
schools and a liberal supporter of the 



556 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



church. From the time of his marriage he 
operated the farm of his father-in-law, and 
brought the land up to a high state of culti- 
vation. He was a consistent member of 
the Reformed church and a church official. 
Mr. Yeager married Miss Sarah A. 
Giesy, and they had one son, Charles F., 
who is a traveling salesman for the D. C. 
Cook Company. He married Miss Delia 
Fisher, a daughter of Jacob and Mary 
Fisher. Like his late father he is a Repub- 
lican. Mrs. Yeager owns the residence in 
which she lives at Basil and also the farm 
of ninety-nine acres, which she has rented 
to a capable farmer and from which she re- 
ceives a satisfactory income. She is a mem- 
ber of the Reformed church. 

CHARLES D. McKENZIE, M. D., one 
of the leading physicians of Lancaster, O., 
was born in Clinton County, Ohio, May i8, 
1855, a son of William C. and Lucinda 
(Morton) McKenzie. His parents are both 
now deceased, the father, who was a 
farmer, dying at the age of 70 years in 1898. 
His wife, Lucinda, who was about the same 
age as himself, passed away in 1894. They 
were the parents of five children, as fol- 
lows : Jane, wife of Solomon L. Whitlow, 
residing in Clinton County, O. ; Ellen, now 
deceased, who was the wife of John Boring ; 
Mary Emily, who married George Bloom, 
both being now deceased ; James, who mar- 
ried a Miss Rebecca Truitt, and died in 
1874; and William B., who married Miss 
Jennie Wood Mansey, and is now a drug- 
gist in Chicago. The maternal grandfather 
of our subject was Joab Morton, who was 
an early settler in Clinton County. On the 
paternal side the Doctor's grandfather was 
John McKenzie, who was of Scotch ances- 



try, as the family name indicates, and who 
was possibly himself born in Scotland. He 
was an early settler in this section and was 
engaged in farming and also for some time 
was a distiller. 

Charles D. McKenzie was reared on his 
parents' farm and educated in the public 
schools. He studied his profession in the 
Cincinnati College of Medicine and 
Surgery, being graduated in the class of 
1896, after a three years' course. He first 
located for practice in Sabina, Clinton 
County, O., where he remained for seven 
years. He then sold out his practice there 
and went to Octa, Fayette County, and 
from Octa subsequently to Bowersville, 
Green County. In 1907 he came to Lancas- 
ter, O., having for nine months previously, 
however, been engaged in traveling. Since 
coming here he has built up a good practice 
and is regarded locally as one of the fore- 
most men in his profession. He belongs to 
several fraternal societies, including the 
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Royal 
Neighbors, an auxilliary branch of the 
Woodmen. In politics he is a Democrat. 

Dr. McKenzie married Miss Rosena 
Barnes, a daughter of John and Anna 
Barnes of Clinton County, O., their union 
being solemnized in 1879. They have a son, 
Charles Ira, unmarried, who is now in the 
employ of the Standard Oil Company, at 
Columbus, O. 

GEORGE P. WOOSTER, a successful 
general farmer and buyer and shipper of 
stock, carries on his agricultural operations 
on his excellent farm in Liberty Township, 
where he owns 122 acres within two and 
one-half miles of Basil, O. He was born 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



557 



January 28, 1855, in Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Lewis 
and Mary (Judy) Wooster. 

Lewis Wooster was born in Germany 
and came to America with his parents, they 
settling first in Pennsylvania and later com- 
ing to Fairfield County, Ohio, and here he 
spent the rest of his life. He devoted him- 
self to farm pursuits and acquired an ample 
fortune. His death occurred here when he 
had reached the age of eighty-six years. 
He married Mary Judy, a native also of 
Fairfield County, who lived to be seventy- 
four years old. They had nine children 
born to them, seven of whom survive. 

George P. Wooster obtained his school- 
ing in Fairfield County. Since the age of 
sixteen years he has been dealing in live 
stock, of which few men in this section are 
better judges. For some years he rented 
the William Watson farm and then moved 
to the Henry Lamb farm in Walnut Town- 
ship, where he remained for six years. In 
1891 he came to his present place, finding 
it in need of improving, and during the 
past twenty years he has changed its whole 
appearance. He keeps up a high standard 
of farming and raises excellent crops and 
additionally does a very large business in 



shipping to the leading 



handling stock, 
markets. 

Mr. W^ooster was married first to Miss 
Elsie Mesnard, who is survived by one 
child, Chalmers. The latter married ^liss 
Alice Sims and they have three children — 
Evelyn, Mildred and Verna. Mr. Wooster's 
second marriage was to Miss Dora A. 
Smurr, a daughter of Charles Smurr, who 
is engaged in carpenter work and the build- 
ing trade at Basil. Two children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Wooster— George 
and Marie. They are members of the Luth- 



eran church. Politically Mr. Wooster is 
a Democrat. For a number of years he has 
been an Odd Fellow, attending the lodge at 
Pleasantville. 

JOHN W. TRUE, for many years a suc- 
cessful farmer both in Athens and Fairfield 
Counties, O., was a highly respected citi- 
zen in both sections, in which he and family 
became well known. He was born in 
Athens County, O., October 18, 1850, and 
died on his farm in Liberty Township, Fair- 
field County, April 10, 1899, aged forty- 
eight years, five months and twenty-three 
days. He was a son of Austin and Jane 
(Fuller) True. 

John W. True was reared on his father's 
farm and attended the district schools until 
old enough to leave him, afterward having 
collegiate advantages near Columbus. For 
nineteen years he was engaged in farming 
in Athens County and then, in 1883, came 
to Fairfield County, and here he again en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, continuing 
until his death, at which time he owned 150 
acres of land. He was a member of the 
Church of Christ. In 1873 he was married 
to Miss Mattie Maxwell, and the following 
children were born to them : Elfie J., who 
is the wife of A. J. Brown, of Pueblo, Colo., 
and they have two children- — Murriel Grace 
and I.orene; Laura E., who married Wil- 
liam Gilmore. of Liberty Township, and 
they have two children, Harold True, and 
Dorwin; Lydia O., who married Austin 
Myers, of Cleveland, and they have one son, 
Leland; Austin R.. married Nellie Geiger, 
he is an instructor in electricity in an In- 
dian Agency School at Warm Springs, Ore- 
gon ; and Edith, who is the wife of Clifford 
R. Jolly and they have two children— 
Hulda and Helen. They live at Jamestown, 



558 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



North Dakota, and he is a telegraph 
operator. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. 
True has carried on farming operations for 
ahnost ten years, owning sixty acres, and 
has proved that her sex in no way stands 
in the way of success. Her late husband 
was noted for his ready hospitaHty and this 
family feature is continued. Mrs. True as 
an agriculturist is progressive and enter- 
prising and takes a just pride in the fine 
yeild of her fields and herds. In politics 
Mr. True was a Republican and while living 
in Athens County served efificiently in 
numerous public ofifices. He was an Odd 
Fellow. Mrs. True belongs to the White 
Ribbon and Rebecca orders and the Grange 
and Austin is a K. of P. Mrs. True is a 
member of the M. E. Church of Basil, Ohio. 

H. M. SCHOLL, a prosperous farmer 
who owns eighty acres of well improved 
land situated in Sections 20 and 21, Rush 
Creek Township, was born in Hocking 
County, 0., January 22, 1871, and is a son 
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Shaw) Scholl, 
and a grandson of Mathias Scholl. 

Grandfather Mathias Scholl was born in 
Wertemberg, Germany, and was a young 
man when he came to the United States. 
He helped to grade the first steam railroad 
track between Baltimore and EUicott's mill, 
and often told of witnessing a race between 
the railroad and the stage coach. In 1830 
he moved to Lancaster, O., and worked on 
the canal then in course of construction and 
assisted to dig out stumps that then stood 
in the main street of Lancaser. From there 
he moved to Rush Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, where he lived until 1842, 
when he removed to Hocking County and 
settled on the place where his son Samuel 



and grandson, H. M., were subsequently 
born. His death occurred there when he 
was seventy-eight years of age. In Ger- 
many he had married Christiana Weidner 
and when they left Germany they had one 
child. Another was born on the passage 
(both now deceased), while seven more 
were born on American soil, five in this 
county and two in Hocking County. They 
were members of the Lutheran church. 

Samuel Scholl was reared in Hocking 
County and there married Elizabeth Shaw, 
a daughter of Joseph and Phebe Shaw. 
They became the parents of nine children, 
seven of whom are living and three of these 
live in Fairfield County — W. J., H. M., and 
Lorena S., who is the wife of J. H. Stuart. 
All have homes in Section 21, Rush Creek 
Township. In 1903, Samuel Scholl sold his 
farm in Hocking County and bought six- 
teen acres in Fairfield County, where his 
wife died in 1909. Both were members of ' 
the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics 
Samuel Scholl is a Democrat and while 
residing in Hocking County served as 
school director and road supervisor and for 
twelve years was treasurer of his township. 

After his own school days were over, H. 
M. Scholl taught school for eight terms in 
Hocking County. In April, 1899, he came 
to Fairfield County and bought his present 
farm in partnership with his father and later 
purchased the latter's interest. For some 
three years he hired farmers for his land 
and engaged in teaming himself, but since 
his marriage he has managed the place with 
much success, bringing his land to a high 
state of production and making improve- 
ments in every direction. Mr. Scholl has 
two fine orchards of mixed fruit and there 
is a five-barrel oil well on the place. He 
has put down a large amount of tiling, has 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



559 



enlarged his building and has brought 
modern methods into his agricultural opera- 
tions with good effect. He is a member of 
the local Grange and the M. \V. of A., at 
Rock Island, 111. 

Mr. Scholl was married May i6, 1896, 
to Miss Mary H. Palmer, who was born in 
Hocking County, O., a daughter of Augus- 
tine and Barbara Palmer, and they have 
two children, Roy S. and M. Dow. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scholl are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church at Bremen. He is a stock- 
holder in the First National Bank of Bre- 
men. Mr. Scholl owns a five passenger 
Overland automobile and finds pleasant 
recreation for himself and family in its use. 

W. F. ALFORD, who resides on his well 
improved farm of loi acres, which is situ- 
ated in Rush Creek Township, two miles 
west of Bremen, was born in Richland 
Township, Fairfield County, O., in 1848, 
and is a son of R. P. and Ann Jemima 
(Kilgore) Alford. R. P. Alford was born 
in MifHin County, Pa., but he married in 
Fairfield County, where the Kilgores were 
early settlers. They became parents of 
eight children, W. F. Alford being the 
fourth in order of birth. 

W. F. Alford attended the country 
schools in boyhood and later the Fairfield 
Union Academy, a well known educational 
institution in its day, and afterward, for 
eight years, was engaged in teaching 
school, also assisting his father on the home 
place. After coming to his present property 
he did a large amount of improving and his 
productive land, fine stock and substantial 
buildings indicate prosperity. 

Mr. Alford was married to Miss Maria 
Driver, whose father, at that time was a 
farmer of this township. Four children 



were born to them, namely : J. P., a minis- 
ter in the Methodist Episcopal church, who 
resides at Baltimore, O. ; and married a 
Miss Turner, of Ada, O. ; Sarah K., who re- 
sides at home; John F., who is a student in 
the Delaware University; and one that died 
in infancy. In his political views Mr. Al- 
ford is independent. Although often ten- 
dered township oflice he has never served 
in any other than that of school director. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

J. M. NEFF, who is owner and proprie- 
tor of the Twin City Tile Works, situated 
in Fairfield County, O., between Baltimore 
and Basil, enjoys the distinction of being 
the oldest tile maker in the county. He was 
born in 1855, at Baltimore, O., and is a son 
of J. H. Neff. 

J. H. Neff was born in Virginia and was 
brought to Basil, O., by his parents when a 
boy. His father died when he was young 
and he had but few advantages except 
those which he provided for himself. In 
early manhood he worked on a canal boat 
and when the Civil War broke out he en- 
listed in Co. A., First O. Vol. Cav., and 
served until the close of the great struggle. 
After his return, in 1866, in association with 
John Sands, he went into the tile business 
one mile north of Baltimore, O., and that 
partnership lasted for two years, when Mr. 
Neff, with Dr. H. J. Hummell built a tile 
yard between Baltimore and Basil, on the 
place now owned by J. J. Wagner. They 
made tile there until 1885. In 1875 they 
also had built a tile yard in Pickaway 
County, which was conducted for Mr. Neff 
by a son-in-law. His plant in Liberty 
Township by that time being out of date, 
Mr. Neff abandoned it and devoted his at- 



560 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



tention to the Pickaway kilns and he was 
accompanied by his son, J. M. Neff, who 
had previously been operating the other 
yard. Business was continued there until 
June, 1889, when Mr. Neff built this plant 
and took possession of his present property. 
As mentioned, he is the oldest tile maker in 
the county, never having missed a summer 
in this industry since 1866, with a single 
exception. He manufactures drain tile and 
turns out $5,000 worth of tile a season, giv- 
ing steady employment to six men. 

In 1876 Mr. Neff was married to a daugh- 
ter of Samuel Fenstermaker, Miss Adelia 
Fenstermaker, who died in May, 1893. 
She was the mother of the following chil- 
dren: V. W., A. M., F. F., E. 0., Ethel, 
Blanche, Lloyd, and two infants, deceased. 
In October, 1897, Mr. Neff was married to 
Mrs. M. J. Blizzard. They are members of 
the Evangelical church. Politically he is a 
Republican and fraternally he belongs to 
the Masons and the A. I. U. He is a busy, 
practical and successful business man and 
is widely known. 

VERNON R. GEBHARDT, part pro- 
prietor of the Gebhardt Lumber Company, 
at Pleasantville, Ohio, and a representative 
citizen of this place, \\'hich has been his 
home since the age of three years, was Ijorn 
on the old Huber farm in Pleasant Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 
14, 1880. His parents were John P. and 
Julia A. (Soliday) Gebhardt. 

John P. Gebhardt was born in Germany, 
December 24, 1845, and was the son of 
George Gebhardt, the latter of whom 
brought his family to America in 185 1 and 
settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where 
they all lived up to the time of their death. 
The family consisted of four sons, — Henry, 



John P., Conrad and Thomas Gebhardt, 
of which family John P. was the second son. 
John P. Gebhardt engaged in farming when 
he reached manhood and was married to 
Julia A. Soliday on Feb. 11, 1869, which 
family was given three sons and one daugh- 
ter, — George L., William H., JNIary C. and 
Vernon R. Gebhardt. In 1883 he moved to 
Pleasantville, Ohio (which town was a 
small village), and embarked in the retail 
lumber business under the name of Patter- 
son and Gebhardt. later as Irick and Geb- 
hardt ; the former firm included his brother 
Conrad in the partnership. In 1898, his two 
sons W. H. and V. R., were taken in the 
company, replacing Thos. Irick, and in 1910 
Geo. L. took over the interest of W. H., 
which firm was in charge at the time of this 
preparation of the publication. John P. 
Gebhardt was a prominent citizen and busi- 
ness man and was highly respected in his 
town and vicinity up to the time of his death 
on June 13, 1904. His widow, Julia A. 
Gebhardt, still resides in Pleasantville, O., 
where she has many friends. 

George L. is at present teaching in the 
Bliss Business College of Columbus, Ohio, 
having been a successful teacher in the com- 
mon schools for over twelve years; he was 
married to Lillie V. Rodgers in 1909. 

^^'illiam H., after years of experience in 
the lumber business, is now a traveling 
salesman for a large lumber concern in 
Pittsburg, and was married to Miss Estella 
Cull in 1906. 

Mary C. is still single and resides with 
her mother in Pleasantville, Ohio, and is a 
prominent member of the Methodist 
Church. 

Vernon R. Gebhardt was a graduate from 
the public schools in 1896, and from the 
Fairfield Union Academy in 1899, and is a 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



561 



holder of a teacher's certificate, which he 
has never used. He is a prominent Demo- 
crat and at this writing is serving as clerk 
of the village of Pleasantville, O., as clerk 
of Pleasant Township and the Pleasant 
Township Board of Education, Fairfield 
County, O. He has had personal charge of 
the affairs of the Gebhardt Lumber Com- 
pany for a number of years, and was mar- 
ried to Olive Helen Irene Osbourne, sec- 
ond daughter of Prof. W. R. and Tacie 
Osbourne of Baltimore, O., on September 
21, 1910, and they have one little son, Bruce 
Osbourne Gebhardt, who was born Septem- 
ber 22), 191 1. Since he was twelve years 
old, he has been a member of the Methodist 
Church and is identified with White Arrow 
Lodge, No. 341, Knights of Pythias, of 
Pleasantville, Ohio. 

TAZWELL HIZEY, who is an honored 
veteran of the great Civil War and a well 
known and highly respected resident of 
Liberty Township, Fairfield County, O., 
where he owns a beautiful and well im- 
proved farm of 129 acres, situated five miles 
northwest of Basil, was born in Licking 
County, O., December 24, 1828, and is a son 
of Abraham and Elizabeth (Newman) 
Hizey. 

Both parents of Mr. Hizey were born in 
Shenandoah County, Va. The father was 
a blacksmith and farmer who for ten years 
before coming to Ohio lived in Rocking- 
ham County. He was a soldier in the War 
of 1812. His life was shortened by an in- 
jury received wWile shoeing horses. He 
died aged fifty-five years, leaving his widow 
with a large family of children. She was a 
woman of courage and resourcefulness and 
of physical strength that endowed her chil- 
dren with robust constitutions. In spite of 



early hardships and deprivations, incident 
to farm life more than eighty years ago in 
Ohio, she lived for seventy-one years and 
retained her faculties to a remarkable de- 
gree. She was the faithful and unselfish 
mother of twelve children — Jane, Mary, 
Catherine, Caroline, Harvey, Tazwell, 
John, Jacob, Abraham, Amanda, George 
and Hattie. Of this family there are four 
survivors — Tazwell, John, George and Hat- 
tie. 

In his extreme infancy, when, in fact, he 
was but three weeks old, the mother of Mr. 
Hizey carried him in her arms as she rode 
a distance of twenty-seven miles from Lick- 
ing County to Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, on horseback, this being in the 
winter of 1828. Here he grew to manhood, 
receiving the elements of an education in 
the old log schoolhouse that stood nearest 
his father's farm. He then worked at farm- 
ing until 1864, when he enlisted for service 
in the Civil War, entering Co. F, First O. 
Vol. Cavalry, his regiment being a part of 
the cavalry force of 12,500 men under Gen- 
eral Wilson. He served as a second lieu- 
tenant in the 100 days' service, but resigned 
so that he could enlist for a longer period, 
and he served until the close of the War. 
Mr. Hizey is one of the commissioned offi- 
cers whose portrait appears in the history 
of the regiment to which he belonged. He 
is also one of the very few men who went 
out for service and came home without 
having touched liquor or tobacco in any 
form. During his military service he par- 
ticipated in a greater number of important 
battles than did many who had entered the 
service in 1861 and continued until 1865, 
in fact his command was in the midst of 
fighting almost every day. Although often 
in danger Mr. Hizey escaped injury and 



562 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



returned home practically unharmed. He 
then came to his present farm and devoted 
many subsequent years to farming and 
stock raising, in the meanwhile so improv- 
ing his property that now it is one of the 
most attractive and valuable in Liberty 
Township. Mr. Hizey has shifted the 
heavy responsibilities to younger shoulders 
but still preserves an interest in everything 
pertaining to his land and stock. 

Mr. Hizey married Miss Hannah Jane 
Williams, who was born in Violet Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., September 5, 
1831, and died at the present home, April 
21, 1892, when aged sixty years. She was 
a daughter of Solomon Williams, one of 
the old settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Hizey 
eight children were born, namely : William 
Morris, Albert Laurence, Oscar Dellon, 
Mary America, Hannah Jane, Sarah Ann, 
George W. and Angeline Elnora. Of the 
above mentioned four survive — William 
Morris, Oscar Dellon, Hannah Jane and 
Angeline Elnora. Mr. Hizey and his fam- 
ily are members of the United Brethren 
church. He has lived a long and useful life 
and has always been willing to put his 
shoulder to the wheel to improve public 
conditions, from the time he jeopardized his 
life for his country until the present, when 
his influence for good as a supporter of law 
and religion, is felt in his own community. 
He is what might be termed an old-line Re- 
publican in his political views. 

J. R. BOHRER, who is one of Liberty 
Township's best known and most highly 
respected citizens, has spent all but six 
months of his sixty-one years of life on his 
present farm, which lies four and one-half 
miles north of Baltimore, Fairfield County, 
O. His birth took place in Walnut Town- 



ship, Fairfield County, in 1849, ^"d he is a 
son of Benjamin and Susan (Wicklifif) 
Bohrer. 

The Bohrer family traces its ancestry to 
Holland and the first of its representatives 
came to the shores of America in the May- 
flower. For many years members of the 
family lived in New England and from 
there the grandfather of J. H. Bohrer 
moved to Pennsylvania and later came to 
Ohio, when Benjamin Bohrer was about 
the age of 21 years. He then settled in 
Walnut Township, Fairfield County and in 
1850, moved from there to Liberty Town- 
ship, where he was engaged in farming 
during the rest of his life, his death taking 
place when he was aged fifty-five years. 
He was twice married, first to Catherine 
Rutter, and secondly to Susan Wickliff. 
To the first marriage one child was born, 
now Mrs. Mary Tunison, of Kirkersville, O. 
Of the second marriage there were six 
children, namely: J. R. ; Sarah, a twin sister 
of J. R., who died aged seven years; Mrs. 
Christian Fairchild; and Joanna, James M., 
and Amanda, the last three of whom are 
now deceased. 

After his school days were over, J. R. 
Bohrer began to work on the home farm, 
and as years and experience increased, so 
did his responsibilities. Being the eldest 
and only surviving son, he continued on the 
homestead and has developed and im- 
proved it until it is numbered with the best 
farms in Liberty Township. He has 1373^ 
acres here and has erected substantial farm 
buildings and carries on general farming 
and stockraising. 

Mr. Bohrer married Miss Joanna Bell 
Friedly, a daughter of John Friedly, who 
was an early settler in Fairfield County, 
coming from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. 




ABSALOM J. ARNOLD 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



565 



Bohrer have two children, Rhuie and Clara 
M. Although he has never been in any 
sense a politician, Mr. Bohrer keeps well 
posted in public matters, understands pres- 
ent day issues and has always voted the 
Democratic ticket. He belongs to the Odd 
Fellows, attending the lodge of this order 
at Millersport, O. 

ABSALOM JEFFERSON ARNOLD, 
formerly county commissioner of Fairfield 
County, O., resides on his well cultivated 
farm of seventy-five acres, situated in 
Greenfield Township, of which he is a lead- 
ing citizen. He was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County, O., April 17, 
1844, and is a son of Absolom and Sarah 
(Weist) Arnold. 

Absolom Arnold, the father, was born in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, and 
was a son of Frederick Arnold, who came 
from Virginia and was an early settler in 
Pleasant Township. The family is of Eng- 
lish extraction. Absolom Arnold was a 
carpenter by trade and also followed farm- 
ing and was one of the worthy and reliable 
men of his community. His death oc- 
curred in 1890. He married Sarah Weist, 
who was born in Greenfield Township and 
came of German parentage. Absolom 
Arnold was married twice and of his chil- 
dren the following survive: Wilson D., 
who is a resident of Springfield, O. ; Man- 
son J., who lives in Liberty Township, 
Fairfield County; George M., who lives 
also in Liberty Township; Frederick who 
now lives on the home farm, this township; 
Emma J., who is the wife of James Cow- 
den, lives at Denver, Colo. ; and A. J., of 
Greenfield Township. 

A. J. Arnold, our direct subject, ob- 
tained his education in the public schools 



as they were in his boyhood, children hav- 
ing very few of the advantages they now 
enjoy. He grew to manhood on the home 
farm and has made farming his main busi- 
ness ever since. With the e.xception of a 
few years, during which he resided in 
Wells County, Ind., he has been a resident 
of Greenfield Township, where he is a prop- 
erty owner. He also has considerable real 
estate of value at Lancaster and at Du- 
montville, O. For many years Mr. Arnold 
has filled offices of responsibility in town- 
ship or county and enjoys the highest de- 
gree of respect and esteem from his fellow 
citizens. For eighteen years he served his 
county as superintendent of the turnpike 
roads. He also became a builder of new 
roads, contracting under the commission- 
ers, cutting hills, grading and performing 
all the necessary work in a satisfactory 
manner, as there were no complaints. For 
three years he was a trustee of Greenfield 
Township, for six years was a justice of the 
peace and for six years and eight months 
was a member of the board of county com- 
missioners of Fairfield County, and during 
a part of this period was its president. He 
is a Democrat in his political opinions but 
in the performance of public duties has 
never been swayed by party feeling. He 
has always been interested in educational 
matters and has served as president of the 
school board of his township. Frequently, 
also, Mr. Arnold has been called upon to 
settle up estates and has satisfactorily met 
every demand made upon him. 

Mr. Arnold married for his first wife. 
Miss Barbara A. Miller, who was a daugh- 
ter of John Miller, a former resident of 
Liberty Township. She died Feb. 3, 1889, 
and is buried in Bethel Cemetery, called 
Arnold Cemetery, which as well as the 



566 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



church ground, was donated by our sub- 
ject's father. The first Mrs. Arnold was 
survived by four children : Matilda Mary, 
who lives with her father; Amanda J., who 
is the wife of Edgar Bretz, and lives at 
Lancaster, O. ; Charles J., who lives in 
Greenfield Township; and Clara Alneta, 
who is the wife of Jesse M. Wagner, also 
of Greenfield Township. Mr. Arnold mar- 
ried secondly Mrs. Elizabeth Gehrett, of 
BluiYton, Ind. She died Sept. 12, 1908, and 
is buried at Bluffton, Ind. Mr. Arnold is 
a member of the United Brethren church. 

JAMES T. PICKERING, a leading mem- 
ber of the Lancaster bar and a representa- 
tive citizen of Fairfield County, C, has been 
more or less identified also with public af- 
fairs in this section, and served twelve years 
as postmaster at Lancaster. He was born 
on his father's farm in Violet Township, 
Fairfield County, C, June 17, 1858, and is a 
son of Jacob and Samantha (Ford) Pick- 
ering, and a grandson of James Pickering. 

James Pickering was born in 1800, in 
Rockingham County, Va., a son of Abra- 
ham and Ann Pickering, and a grandson of 
William Pickering, who was born in Eng- 
land and was the founder of the family in 
Virginia. In 1806 the Pickerings came to 
Fairfield County, C, and since then the 
name has been a familiar one in this section 
and representative of the best class of citi- 
zenship. James Pickering acquired land in 
Violet Township and after marriage with 
Catherine Williams established what be- 
came the Pickering homestead. Of their 
five children, Jacob Pickering, father of 
James T., was the eldest and he was born in 
Violet Township in 1827. He followed agri- 
cultural pursuits and became a useful and 
honored citizen of the county. His mar- 



riage was with Samantha Ford, a daughter 
of Philip and Nancy (Callahan) Ford. Her 
father, George Callahan, was one of the 
early pioneer preachers of the Methodist 
faith, in the wilds of Ohio. Her paternal 
grandfather, John Ford, came to Violet 
Township, Fairfield County, in 1806, from 
Fredericksburg, Va. The children of Jacob 
Pickering and his wife were : Jennie E., 
Charles C, James T., Emma and Etta S. 

James T. Pickering was afforded school 
privileges in Violet Township until he was 
sixteen years of age, at which time his par- 
ents removed to Delaware, O. There he 
had high school and collegiate advantages 
and in the class of 1883 was graduated from 
the Ohio Wesleyan University, taking his 
M. A. degree three years later. Having de- 
cided upon the law he began his prepara- 
tions for the bar and in the meanwhile 
taught school for three years, and in 1888 
was admitted to the bar by the Supreme 
Court at Columbus, Ohio. In 1890 he en- 
tered into a law partnership with his 
brother, Charles C. Pickering, under the 
firm name of Pickering & Pickering, and 
has continued in practice ever since. As a 
lawyer, Mr. Pickering stands high in ability 
and integrity at the Lancaster bar. In poli- 
tics he is a loyal Republican, as was his 
father, but has seldom accepted public office. 
In July, 1898, however, he was appointed 
postmaster at Lancaster, O., by the 
lamented President McKinley and he 
proved faithful and acceptable in office. In 
1902 he was reappointed postmaster, by 
President Theodore Roosevelt, and in 1906 
was again appointed by President Roose- 
velt. During his service as postmaster of 
Lancaster, Ohio, Mr. Pickering devoted his 
best talents and abilities to the services of 
the public. One of the greatest achieve- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



567 



merits of his postoffice service was the es- 
tablishment of the fine rural free delivery 
system of Fairfield County, consisting of 
more than forty carriers. 

Mr. Pickering was married in 1895, to 
Miss Jessie D. Chaney, a daughter of Wil- 
liam and Eleanor (Harsha) Chaney, of Cir- 
cleville, O., and they have two daughters 
and one son : Eleanor C, Dorothy and 
WiUiani C. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Pickering is a prominent 
Mason, having served as master of Lancas- 
ter Lodge, No. 57, in 1898-99; is a member 
of Lancaster Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons, and a Knight Templar of Lancas- 
ter Commandery, No. 2, of which he is now 
serving as Excellent Prelate. 

FRED G. BOSCH, proprietor of a gen- 
eral store at Basil, Fairfield County, O., 
making a specialty of harness, was born in 
1861, at Lancaster, O., and is a son of Dr. 
Gottfried and Margaret Bosch. 

The parents of Mr. Bosch were born in 
Germany; the mother on July 17, 1820, 
came to America in 1852, and died at Basil, 
O., July 30, 1900. The father of Mr. Bosch 
was reared and educated in Germany and 
received his medical degree from Witten- 
berg College. He was thirty-five years old 
when he came to America, was married in 
Fairfield County, O., in 1859, and for many 
years was a successful medical practitioner 
at Basil, where his death occurred in 1887, 
when he was aged sixty-three years. His 
two children were a babe that died in its in- 
fancy, and Fred G., now of Basil. 

Fred G. Bosch was five years old when 

his parents located at Basil and he obtained 

his schooling here, after which he learned 

the harness-making trade and dealt in har- 
ts 



ness at Lancaster for five years. In 1882 
he returned to Basil and has been in busi- 
ness here ever since, owning his own build- 
ing and other real estate. He carries a com- 
plete line of harness, horse-furnishing goods 
and horse remedies, this being his leading 
line. 

Mr. Bosch married Miss Clara H. Auer, 
of Fairfield County, and they have had five 
children : Lula, who married Clarence 
Bright and has two children — Ellis and 
Floris; Margaret, who married John Gear- 
hart ; John, who died when aged two years ; 
and Warren and Howard. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bosch are members of the Reformed church. 
He is a good citizen, ever ready to con- 
tribute to worthy charities and public move- 
ments but has no political aspirations. He 
is a Democrat. 

JOHN W^ WHITE, stock buyer and 
owner of seventy-five acres of fine land 
located near Carroll, in Fairfield County, 
O., was born in Hocking County, O., in 
1862, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Ridenour) White. 

Robert White now lives retired on his 
farm in Hocking County, of which he is a 
native. He married Elizabeth Ridenour, 
who was also born there and they have had 
ten children, namely: William; Levi, who 
is deceased ; John W. ; Lydia. deceased, who 
was the wife of Albert Murphy: Ellen, who 
is deceased; Allen; Emma, who married 
Captain Berry; Efifie, who married William 
Xixon: and Elmer and Clinton. 

John W. White obtained an excellent 
public school education and for ten years 
afterward taught school in Hocking County, 
after which he settled at Carroll and en- 
gaged in farming in Greenfield Township, 
Fairfield County, for fourteen years. In 



568 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1905 he established his home at Baltimore, 
investing in property in the town and has 
been largely interested ever since in buying 
and shipping stock. Politically he is a 
Democrat and in 1901 he was elected land 
appraiser in Greenfield Township. 

Mr. White married Miss Addie Later, of 
Hocking County, and they have had four 
children : Bertha, who is the wife of O. O. 
Osbourne, a merchant at Baltimore, and 
they have two children — Raymond and 
Lowell; Grace, who is the wife of Ray Sny- 
der, and they have one child, Alta; Blanche, 
who died aged two months and twenty-four 
days; and Nora, who resides at home. Mr. 
White and family are members of the U. B. 
church. 

JOHN HARMAN, a retired farmer who 
has lived on his present valuable farm of 
more than ninety-one acres, situated in 
Pleasant Township, since 1876, is a surviv- 
ing veteran also of the great Civil War. He 
was boin in Bavaria, Germany, September 
5, 1838, and is a son of John and Rosina 
Harman. 

In his native land John Harman attended 
school but was only fourteen years old 
when he came to America, afterward living 
for several years in Allegheny County, Md. 
After coming to Fairfield County, C, he 
learned the wagon-making and carriage- 
building trade, with Richard Dean, a well 
known mechanic at that day. On August 
31, 1861, Mr. Harman enlisted for service 
in the Civil War, then in progress, entering 
Co. B, 17th O. Vol. Inf., and his regiment 
was with General Sherman in the great 
march to the sea. Mr. Harman was a faith- 
ful soldier in his adopted country for three 
years and took part in many great battles, 
including Pittsburg Landing, Resaca, Mill 



Springs, Murfreesboro, and siege of At- 
lanta, after which he was honorably dis- 
charged. He then returned to Fairfield 
County, where, for a number of years he 
followed his trade, together with carrying 
on large agricultural operations. 

Mr. Harman was married September 7, 
1871, to Miss Catherine Nichols, who was 
born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County. Her parents were John and Mary 
(Lantz) Nichols, the former of whom was 
born in Maryland, and the latter in Fairfield 
County, where her father, Martin Lantz, 
was an early settler. Mrs. Harman has one 
sister, Mary, who lives in Pleasant Town- 
ship. Mr. Harman is a Democrat in poli- 
tics. He and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

FRANCIS MARION PAUL, proprietor 
of the only drug store at Basil, Fairfield 
County, O., where he has been in business 
for a period of thirty years, was born Sep- 
tember 30, 1846, in Walnut Township, Fair- 
field County, O., and is a son of John and 
Emily (Watson) Paul. 

John Paul was born in the old Paul home- 
stead in Walnut Township, where he passed 
almost his entire life, following farming as 
an occupation, and dying in the old home 
when over eighty-two years of age. He 
married Emily Watson, whose life has been 
prolonged beyond the usual period, she be- 
ing now aged ninety years. She is a ten- 
derly cared for member of the home of her 
son, F. M., at Basil. Eight children were 
born to John and Emily Paul, five sons and 
three daughters, namely: Francis Marion; 
Morgan, who lives in Morgan County, Mo.; 
James Monroe, who is a resident of Michi- 
gan ; George, who lives at Newark ; John, 
who is a resident of Union County; 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



569 



Amanda, who is the wife of Frank Wise- 
man, of Baltimore; Emma, who resides in 
Oklahoma, is the widow of M. Mellick, for- 
merly of Rushville; and Ella, who is the 
wife of James E. Kern, of Zanesville, O. 

P'rancis M. Paul obtained his education 
in the public schools of Walnut Township. 
He afterward went to work on the home 
farm and subsequently, with Judge Hol- 
land, learned the drug business. He came 
to Basil about 1881 and has had much to do 
with the 'developing of this place, being an 
active and useful citizen in many ways. He 
served as postmaster under the adminis- 
tration of President Harrison and has al- 
ways been identified with the Republican 
party. Mr. Paul married Miss Ida Mason, 
a daughter of A. T. Mason, of Basil, the 
Masons being an old county family. They 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

HENRY C. DETWILER, whose valu- 
able and productive farm of 320 acres is 
situated in Liberty Township, three miles 
northwest of Basil, O., is one of the wide 
awake and progressive agriculturists of this 
section and one of the substantial men of 
the township. He was born in 1872, on a 
farm in Liberty Township, to the north of 
his present one, and is a son of Henry and 
Rebecca (Lefever) Detwiler. 

The Detwilers are of German extraction 
and the grandfather of Henry C. Detwiler 
came to Fairfield County from Switzerland 
at an early day. Here Henry Detwiler was 
born, in 1844, and here has spent his life as 
a farmer, now living retired. He married 
Rebecca Lefever, also of an old Pennsyl- 
vania family, and five children were born to 
them, the four survivors being: Mary, who 
is the wife of Edward Steiger, of Liberty 



Township; Henry C. ; Viola, who is the wife 
of George W. Shreyer, of Liberty Town- 
ship; and Clarence, who lives on the old 
home place. The eldest child, John, died in 
infancy. 

Henry C. Detwiler obtained a good com- 
mon school education and has been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits ever since. After 
taking charge of his present farm he erected 
substantial buildings and introduced mod- 
ern conveniences, so that he and family have 
every comfort in the way of living and 
proper provision has been made for the care 
and sanitary housing of his stock. Mr. Det- 
wiler is a well informed man, a member of 
the Grange and one of the state officials of 
the same. His agricultural operations re- 
lating to both crops and stock, are carried 
on with improved machinery and according 
to accepted modern methods, he not only 
taking advantage of the bounty of Nature 
but following out the laws tending to con- 
serve it. Mr. Detwiler sets an example that 
may well be emulated by those who desire 
agricultural success. 

In 1893 Mr. Detwiler was married to Miss 
Lettie Snyder, a daughter of David Snyder, 
of Liberty Township, and they have one 
daughter, Flossie Marie, who is attending 
school. Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler are mem- 
bers of the Reformed church. He has been 
a deacon therein for the last 15 years and 
is secretary of the joint consistory. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch Democrat and once was 
his party's chosen candidate for county 
commissioner. He is identified fraternally 
with the Red Men and the Masons. 

HERMAN C. ROLLER, deputy county 
auditor of Fairfield County, has held this 
office since October 21, 1907. He was born 
in Bloom Township, this county, Nov. 11, 



570 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1875, a son of Nelson and Sarah (Custer) 
Roller, and is a descendant on the paternal 
side of a hardy pioneer, Henry Roller, who 
settled in Fairfield County in 181 1. The 
son of Henry, in the present line of descent, 
was Benjamin, born in the year 1800, in 
Pennsylvania, from which state he accom- 
panied his parents to Ohio. They settled 
near the head waters of the Hockhocking 
river. Benjamin married Mary Lane, and 
they had at least three children, namely: 
Jesse, who died a few years since in Toledo, 
where he was a well known druggist ; 
Lydia, now the wife of Nathan McPherson, 
of Bloom Township; and Nelson, father of 
the subject of this sketch. 

Nelson Roller was born in Bloom Town- 
ship about 1841 and is still a resident of 
that part of the county. For 20 years he 
was engaged in the real estate and money 
loaning business. He married Sarah Cus- 
ter, a daughter of Andrew and Jennie 
(Green) Custer, residents of this county. 
Besides Sarah, they had a daughter Louisa, 
who died unmarried some years since. Nel- 
son and Sarah Roller were the parents of 
four children — Herman, whose name be- 
gins this article: Elise, residing at home: 
Jessie and Effie, twins, also at home. 

Herman C. Roller, after attending tlie 
common and high schools, began teaching 
school in 1898 in Bloom Township and was 
thus occupied for seven years. As already 
stated, he assumed the duties of deputy 
auditor at Lancaster in 1907 and has since 
rendered the county excellent service in 
this capacity. He is a member of the 
Masonic Order, belonging to Blue Lodge, 
No. 57, F. & A. AL, at Lancaster, and he 
also belongs to the Knights of Pythias 
Lodge, No. 125, at Canal Winchester. He 



has been a life-long resident of this county 
and is a Democrat in politics. 

Mr. Roller married in 1904 Miss Gertrude 
Boyer, a daughter of Marcus and Sarah 
Boyer, of Bloom Township, her parents be- 
ing engaged in farming there. Her mother 
— a native of this county — is still living. 
Mrs. Roller's paternal grandfatiier was 
Daniel Boyer, who married a Miss Shovval- 
ter. Mrs. I^oller was the youngest of ten 
children, her parents' family being as fol- 
lows : Louis E., a resident of the State of 
California: Mary, wife of C. W. Wiser; 
Daniel, a resident of Fairfield County; 
Grace, wife of J. C. Fellers, of Coleman, 
Mich. : Maggie, wife of Arthur Cauffman, 
of Fairfield County ; Nanc}', wife of Dr. J. 
H. Young, of Rock Springs. AN'yoming; 
Gertrude, now Mrs. H. C. Roller; Jessie, 
who died at the age of sixteen years; and 
two others that died in infancy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Roller are well known and respected 
residents of Lancaster, where and through- 
out the county, they have many warm 
friends. 

JOHN V. TUSSING, retired fa'rmer, and 
a justice of the peace and otherwise a 
prominent citizen of Liberty Township, re- 
sides one mile north of Basil, O.. on a forty- 
two-acre farm and owns other land aggre- 
gating 137 acres. He was born on his home 
place in 1862, and is a son of George W. 
and Julia Ann (Giesy) Tussing. 

Perhaps no man in Fairfield County was 
better known or more highly respected than 
the late George W. Tussing. His career he 
made for himself, his early years having 
been darkened by orphanage and hardship. 
He was born in Fairfield County and spent 
his life here, his death occurring in honorefl 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



571 



old age, in 1902. From the age of ten years, 
when he was bound out, he lived in the 
home of Jacoli Giesy until manhood and 
subsequently married Mr. Giesy's sister. 
Naturally he was a man of fine mind and of 
sterling character and his qualifications for 
public oftice were many times recognized 
by his fellow citizens. For thirty-six years 
he was an elder in the Reformed church, 
serving in that office longer than any mem- 
ber of the board, and for twent)^ years he 
looked after the interests of the Sunday- 
school as superintendent. He dietl on his 
farm of seventy-two acres, when aged 
seventy-eight years, leaving two children, 
William H. and John V. William H. Tuss- 
ing is a graduate of Heidelberg University 
and Heidelberg Theological Seminary. 
Since 1888 he has been a minister in the 
Reformed church and is now pastor of St. 
Mark's Reformed church at Pittsburg, Pa. 
He married Cora B. Semuth, of Tififin, O., 
and they have two children : Paul B.. who 
is connected with the Ohio Central Rail- 
road; and Corinne, who is well known in 
musical circles. 

John V. Tussing was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Liberty Township and spent 
two terms at Baltimore, O. He afterwards 
followed farming on the home place until 
1909, when he retired from agricultural 
labor, renting out his land but retaining the 
eld home as a residence. Mr. Tussing's 
many other interests fully occupy his time. 
A leading Democrat of Liberty Township, 
he has served in numerous public capacities. 
For six years prior to his election in 1900 
as a justice of the peace, he had been a 
notary public, and for the same length of 
time was township clerk : for three years 
he was president of the Board of Kducation 
and in January, 191 1. retired from a term 



of six years as clerk of that board. He was 
master of the subordinate Grange at Basil 
for three consecutive terms and for three 
years served as master of Fairfield County 
Pomona Grange; for two years he was 
deputy county master and for six years was 
buyer for the local lodge, of which his wife 
is also a member. He belongs also to the 
American Insurance L'nion. 

Mr. Tussing married Miss Minnie B. Rife, 
a daughter of David Rife, who came to 
Liberty Township, Fairfield County, from 
Pickaway County and became a man of 
political importance here. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tussing have two sons, Robert Rife and 
Wendell Wells, both bright school boys, 
aged respectively fourteen and eight years. 
Mr. Tussing has been a member of the Re- 
formed church since 1878 and for twenty 
years has been secretary of the Trinity Re- 
formed congregation at Basil, Ohio. Since 
1889 he has been also secretary of the Lan- 
caster Class Sunday-school Association. 

M. H. PALMER, D. V. S., who is the 
only member of his profession in Liberty 
Township, Fairfield County, O., has been a 
resident and practitioner at Baltimore ever 
since 1909, when he was graduated in his 
science. Dr. Palmer was born December 
2, 1884. in Franklin Ccnnity, O., and is a 
son of Marion and F'lizabcth (McCray) 
Palmer. 

The ]iarents of Dr. Palmer are farming 
people and they reside in Licking County, 
O. Their family consists of three children, 
all sons — -Clifton, M. H. and Frank. The 
father is a Democrat in politics but is a 
man of ((uiet life and has never desired 
political office. 

M. H. Palmer attended the local schools 
in his vouth and earlv showed an interest 



572 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in caring for the stock on his father's farm 
and this he developed until it resulted in his 
becoming a student at the Ohio State Uni- 
versity at Columbus, where he completed 
his studies and was graduated in 1909 as a 
veterinary surgeon. He established him- 
self at Baltimore and has a large practice. 
In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally 
he is identified with the Red Men and the 
Modern Woodmen. Dr. Palmer was mar- 
ried at Baltimore to Miss Ruth Acker. 

JOHN FRANKLIN HAVER, is part 
owner with his brother-in-law, Rex M. Gill, 
of a valuable farm of 153 acres, situated in 
Sections 20 and 22, Walnut Township, 
which was formerly owned by John Gill, 
grandfather of Rex M. Gill, the said land 
being known as the Sherkliff and O'Day 
farm. He was born on his father's farm, 
two miles east of Millersport, O., June 24, 
1867, and is a son of Eli Daken and Caro- 
line (McMann) Haver. 

George Haver, the grandfather, came to 
Fairfield County in the early days and se- 
cured a large body of land in Walnut Town- 
ship, selecting a tract on one of the highest 
elevations of the county, perhaps in order 
to escape the malarial troubles that so gen- 
erally prevailed at that time in the low-lying 
lands. He spent the remainder of his life 
on that place and left the farm to his three 
children, namely: Elizabeth, who married 
David Weingardner, then a banker at 
Newark, O. (both now deceased) ; W^illiam, 
who still resides at Thurston, O. ; and Eli 
Daken. 

Eli Daken Haver was born on the old 
farm and for many years was largely en- 
gaged in the stock business. He was well 
known also as an auctioneer and cried sales 
all over the county. He subsequently sold 



his portion of the old homestead to his 
brother, William Haver, and then moved to 
Millersport, where he passed the last 
twenty-five years of his life. He died at the 
home of his son, John Franklin, September 
18, 1903, at the age of sixty-two years. His 
widow survives and lives at Millersport. 
They had children as follows : Estelle Kate, 
who is the wife of Thomas Brison, of Wal- 
nut Township; Stanley C, who lives at Mil- 
lersport; Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife 
of Joseph Parish, residing in Liberty Town- 
ship ; Lulu May, who is the wife of Dr. O. 
M. Kramer, of Hebron, O. ; Fannie Belle, 
who is the wife of Rex M. Gill, of Walnut 
Township; Fred T., who lives at Millers- 
port; Eddie M., who lives with his brother, 
John F. ; and Helen Grace, who is the wife 
of Harvey Bowers, residing at Millersport. 
John F. Haver was young when the fam- 
ily moved to Millersport and thus he had 
an opportunity to attend school. His spare 
time was fully occupied in driving stock and 
otherwise assisting his father and later he 
rented and operated a farm near Millers- 
port. In 1899 he formed a partnership with 
Rex M. Gill, who had an interest in the 
2,000-acre farm of his grandfather, John 
Gill, who had been born near Millersport 
after his parents had come to Fairfield 
County from Pennsylvania. In addition to 
the land owned by Rex M. Gill, the partners 
rented 240 acres and together they operated 
366 acres. They still rent and operate 320 
acres northeast of their 153 acres, in which 
Mr. Haver now has a one-half interest. 
They are enterprising and progressive agri- 
culturists, modern in their ideas and meth- 
ods, and produce thereby crops and raise 
stock that reflect credit on this section of 
Ohio. In 1904 some drilling for gas was 
done on the farm. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



573 



On February i, 1904, Mr. Haver was 
married to Miss Carrie Alice Ellinger, a 
daughter of Ernest and Catherine (Doven- 
meyer) Ellinger, and they have three chil- 
dren — Dean Daken, Caroline Belle and 
Lucile. Mr. Haver is an ardent Republican, 
a hearty party worker, and has served two 
terms in the office of township assessor very 
acceptably. 

Rex M. Gill was born on the old Gill farm 
in Walnut Township, on which he still re- 
sides, March 25, 1877, a son of John Thomas 
and Kate (Murphy) Gill. The father died 
September 10, 1891. The mother was born 
in Fairfield County and is a daughter of 
William Murphy, an early settler and a well 
known man in his day. Mrs. Gill resides 
with her son, Re.x M., on the old Gill home- 
stead. On July 29, 1898, Mr. Gill was mar- 
ried to Miss Fannie B. Haver, and they 
have one son, Frederick T. In politics Mr. 
Gill is a Republican. 

G. W. BELT, who is one of the well 
known residents of Liberty Township and 
a lifelong one of Fairfield County, O., was 
born in Walnut Township, January 22, 
1833, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary 
(Parish) Belt. 

The Belt family is one of the oldest in 
this section, its first representative having 
come to Ohio and built his log cabin on the 
site now occupied by the courthouse at 
Newark, O. Benjamin Belt, father of G. 
W. Belt, was born in Baltimore County, 
Md., and came to Fairfield County and set- 
tled in Walnut Township, in 1818. H€ often 
told his children of the difficulties that at- 
tended every kind of work in those early 
days. He cut the prairie grass on the farm 
of the great-grandfather of C. C. Miller, 
endangering his life in so doing, as he had 



to wrap his limbs to the thighs in grass in 
order to prevent snakes from attacking 
them. He followed farming during his en- 
tire life in Walnut Township and died there 
at the age of sixty-seven years. He mar- 
ried Mary Parish, who was born in Mary- 
land and came to Ohio with her parents 
when aged eleven years. Six children were 
born to them, namely: G. W. and Rebecca, 
twins, the latter being now deceased; Mrs. 
James Good, who is deceased; Mrs. Michael 
Kettner, who lives in Walnut Township; 
Ellen, who resides with her brother; and 
Harriet, who died at the age of four years. 

G. W. Belt had but meager educational 
opportunities, but for a time in early boy- 
hood he attended school in a primitive log 
cabin, setting on a slab bench without a 
back to it, as he studied his spelling-book. 
He inherited a farm of 100 acres and con- 
tinued to operate it until 1901, when he 
came to his present place, where he has 
seventeen acres, having sold his Walnut 
Township farm. He now looks after his 
little place, which lies five and one-half 
miles north of Baltimore, and conducts a 
small store, mainly to engage his time, be- 
ing more or less retired from all active 
work. 

Mr. Belt married Miss Rebecca Randall, 
who died in 1907. She was born in Mary- 
land and was brought here in childhood, her 
father dying while she was yet young. Mr. 
and Mrs. Belt had two children : Valentine, 
who lives in California ; and Joseph, who re- 
sides with his father. He married Lizzie 
White and they have one daughter, Ethel. 
Politically, Mr. Belt is a Democrat and he 
has served as township trustee of Walnut 
Township. For over fifty years he has been 
a member of the U. B. Church, of which 
his mother was one of the pioneer organi- 



574 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTS' 



zers and was superintendent of the first U. 
B. Sunday-school in Walnut Township, that 
being over eighty years ago. The Belt 
family has alwa3-s been held in very high 
esteem, being quiet, self-respecting, useful 
people, not large as to numbers but of ster- 
ling character. 

MAHLON MEYERS, a representative 
citizen of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, O., residing on a tract of 26 acres 
at Stoutsville, owns large bodies of rich 
farming land in addition to the home place 
above mentioned. One farm of 161 acres 
lies in Clear Creek Township, while an- 
other, containing 260 acres, is situated in 
Pickaway County. Mr. Meyers was born 
in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, 
O., August 6, 1841, and is a son of George 
M. and Maria (Speght) Meyers. 

George M. Meyers was born in Peuns\l- 
vania, a son of George and Mary Meyers, 
whom he accompanied to Ohio when he 
was eleven years of age. He was a farmer 
all his active life and through thrift and in- 
dustr)' acquired a fine farm in Pickaway 
County. In politics he was a Democrat. 
He married Maria Speght, who was born 
in Ohio and like himself was of German 
ancestry. They were members of the Ger- 
man Reformed church. To them the fol- 
lowing children were born : Peter, who 
died at Stoutsville in 1895 : Mahlon ; Re- 
becca, deceased, who was the wife of Lionel 
Brooks ; and Catherine, who is the wife of 
A. L. Valentine. 

Mahlon Meyers attended school in his 
native township during boyhood and then 
engaged in farming. He followed an agri- 
cultural life in Pickaway County continu- 
ously until the fall of 1899 when he came 
to Stoutsville, retiring from active farm 



labor. He has been one of the reliable and 
trusted citizens here for all these years, has 
been interested in the development of the 
town and section and was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Farmers and Citizens Bank 
of Stoutsville, serving as its first president. 
Politically he is a Democrat and while liv- 
ing in Pickaway County served in public 
office, for two terms being one of the di- 
recting board of the County Infirmary. 

In 1863 Mr. Meyers was married to Miss 
Mary A. Crites, a daughter of Levi and 
Annie (Reichelderfer) Crites, of Salt Creek 
Township, Pickaway County, To them the 
following children were born : Charles Eu- 
gene, a farmer in Pickaway County, who 
married Lola Belle Poole, and has two sons 
— George Ray and Edgar Homer ; Jean- 
ette, who is the wife of Rev, J, M, A\'enrich, 
pastor of a Lutheran church at Wapakon- 
eta, O,, and has one daughter, Frances 
Jeanette; Samuel Homer, a business man 
of Chicago, 111., who married Mattie Bell ; 
and Willison Oscar, a farmer in Pickaway 
County, who married Maggie Groce and 
has two daughters — Alberta and Lucile, 
I\Ir, Meyers and family attend the Re- 
formed church, 

JAMES W. BUCHANAN, postmaster 
at Basil, O., and a justice of the peace, was 
born August i, 1846, in Greenfield Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of 
Stephen P. and Emily (Crane) Buchanan. 

Stephen P. Buchanan was born in Pleas- 
ant Township but died in Logan County, 
O., when aged but thirty-nine years. He 
was a farmer. He married Emily Crane, 
who was a daughter of Samuel Crane, who 
was a farmer in Pleasant Township, and 
she lived to the age of fifty-three years. Six 
children were born to them, namely: 




ME. AND MRS. MAHLON MEYERS 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



577 



Amaiula, who tiled in 1JS83, was the wife of 
Samuel Goss; Harvey, who lives at Atchi- 
son, Kan.; Mrs. I. Gundy, who died in 1910; 
one that died in infancy ; J. W. ; and 
Stephen, who lives at Wilshire, O. 

James W. Buchanan attended school in 
Greenfield Township. He was seventeen 
years of age when he enlisted for service in 
the Civil War, entering Co. K, 17th O. Vol. 
Inf. He marched under General Sherman 
to Atlanta and participated in the campaign 
which included the battles of Resaca, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Jonesboro and Bentonville, 
and was one of the triumphant soldiers to 
take part in the Grand Review at \\'ashing- 
ton, on May 24, 1865. He was mustered 
out on July 16, 1865. at Louisville, Ky., and 
was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, 
at Columbus. He was in a train wreck on 
his way home, in which nine of his comrades 
were killed and twenty were injured, but he 
fortunately escaped. Mr. Buchanan then 
went to work at the carpenter's trade and 
was with J. R. Brandt for seven seasons, 
and also spent two years at the Fairfield 
Union Academ}'. 

In 1870 Mr. Buchanan was married to 
Miss Almeda J. Jenkins, a daughter of Wil- 
liam Jenkins, of Pleasant Township, and 
they have had five children : Gertrude, who 
is clerk in the postofifice ; Estella, who is 
assistant postmaster; Benjamin E., who 
died when aged two years; Edith, who is 
a critic teacher in the rural training department 
at the Ohio University at Athens ; and J. Wil- 
liam, who is in the Ohio University at Athens, 
formerly having been principal of the high 
school at Corning, O. Until within the past 
few years, Mr. Buchanan has taught school 
during the winter season and worked at the 
carpenter's trade in the summer time. In 
1897 he was appointed postmaster by Presi- 



dent McKinley and has served ever since. 
In November, 1907, he was elected a justice 
of the peace. He is secretary also of the 
board of education. Mr. Buchanan and 
family are members of the Reformed church. 
He is identilied with Col. Val Cupp Post, 
G. A. R.. at Baltimore, Ohio. 

GEORGE BARK, one of Amanda Town- 
ship's best known men, has been a resident 
of the western part of Amanda Township, 
since birth and is a son of \\'illiam and Mar- 
garet ( Greiner) Barr, and a grandson of 
Thomas Barr, who spent his active life in 
the same township, with the exception of 
one year passed in Clear Creek Township. 

William Barr was born in Amanda Town- 
ship and lives on a farm near the Pickawaj' 
County line and is one of the most respected 
citizens of his community. He has always 
identified himself with the best interests of 
the township and county, and since early 
in life has been a devout church member. 
He married Margaret Greiner, whose death 
occurred ]\Iay i, 1902, in her sixtieth year. 
She was a daughter of Frederick Greiner, 
whose wife was a member of the Graham 
family. During the summer seasons, Mr. 
Greiner worked as a marble cutter and dur- 
ing the winters he taught school, for some 
time teaching in the high school at Lan- 
caster, O. His death occurred when Mrs. 
Barr was but ten years old. William and 
Margaret Barr became parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Carrie, who lives at 
home; Frank S., who lives adjoining his 
father (married Cora Williamson, daughter 
of Henry Williamson, of Lancaster) ; 
George; Mary, who died in February, 1898, 
aged twenty-nine years ; Nora, who is the 
wife of John Sweyer and lives near 
Amanda; Nellie, who died when about two 



57a 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



years of age; Florence, who is the wife of 
John Solt, of Amanda Township; Fannie, 
who resides with her father; Harry, who is 
a Presbyterian minister, — a graduate of 
Wooster University and of the theological 
department of Princeton University; and 
Frederick, who completed a course in nurs- 
ing, and is now preparing for the medical 
profession at Battle Creek, Mich. William 
Barr is a member of the Presbyterian church 
in which he has been an officer for many 
years. 

George Barr was reared in Amanda 
Township and received a common school 
education. He remained on the home place 
until he was twenty-six years of age and 
then rented his present farm. His first pur- 
chase was 128 acres, lying across the road, 
and his second was the Lyman Allen farm, 
of 100 acres, on the Cedar Hill turnpike 
road, on which is located a large brick 
house, which has been a landmark on this 
road for years. Owing to domestic afflic- 
tion which visited the family in the death of 
two children, he decided to move from the 
place after a residence of two and one-half 
years, selling the property and purchasing 
then 106 acres of the Felix Swope farm, on 
which he now lives. He erected an attrac- 
tive residence in 1906, one comparing favor- 
ably with the best in the township. An 
additional forty acres of the Swope farm 
was recently acquired by Mrs. Barr, through 
inheritance, from an aunt, by whom she had 
been practically reared and who spent her 
last years with Mr. and Mrs. Barr. Mr. 
Barr has been a man of great industry and 
the progress made has been steady and his 
success is well merited. In addition to gen- 
eral farming he has raised and dealt in stock, 
upon occasion going to Kansas to purchase 
mules and shipping them back to Ohio for 
sale. 



On October 18, 1893, Mr. Barr was mar- 
ried to Miss Alice Peters and their wedding 
journey was a trip to Chicago, where they 
attended the World's Columbian Exosition 
during its closing days. Mrs. Barr was born 
in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, O., 
and is a daughter of Rev. Robert W. Peters, 
who was a Baptist minister and also owned 
a farm in Walnut Township. He died Octo- 
ber 3, 1907. His father was Rev. Gushem 
Peters, who was also a Baptist minister. 
Rev. Robert W. Peters married Emma 
Swope, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca 
(Lefever) Swope. Mrs. Peters died March 
17, 1872, leaving two daughters: Rebecca 
Ann, wife of O. J. Waddelle, of Fayette 
County, O. ; and Alice, wife of George Barr. 
After the early death of her mother, the lat- 
ter was reared in the home of her maternal 
grandparents and was educated in the local 
schools and the Ohio Northern University 
at Ada, O. Subsequently she taught school 
in Franklin County. Six children were born 
to George and Alice Barr (four of whom 
are living), namely: Emil Peters, born 
July 26, 1895, died September 8, 1905; 
Lester Glen, born April 5, 1897, died Sep- 
tember 17, 1904: Robert William, born 
January 4, 1899; Albert George, born 
November 24, 1900; Anna Mary, born 
March 22, 1904; and Lucille, born June 10, 
1909. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of 
the Presbyterian church at Amanda and 
Mr. Barr is a trustee of the same. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat. 

JACOB SHREYER, whose well tilled 
farm of 160 acres is situated in Liberty 
Township, two miles north of Basil, is a 
well known and highly respected citizen of 
this section and a leading member of the 
Reformed church at Basil. He was born 
July 24, 1840, in Pike County, O., and is a 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



579 



son of George and Catherine (Weaver) 
Shreyer. 

George Shreyer was of German birth. 
He came to the United States in young 
manhood and became a farmer in Walnut 
Township, Fairfield County, O., and that 
was his business through life. Removing 
to Pike County before the birth of his son 
Jacob, he lived there until the son was two 
years old and then returned to Fairfield 
County with his family on a visit. While 
here his home was broken into and all the 
family possessions were stolen and this in- 
duced Mr. Shreyer to about settle perma- 
nently among his old friends in Fairfield 
County. Inducements were, however, of- 
fered him to settle in Union County and he 
subsequently moved there and for $1.25 an 
acre, bought 175 acres of land. He died 
there when aged seventy-eight years. He 
married Catherine Weaver, a daughter of 
Jacob Weaver, and ten children were born 
to them, namely : Jacob, Ada, Ann, Phebe, 
Keziah, Samuel, Frances, Emma, Mary and 
Delia, all of whom survive except Ada and 
Frances. 

Jacob Shreyer had but meager school ad- 
vantages, attending thirty days at times 
during the winters and walking a distance 
of five miles in order to receive instruction. 
When fifteen years old he had many farm 
duties to perform for his father, as the land 
in that section of Union County had been 
but partially cleared, and later he bought 
fifty acres for himself and remained there 
until 1866, when he came to his present 
farm in Liberty Township. He has made 
all the improvements here and has put up 
all the substantial buildings. General 
farming and stock raising are successfully 
carried on by Mr. Shreyer and his sons, all 
being practical, industrious men. 



Mr. Shreyer was married to Miss Anna 
M. Wagner, a daughter of Daniel Wagner 
and they have had the following children : 
George, who married Ola Detwiler and they 
have four children; Daniel, who is deceased; 
Ella, who is deceased; Wilbert, who mar- 
ried Ida Crawford; Bertha, who married 
Charles Shipe ; Lester, who married Nellie 
Snyder; and Arthur Clive, who is deceased. 
Mr. Shreyer and sons are Democrats. 

JOSEPH YENCER, who now lives re- 
tired at Basil, O., formerly was an active 
business man of this town, dealing in agri- 
cultural machinery and wagons. He is a 
native of Fairfield County, born November 
16, 1843, ^t Dumontville, a son of Joseph 
Yencer. 

Joseph Yencer was born in Germany and 
came to the United States when eighteen 
years of age. He followed the cooper's 
trade at Dumontville, where he died when 
aged forty years. He married Catherine 
Gazelle, who was born in Fairfield County, 
and six children were born to them : Mary, 
who is deceased ; John, who lives in Shelby 
County, 111. ; Elizabeth, who married Jesse 
Brooks and lives at Pleasantville; Joseph; 
Catherine M., who lives in Shelby County, 
111., married first, Jeremiah Imbody, who 
died Nov. 4, 1873, and second, John Tress- 
ler, both husbands being deceased; and 
Samuel, who lives at Dumontville. 

Joseph Yencer attended the country 
schools when he was young and found his 
first work on the farm where he was en- 
araged when the Civil War broke out in 
1861. He was then only seventeen years of 
age but nevertheless became a soldier and 
with a man's courage shouldered his gun in 
Co. F, 17th O. Vol. Inf.. and served three 
years, under Generals Sherman, Halleck 



580 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and Thomas. He was wounded June i8, 
1864, and was confined in a hospital until 
the 26th of the following October, when he 
was deemed sufficiently recovered to return 
home. Among the many battles in which 
he participated were : Wild Cat, Ky., Mil- 
lers' Springs, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge and Stone River. Mr. Yencer rented 
farm land as soon as he was able to return 
to active pursuits and afterward ijought a 
farm and still owns 118 acres in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County. On April 9, 
1891, he moved to Basil and went into the 
business above mentioned, the same being 
now conducted by his son, Perry D. Yencer. 
Mr. Yencer was married to Miss Miner\-a 
J. Kemerer and they have six children : Mil- 
ton, who lives on the home farm, married 
Clara Walker and they have eight children 
— Arthur, James, Charles, Emma, Ellen, 
Catherine, Sadie and William J. ; Martin 
W., who is a physician in practice at Rich- 
mond, Ind., married Jeanetta Hill ; Samuel 
L., now deceased, married Maggie Maze- 
land and they had four children — Harry, 
Ray, Martin and an infant, deceased ; Ada, 
who married Leo Burton, and they live at 
Clinton, la. ; Sadie J., who is the wife of W. 
H. Barr, of Cleveland; and Perry D., who 
is in business at Basil. Mr. Yencer is a 
member of the Reformed church. Politically 
he is a Republican and he is identified with 
the G. A. R. and the Masonic fraternity. 

WILLL^M F. HARTMAN, a well 
known farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant 
Township, residing on his farm of eighty- 
five acres, owns a second farm in the same 
township, which contains eighty acres. He 
was born March 7, 1859, in Pleasant Town- 
ship, and is a son of William and Margaret 
(Mertz) Hartman, both of whom were born 



in Hanover, Germany. The grandfather, 
William Hartman, was the first to establish 
the home in Berne Township, and from 
there the father of William F. Hartman 
mo^'ed to Pleasant Township, more than a 
h.alf century ago. Here his death occurred 
September 25, 1887. He was a member of 
the Lutheran churcli at Lancaster. He 
never desired public office but always took 
an interest in townsiiip affairs and cast his 
vote with the Democratic party. His death 
removed from Pleasant Township a very 
worthy man. 

W^illiam F. Hartman grew to manhood on 
liis father's farm and obtained his education 
in the country schools. Farming and stock 
raising have occupied his attention and he 
has long been numbered with the successful 
agriculturists of this section. In 1892 he 
came to his present farm but he manages 
both his properties and yearly has some 
very fine stock to market. 

Mr. Hartman married Miss Matilda Ruflf, 
a daughter of the late John Rufif, of Hock- 
ing County, O., and they have six children 
— Concordia M., William F., Carl J., Estella 
L., Ralph J. and Mabel. Mr. Hartman and 
family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran 
church at Lancaster, in which he has served 
as a trustee for several years. In his politi- 
cal opinions he is a Democrat. He gives 
hearty support to the public schools and has 
served as director in School District No. 2, 
Berne Township. 

HON. JAMES M. WEAVER, mayor of 
the thriving town of Basil, O., and proprie- 
tor of the only hardware store in the place, 
is a thoroughly representative citizen, an 
active man in public matters and progres- 
sive in business afifairs. He was born in 
1864, in Pleasant Township, Fairfield 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



581 



County, O., and is a son of Solomon and 
Eleanor M. (Kraner) Weaver. ' 

Solomon Weaver was a son of one of the 
old pioneer settlers of Fairfield County, was 
a well known school teacher and later a sub- 
stantial farmer, following agricultural pur- 
suits for twenty-five years. He was prom- 
inent in public afifairs in the county, for a 
quarter of a century being a justice of the 
peace, also deputy auditor, and for fifteen 
years served as deputy probate judge. His 
death occurred on his farm, in 1886, his life 
having been one of honorable usefulness. 
He married Eleanor M. Kraner, who was 
an aunt of ex-Sheriff Kraner, of Fairfield 
County, and six children were born to them, 
namely: W. H., who lives at Tacoma, 
Wash. ; James M. ; Virgil, who is a resident 
of Columbus: Elmer, who lives at Basil; 
Ethel, who is the wife of J. F. Powell, and 
lives at Columbus: and Mrs. Viola Snyder, 
who resides at Basil. 

James M. Weaver attended school in 
Pleasant Township and later completed the 
teacher's course at Pleasantville. He then 
turned his attention to educational work and 
spent five years as a teacher in Fairfield 
County. Subse<iuently he embarked in the 
hardware business at Thurston, where he 
continued until 1900, when he transferred 
his interests to Basil and located first in the 
Manger Building but in 1908 moved into 
his own building, having a fine business 
locatioti. 

Mr. Weaver married Miss Ella Brunner. 
Politically he is a Democrat and during his 
period of residence at Thurston, was town- 
ship clerk of Walnut Township and since 
coming to Liberty Township has been 
township treasurer. In 1907 he was elected 
mayor, going into office January i, 1908, and 
being reelected, is now in his second term. 



He is giving his fellow citizens a clean, 
careful business administration and his 
course meets with general approval. Mayor 
Weaver is identified with the Knights of 
Pythias at Pleasantville, the Masons at 
Baltimore, and the Red Men at Thurston. 

H. E. YOUNG, president of the First 
National Bank of Bremen, O., and also gen- 
eral manager of The Bremen Manufactur- 
ing Company of this place, is additionally 
president and manager of the Bremen Mill 
and Lumber Company. He was born July 
25, 1870. at Vigo. Ross County, O., and is 
a son of E. J. and Sarah (Saylor) Young. 

E. J. Young was born and reared in 
Maine. He was in early manhood when he 
went to Ross County, O., and he there spent 
the rest of his life, his death occurring, in 
.1880. By trade he was a tanner and he 
also engaged in farming. He married Sarah 
Saylor, who was born in Pike County, O., 
and now resides at Commercial Point, in 
Pickaway County. They had three sons 
born to them : J. M.. H. E. and G. H. In 
politics the father was a Republican and 
fraternally an Odd Fellow, and both he and 
wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

H. E. Young completed the common 
school course in Ross County and then at- 
tended a commercial college at Dayton, af- 
terward going to Columbus, where he be- 
came an employe of the Teachout Sash, 
Door and Glass Company, and remained for 
fifteen years. In 1908 he came to Bremen 
and purchased a one-half interest in the lum- 
ber business of the J. B. Turner Lumber 
Company, which was incorporated as the 
Bremen Mill and Lumber Company, of 
Bremen. A branch yard is maintained at 
Rushville. He was one of the charter mem- 



582 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



bers and first directors of the First National 
Bank of Bremen, of which he is president, 
and, as mentioned above, is. general man- 
ager and also a director of the Bremen 
Manufacturing Company,, all these business 
connections being of large importance. He 
is a Republican in politics and has served 
as a member of the Board of Education and 
iis a member of the Town Council of Bre- 
men, being president of this body. In his 
business activities and as a public man and 
private citizen, Mr. Young commands the 
lespect and confidence of his associates. 

Mr. Young was married to Miss Candace 
Hixon, who was born in Pike County, O., 
in February, 1870, a daughter of Benjamin 
and Triphena Hixon, former highly 
esteemed residents of Pike County. They 
have a family of eight children, all of wl.om 
are enjoying many advantages: Erwin J., 
Lucile, Elden R., Zelma, Doris, Loris, Les- 
ter and Paul LeRoy. The family residence 
is on Highland Boulevard, Bremen. Mr. 
Young is a member of the U. C. T. 

JOHN ANDREGG, general farmer and 
a leading citizen of Liberty Township, Fair- 
field County, O., where he owns 106 acres 
on the Ridge road, one and one-half miles 
northwest of Basil, was born in Licking 
County, 0., in 1842, and is a son of John U. 
Andregg, who was a native of Canton Bern, 
Switzerland. 

The father of Mr. Andregg came to the 
United States in early manhood. He was 
a shoemaker by trade and probably settled 
in Licking County, C, because of others of 
his countrymen having found homes there. 
After a time he came to Fairfield County 
and bought sixty acres of land in Liberty 
Township to which he added by thrift and 
industry until he owned 102 acres. He was 



accidentally killed in his fifty-fifth year. He 
married Barbara Sheidegger, who survived 
him and five of their seven children are yet 
living. 

John Andregg obtained his education in 
boyhood in one of the old log cabin school- 
houses of the district, with slab benches and 
other primitive furnishings. As soon as the 
Civil War broke out he became anxious to 
enter the army and on August 4, 1862, en- 
listed in Co. D, 90th O. Vol. Inf., and served 
faithfully until, in the battle of Stone River 
he was so severely injured that it brought 
about his discharge. He recalls his old offi- 
cers with admiration — General Thomas, 
Col. I. N. Ross and Captain Perry. He saw 
hard service and prior to the battle of Stone 
River had taken part in many others, in- 
cluding Perryville and Wild Cat Mountain. 
After he recovered from his injuries he 
worked at various things for a time and 
then, after marriage, settled on his present 
farm in 1872, which is one of the finest and 
best kept-up farms in the township and for 
some years has been under the management 
of his son. Mr. Andregg made all the im- 
provements on his place and has two barns 
— one for sheep and one for cattle and 
horses. One of them is one of the largest 
barns in Liberty Township. 

Mr. Andregg's present wife was formerly 
Minnie Capell and no children have been 
born to this union. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and he has served both as treasurer 
and trustee of Liberty Township and for 
nine years was on the agricultural board. 
He attends the Evangelical church at Balti- 
more, and is identified with the Odd Fel- 
lows and the G. A. R. 

JAMES SCHIRM, a leading citizen of 
Violet Township, township treasurer and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



583 



also treasurer of the township school fund, 
has been engaged in the drug business at 
Pickerington since 1883, and is one of the 
representative men of the town. He was 
horn in Violet Township, May 5, 1858, and 
IS a son of Christopher F. and Catherine 
(Smith) Schirm. 

Christopher F. Schirm was born in Ger- 
many, a son of Christopher F., who brought 
his family to America and settled first in 
Pennsylvania. Christopher F. Schirm, Jr., 
was a young man when the family came to 
Violet Township. He followed the trades 
of brick mason and plasterer and also en- 
gaged in farming. The structure known as 
Job Church, standing south of Pickefing- 
ton, was erected by Mr. Schirm and is a 
specimen of his ability and honesty as a 
mason, showing little of the ravages of time. 
His death occurred in 1897. He married 
Catherine Smith, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

James Schirm was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Violet Township and re- 
mained on the home farm during boyhood 
and youth and then came to Pickerington 
Lnd has been in the drug business here ever 
since he was twenty-five years of age, for 
six years being in partnership with Mr. 
Wright, since which he has been sole oro- 
prietor. He followed in the footsteps of 
his father in his affiliation with the Demo- 
cratic party. Mr. Schirm served four years 
as treasurer of the village of Pickerington 
and in other ofifices of trust and in all his 
financial transactions has deserved the con- 
fidence with which his fellow citizens re- 
gard him. Mr. Schirm married Miss Mary 
J. Bauer, a daughter of John F. Bauer, a for- 
mer resident of Pifkerington. 

D. W. ALT, who is one of Liberty Town- 



ship's representative citizens and success- 
ful agriculturists, carries on general farm- 
ing and stock raising and owns 160 acres of 
fine land on which he lives, and another 
farm of eighty acres, which lies north of 
the first tract. He was born in 1858, on the 
second farm mentioned, situated two and 
one-half miles north of Baltimore, Fairfield 
County, O., and is a son of Emanuel and 
Catherine (Tschopp) Alt, of Swiss ancestry. 

D. W. Alt obtained his education in the 
schools of Liberty Township and has made 
farming and its contingent industries his 
business through life. He came to his pres- 
ent farm in 1892 and has developed his land 
to its fullest capacity. He engages also in 
stock raising and each year has a satisfac- 
tory showing along this line. Since taking 
up his home here he has done a large 
amount of improving, such as appeals to a 
good and careful farmer and all the build- 
ings here he put up with the exception of 
the farm house which was already on the 
place. 

Mr. Alt married Miss Gela Macklin and 
they have two sons: Charles Pearl, who 
operates his father's eighty-acre farm and 
resides directly across the road from the old 
home, married Vera Vial; and Russell W., 
who is a student in the Ohio State Univer- 
sity. Mr. Alt and family belong to the Re- 
formed church at Basil. He is a Democrat 
in politics and has served the township offi- 
cially for many years, being first elected a 
trustee in 1907 and reelected in 1909, and 
for nmeteen years has been a member of 
the county board of agriculture. He has 
served also as a school director and his 
judgment is consulted on all matters of local 
importance, his fellow citizens having full 
confidence in his business capacity and per- 
sonal integrity. 



584 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



GEORGE W. MOSS, a representative 
member of the Lancaster bar and an active, 
interested and useful citizen of Lancaster, 
O., was born in Fairfield County, O., August 
lo. 1870, and is a son of Samuel F. and 
Mary (Hear!) Moss. 

Samuel F. Moss was born in Perry 
County, O., and for many years was a mer- 
chant in Fairfield County. His father, Sam- 
uel Moss, was born in England and when 
he came to America located first in what is 
now West Virginia, moving later to Perry 
County, O., and still later to Fairfield 
County, where he followed farming and 
where his death occurred. Samuel F. Moss 
met an accidental death, being run down 
by a passenger train while driving over a 
railroad crossing in Fairfield County. He 
was survived by his wife who was a native 
of New Jersey. 

George W. Moss obtained his education 
in Fairfield County and studied law in the 
office of George E. Martin, at Lancaster, 
O., where he was admitted to the bar, 
December 7, igoi. He opened his ofifice at 
Lancaster and has been actively engaged 
in practice here ever since. He is a director 
in the Eureka Savings, Loan and Build- 
ing Company of Lancaster, and is its attor- 
ney, and is also a director in the Equitable 
Savings, Loan and Building Company, of 
this city. 

Mr. Moss married Miss Anna C. Eslinger, 
who was born in Fairfield County, O., and 
they have one child, Estella May. They 
are members of the Church of Christ, In 
politics Mr. Moss is a Republican and for 
the past seven years he has been a member 
of the Board of Deputy State Supervisors 
of Elections. His fraternal connections in- 
clude the Odd Fellows, the Knights of 
Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Macca- 
bees, the Pythian Sisters and the Rebeccas. 



GEORGE S. COURTRIGHT, M. D., 
physician and surgeon, at Lithopolis, O., 
enjoys the distinction of being the oldest 
continuous medical practitioner in this city. 
He was born in Walnut Township, Pick- 
away County, O., in April, 1840, and is a 
son of Jesse D. and Sarah (Stout) Court- 
right. 

Jesse D. Courtright, father of Dr. Court- 
right, was a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Grubb) Courtright, a grandson of Abrani 
Van and Effie (Drake) Courtright, and a 
great-grandson of John and Margaret 
( Denmark) Courtright. John Courtright 
was a private in Capt. Henry Shoemaker's 
company, 5th battalion, Northampton 
County, Pa. militia in 1782. Jesse D. 
Courtright was born in 1812 and died in 
1874, aged sixty-two years. He married 
Sarah Stout, who was born in 1808 and 
died in 1882, aged seventy-four years. 

Sarah (Stout) Courtright, mother of Dr. 
Courtright, was a daughter of George and 
Mary (Dunkle) Stout, and a granddaugh- 
ter of George W. and Christina (Weiden- 
hammer) Stout, the latter of whom had 
one son, George, and three daughters. The 
maternal grandfather of Dr. Courtright 
was born in Germany, September 5, 1771 
and died March 7, 1846. He married Mary 
Dunkle, who was born November 3, 1771, 
and died April 6, 1840. They came to 
America on the ship "Samuel," landing at 
Philadelphia August 30, 1730, and George 
\V. and Mary (Dunkle) Stout came to 
Ohio in September, 1808. George W. 
Stout was an ensign in the Berks County, 
Pa. militia in the Revolutionary War. 

Jesse D. Courtright was born in Fairfield 
County, O., and followed an agricultural 
life. He was a man of considerable prom- 
inence politically and was elected to the 
state legislature, serving in 1854-5. His 




/ 




^mu 




AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



587 



family of nine children was as follows: 
Mary Jane, deceased, who married Thomas 
Cole; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of 
E. Westenhaver; Elizabeth, widow of E. F. 
Berry; John, residing- in Walnut Township, 
Pickaway County; S. W., residing- 'at 
Circleville, O. ; Alva P. and E. B., both of 
whom are deceased; George S., and a 
daughter who died in infancy. 

George S. Courtright attended school in 
Walnut Township and later was a student 
in the South Salem Academy and in 1862 
in the Medical College of Ohio. In 1861 he 
was resident physician of St. John's Hos- 
pital and later of the old City Hospital of 
Cincinnati. In November, 1862 he entered 
the Union Army as a surgeon and con- 
tinued a contract surgeon until August, 
1863, when President Lincoln appointed 
him an assistant surgeon in the U. S. vol- 
unteers serving in the Department of Ohio, 
under General Burnside. In September of 
the same year he received an order from 
the Secretary of War to report to the gen- 
eral commanding the Department of New 
Mexico at Santa Fe. At that time the 
only railroad constructed reached no 
farther w-est than St. Joseph, Mo., a small 
branch being projected a little farther to 
touch Fort Leavenworth, but he found that 
his best method would be to travel by boat 
to Kansas City and during the voyage an 
exciting incident was the lodging of the 
boat on a sand bar. After finally reaching 
Kansas City he traveled the intervening 
1,000 miles in the Government mail coach, 
along the mail route, stopping only long 
enough to change horses at irregular dis- 
tances. The young surgeon finally reached 
his destination and served until December, 
1865, his headquarters having been at 
Santa Fe, New Mexico, and later at Fort 



Craig, N. Mex. During 1866-7, 'le was 
demonstrator of anatomy in the Miami 
Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1867 was 
resident physician of the Cholera Hospital 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1868 he came to 
Lithopolis, where he has been established 
ever since. While he had charge of the 
Cincinnati Cholera Hospital, there were 
2,000 victims in that city. He was also one 
of the four physicians who survived the 
succeeding epidemic of smallpox. He is a 
member of the Hocking Valley and Fair- 
field County Medical Associations, is a life 
member of the Ohio State Medical Society, 
belongs also to the American Medical As- 
sociation and is an honorary member of the 
medical society of Middleport, O. For four 
years he served as president of the Pension 
Examining Board and has often been 
particularly honored by various medical 
bodies. 

In May, 1868, Dr. Courtright was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret Cornelia Stevens, of 
Lebanon, O. They have one son, Jesse 
Stevens Courtright, who is a farmer in 
Pickaway County. He married Eveline 
Pontius, of Franklin County, and they have 
six children. For forty-five years Dr. 
Courtright has been a member of the Pres- 
byterian church at Lithopolis, of which he 
is treasurer. Politically a Democrat, he has 
been tendered many offices and for twenty 
years has served on the school board, fre- 
quently as its president. He is a prominent 
Mason, having attained the 32nd degree ; 
also a member of Lancaster Commandery 
No. 2, Knights Templar, and an Odd Fel- 
low. His interest in the G. A. R. organiza- 
tion and the Loyal Legion, has been con- 
tinuous and he has been president of the 
Soldiers' Relief Committee of Bloom 
Township, since its organization. Few 



588 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



men in this section of Ohio are better 
known or more universally esteemed than 
Dr. Courtright. 

RAYMOND R. SNYDER, owner and 
proprietor of the Baltimore Monumental 
Works, at Baltimore, O., is one of the suc- 
cessful, self-made men of this place and is 
an energetic and enterprising citizen. He 
was born November 13, 1887, at Thurston, 
O., and is a son of Edward and Flora (How- 
ard) Snyder. His father was a railroad 
man who died in 1896 at the age of thirty- 
six years, leaving three children — Raymond 
R., Howard and Floyd. 

Raymond R. Snyder attended school at 
Thurston but as the responsibilities of car- 
ing for the family fell on him when he was 
but twelve years old, he had but few oppor- 
tunities for self-improvement. These re- 
sponsibilities he carried until he was twenty- 
one years of age. His first work was done 
in a livery stable, after which he took up 
railroad work and became assistant agent 
for the T. & O. C. Railroad at Thurston. 
He continued to be useful and industrious 
for some years in various lines before he 
was financially able to purchase his present 
business, which was formerly conducted by 
J. F. Albright. Mr. Snyder carries a fine 
line of foreign and domestic granite and has 
built up a business that requires an exten- 
sion of space and at the present writing he 
is rebuilding his works. He has modern 
machinery equipments and is prepared to 
do any kind of stone, granite or marble 
work. 

On November 26, 1908, Mr. Snyder was 
married to Miss Grace White and they have 
one child, Alta, who was born February 26, 
1910. They are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Snyder 



is a Democrat and fraternally he is identi- 
fied with the Masons, the Knights of 
Pythias, the Red Men and the Modern 
Woodmen. 

EDWARD GEORGE KIRN, who has 
been established in the practice of law at 
Lancaster, O., since 1904, is a native of this 
city, born August 5, 1881, and is a son of 
Jacob H. and Elizabeth (Beery) Kirn. 

Jacob H. Kirn was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, in 1845. His father died in 1866 and 
in 1869 he accompanied his mother and one 
brother and three sisters to America. The 
mother died January i, 1909, when within 
a few years of her ninetieth birthday. C. 
F. Kirn, brother of Jacob H., is the owner 
of the Kirn Building, a business structure 
at Lancaster. Two of his sisters survive — 
Catherine and Mrs. Mary Bentz, a widow, 
and a resident of Cleveland. The other sis- 
ter, Elizabeth, who was the widow of 
George Ellinger, died recently. 

Edward G. Kirn was educated in the Lan- 
caster schools and the Ohio State Univer- 
sity Law School at Columbus, and imme- 
diately after securing his diploma of law, 
was admitted to the bar and entered into 
professional work. He devotes himself ex- 
clusively to his practice. In politics he calls 
himself an independent Democrat. Mr. 
Kirn is unmarried. He is a member of the 
Lutheran church. 

L. H. FRITZ, who devotes eighty acres 
of excellent land, situated three and one- 
half miles north of Baltimore, O. — to which 
he is one of the heirs — to general farming 
and stock raising, is a well known citizen 
of Liberty Township. He was born on this 
farm on April 30, i860, son of Joseph and 
Elizabeth Ann (Alt) Fritz. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



589 



Joseph Fritz was born in Ohio, his par- 
ents having come to this state from Penn- 
sylvania at an early day. For one year 
after marriage he was connected with the 
postoffice at Columbus, O., and then came 
to this farm in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County and engaged in farming until his 
death, at the age of forty-one years. He 
married a daughter of Martin and Mary Alt, 
one of the early Swiss families, and seven 
children were born to them, namely: Mar- 
tin, who died at the age of thirteen years; 
Ella, now deceased, who was the wife of 
Adam PofT; L. H. ; Joseph William, who 
lives at Lancaster, O. ; Hannah, who died 
at the age of sixteen years ; Ida, who is the 
wife of Jesse Snyder, of Lancaster; and 
Etta, who is the wife of L. Taggard, of Balti- 
more, O. 

L. H. Fritz obtained his education in the 
country schools. Farming has been his 
main business in life and for seventeen years 
before returned to the homestead he fol- 
lowed agricultural activities in different 
parts of the county. In 1906 he located 
permanently on his present place, where he 
has made improvements and very satisfac- 
torily carries on crop growing and stock 
raising. He married Miss Sarah A. Snider, 
a daughter of Noah and Mary Snider, of 
Liberty Township, Snd they have five chil- 
dren : Ethel A., Ella E., Erma I., Joseph 
Leroy and Mary E. Mr. Fritz and family 
belong to the United Evangelical church. 
Politically he is a Democrat and is serving 
as a member of the township school board. 

P. D. TURNER, who is engaged in the 
milling business at Bremen, O., where he 
is a representative citizen, for the past two 
years being a member of the town council, 
was born September 13, 1873, in Berne 



Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a 
son of Jacob B. and Mary (Miller) Turner. 

He obtained a public school education in 
Fairfield County, after which he went into 
the milling business at Bremen, the firm 
name being the J. B. Turner & Sons Milling 
Company, later the Turner Brothers Mill- 
ing Company, but since 1910 P. D. Turner 
has been sole proprietor, having purchased 
the interests of his partners. His plant is 
modern in every particular and his three 
buildings are well equipped with first class 
machinery. Employment is given to six ex- 
perienced men. Mr. Turner is also a di- 
rector of the Bremen Manufacturing Com- 
pany and one of the charter stockholders. 
In politics he is a Democrat. The Turners 
have all been men of enterprise, and busi- 
ness Bremen owes much to the late Jacob 
B. Turner, who came here in 1890 and 
showed his confidence in the future of the 
place by investing largely in business enter- 
prises here. 

On April 9, 1902, Mr. Turner was mar- 
ried to Miss Frances Wolfe, who was born 
at Lancaster, O., August 13, 1875, a daugh- 
ter of Ezra and Frances Wolfe. They have 
three children, all residents of Bremen — 
Miles, Herbert and Frances. Mr. Turner 
is a member and a trustee of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. The family residence is 
on Marietta Street. 

A. R. McCLEERY, who, in association 
with his brother, J. E. McCleery, operates 
the old McCleery homestead farm of 196 
acres, situated in Liberty Township, was 
born on this place, and is a son of W. C. and 
Martha (Leonard) McCleery. 

W. C. McCleery was born near Hooker, 
O.. but spent many years of his life as a 
farmer and stock raiser in Liberty Town- 



590 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



sliip, Fairfield County, where his death oc- 
curred in August, 1909, when he was aged 
sixty-two years. He married Martha 
Leonard and of their family of children 
there are seven survivors, namely: E. L., 
F. W., A. R., J. E., R. R., Nellie and Flo- 
rence. 

A. R. McCleery and his brother, J. E., 
were both born on their present farm, the 
former in 1879 and the latter in 1881. The 
brothers are not only bound by the close 
ties of kinship, but their interests have 
always been more or less identical, both 
having attended the same schools, inter- 
ested together in the neighborhood social 
life and associated in business. They are 
progressive and enterprising in their agri- 
cultural undertakings and are numbered 
with the good farmers and highly respected 
citizens of this township. Both are mem- 
bers of the Reformed church and in poli- 
tics both are identified with the Republi- 
can party. 

WILLIAM E. FENSTERMAKER, a 
representative and reliable business man 
of Pickerington, C, and senior member of 
the firm of W. E. Fenstermaker & Son, 
manufacturers of drain tile and dealers in 
cement, coal and lime, was born in Violet 
Township, Fairfield County, C, May 16, 
1863. His parents were Philip and Sarah 
(Langle) Fenstermaker. 

Philip Fenstermaker was born in Violet 
Township, Fairfield County, a son of Wil- 
liam Fenstermaker, who was of German 
ancestry but was born in Pennsylvania. 
Philip Fenstermaker spent a few years of 
his life at Carroll, O. ; the rest was passed 
in Violet Township, where his death oc- 
curred in 1900. For forty years he followed 
farming and during this time served in local 



offices, being township trustee and during 
the Civil War a member of the Soldiers' 
Relief Committee of the township. He 
married Sarah Langle, who was born in 
Pennsylvania, of German parentage, who 
survived until 1905. Of their family of chil- 
dren the following are living: William E., 
of Pickerington, O. ; Ida, also of Pickering- 
ton ; Lydia, wife of Lewis H. Stemen, of 
Violet Township; Emma, wife of J. J. Step- 
pert of Violet Township ; Delia, wife of 
Frank E. Hempey, of Madison Township, 
Franklin County; and Clara, wife of Perry 
Fattig, of Athens, O. 

William E. Fenstermaker was reared to 
man's estate in Violet Township where he 
attended the public schools, in which he has 
always taken a deep interest, at present 
being a member of the township board of 
education. In the summer of 1888 he estab- 
lished his present plant at Pickerington and 
is doing a large business. From 1888 until 
191 1 he was sole proprietor but on August 
5, of the latter year he admitted his son, 
Frank R. Fenstermaker to partnership, 
when the present firm style was adopted. 

Mr. Fenstermaker was married Ume 17, 
1885, to Miss Hattie J. Hoy, who was born 
in Violet Township, a daughter of William 
M. Hoy, and they have five children : Omar 
R., secretary of the Columbus Pump and 
Supply Company and bookkeeper, who re- 
sides at Columbus; Cora G., Frank R. and 
Helen M., all of Pickerington ; and Mait- 
land H., who is nov\' deceased. Mr. Fen- 
stermaker and family are members of the 
LTnited Brethren church, of which he is a 
trustee. For many years he has been one 
of the leading men of township and village. 
For five years he served as township clerk, 
at present is a justice of the peace, has been 
village treasurer and a member of the coun- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



591 



cil and for two years served as mayor. He hold a political office, this being against his 



is a wide awake, progressive man, one who 
has always recognized the gravity of true 
citizenship and has striven to bring about 
conditions favorable to the public at large. 
A stanch Democrat, his party places re- 



principles. He was a liberal member of the 
Baptist church. 

Mr. Koontz was married to Miss Sarah 
Miller, whose father, Peter Miller, once 
owned a valuable farm in Fairfield County. 



liance on his judgment and for a number of They had six children, as follows: Cora, 

years he has been a member of the Demo- who married Lewis Newbaner (their one 

cratic County Central Committee. He is child, Jessie, married William Turbin and 

identified with the order of Odd Fellows at they have a daughter, Ruth) ; Charles M., 

Pickerington and with agricultural bodies who lives in Columbus, married R. Weaver, 

of local importance and has been appointed and has one son, Gardner: P. D., who ope- 

a delegate to the International Congress rates the home farm for his mother mar- 



ried Lilly Rife, and has had four children 
— Coral, Rife, Ona, and Chester, now de- 
ceased; B. F., who is a farmer in Licking 
County, O., married Ida Miller and has six 
children — Earl, Elzie, Ruth, Hazel, Olive 



of Agriculture, to be convened at Colum- 
bus, O. 

JAMES KOONTZ, was long ago one 
of the representative men of Liberty Town- 
ship and was respected and esteemed by and Jesse; Nettie, who married Clifford 
all w'ho knew him during a long and peace- Reese; and Maude, who married Charles 
ful life. He was born in Union County, O., Stanbery, a newspaper man of Zanesville, 
and died in Fairfield County, August 8, O., and has two children — Jennings W. and 
1908, at the age of seventy-four years. Donald S. Mrs. Koontz and family belong 

James Koontz was a school boy when he to the Baptist church, 
was brought to Fairfield County and here 

completed his education, which was better ROSS F. JOHNSTON, who is secretary 

than that acquired by many of his school and treasurer of the Bremen Mill and Lum- 

mates, as he had a very enquiring and re- ber Company, of Bremen, O., which has a 



tentive mind. His chosen vocation was 
farming and he made his seventy acres one 
of the most productive in the township, giv- 
ing it constant and intelligent care. He was 
practical and thorough-going in everything 
he did and his farm activities were carried 
on in this way and with excellent results. 
Taking an owner's pride in his surround- 
ings, he erected the substantial buildings 
that remain on the place and, as oppor- 
tunity offered, made many improvements 
that added to the health and comfort of his 
family. Although a stanch Democrat in 
his political views, he never consented to 



branch yard at Rushville, O., is a represen- 
tative business man of Bremen. He was 
born September 16, 1888, in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a 
son of C. A. and Clara (Purvis) Johnston, 
old residents of Rushville. Of their six chil- 
dren, Ross F. was the first born. 

Ross F. Johnston attended the Rush- 
ville schools and then took a business course 
in the Bliss Commercial College, at Colum- 
bus, O. On -A.pril i, 1909, he came to Bre- 
men and identified himself with the Bremen 
Mill and Lumber Company, which is an in- 
corporated concern, and of which he is sec- 



592 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



retary and treasurer. Although somewhat 
young to fill so important a place in a large 
enterprise, he possesses what is known as 
business faculty and ably keeps up his 
branch of the company's work. In politics 
he is a Republican and belongs to the Pres- 
byterian church of West Rushville. He is 
identified with the Odd Fellows at Bremen. 
He was married Sept. 7th, 191 1, to Miss 
Esta O. Morrow of West Rushville, O., a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Morrow. 

SAMUEL GOSS, whose valuable farm 
of eighty acres is situated one and one- 
half miles northwest of Basil, C, is one of 
the old and highly respected residents of 
Fairfield County. He was born in Pleasant 
Township, Fairfield County, November i, 
1833, and is a son of John and Anna 
(Doomy) Goss. 

The parents of Mr. Goss were born in 
Switzerland. John Goss came to Fairfield 
County in 1817, where he cleared up a farm 
from the wilderness and lived on it until his 
death, at the age of seventy-four years. 
He married Anna Doomy, who was brought 
to America when a child of seven years. 
Her father lived into extreme old age, being 
two months over 100 years at the time of 
his death. She was the third wife of John 
Goss and became the mother of five chil- 
dren, three of whom are yet living: Samuel ; 
Abraham, who conducts the old farm in 
Pleasant Township; and Mrs. Maria Gundy, 
of Huntington County, Ind. 

Samuel Goss obtained his education in 
the district schools of Pleasant Township 
and then helped his father on the home 
place until his marriage. He has resided 
on the present farm since 1865 and has 
placed all the improvements here. Five 
years ago he lost his barn by fire but 



erected a new one. He still looks after the 
operation of the farm himself and is called 
one of the successful agriculturists of Lib- 
erty Township. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics and at different times has served accept- 
ably in local offices, having been township 
treasurer and school director. For many 
years he has been a member of the Grange. 
Mr. Goss married Miss Amanda Buchan- 
nan and they have had eight children, 
namely: Ida Florence, who is deceased; J. 
v., who lives at Basil, C; Lizzie Dell, who 
lives at Pittsburg, Kans. ; Emily J. and 
Bertha, both of whom reside at home ; 
Frank S., who is engaged in the practice of 
dentistry at Spencerville, O. ; Jessie M., 
who lives at home ; and Edna F., who re- 
sides at Columbus. Mr. Goss and family 
belong to the Reformed church. 

WILLIAM O. HUSTON, a general 
farmer in Pleasant Township, and a mem- 
ber of the township board of trustees, was 
born in Richland Township, Fairfield 
County, O., November 17, 1869, and is a 
son of Alexander E. and Sallie (Murphey) 
Huston. 

Alexander E. Huston was born in Pick- 
away County, O., and was nine years old 
when he accompanied his father, William 
Huston, to Fairfield County. The latter 
was a native of Ireland who came as an 
early settler to Pickaway County and died 
in Fairfield County about 1890. Alexander 
E. Huston has been a resident of Fairfield 
County for about sixty years. He married 
Sallie Murphey, who was born in Richland 
Township, Fairfield County, and of their 
children the following survive: William O. ; 
Mrs. Margaret Ruff, of West Rushville, O. ; 
Arley, living at Amanda, O. ; and Arthur 
A., residing in Richland Township. During 




LEVI BltKiMT 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



595 



the Civil War, Alexander E. Huston was 
a soldier for eleven months and during that 
time took part in numerous battles and was 
made a prisoner and confined in Libby 
Prison at Richmond. 

William O. Huston was reared in Rich- 
land Township and attended school there. 
Farming has been his main business 
through life and it is one he thoroughly un- 
derstands. On December 24, 1895, he was 
married to Miss Lizzie M. Black, who was 
born in Rush Creek Township, a daughter 
of James Black, a former resident, and they 
have two daughters, Miriam L. and Olive 
E. Mr. Huston and family are members 
of the Presbyterian church at West Rush- 
ville. He is identified with the Masons at 
Rushville and with the Odd Fellows at 
West Rushville. Mr. Huston has been a 
Democratic voter ever since casting his first 
ballot. He was elected to his present olifice 
of trustee in January, 19 10, and is proving 
acceptable to his fellow citizens in this 
capacity. 

EDWARD P. SPARKS, M. D., a phy- 
sician and surgeon at Basil, Fairfield 
County, O., is engaged in a general practice 
at this place, although formerly he made a 
specialty of surgery and in that field of prac- 
tice won many professional triumphs. Dr. 
Sparks was born at Shawnee, Perry 
County, O., June 5, 1875, and is a son of 
Rev. L. B. and Josephine Morgan (Holmes) 
Sparks. 

Rev. L. B. Sparks and wife were both 
born in Licking County, O. He is a clergy- 
man and is pastor of Spencer Chapel, of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, at Ironton, O. 
There were four children in his family: 
Edward P.; Grace, who is the wife of a Mr. 
Sharp and resides in Nova Scotia ; Olive, 



who resides with her husband at Colum- 
bus ; and an infant, now deceased. 

Edward P. Sparks attended school in the 
various places to which his father was sent 
as a Methodist preacher, and secured his 
medical training in the Ohio Medical 
University, where he was graduated in 
1898. Through merit he was appointed 
superintendent and surgeon in charge of 
the hospital at McKendree, W. Va., while 
there being also surgeon for the C. & O. 
Railroad. He is a member of the West Vir- 
ginia Medical Association, the American 
Hospital Association, the American Medi- 
cal Association and a life member of the 
Surgical Club at Rochester, Minn. On 
July I, 191 1, Dr. Sparks located at Basil and 
has every reason to be satisfied with his 
choice of permanent home and field of use- 
fulness. 

Dr. Sparks was married to Miss Grace 
Miller, of Millersport, O., a daughter of 
Mathias and Lavina Miller. They have one 
child, Josephine Miller, who was born May 
20, 1907. Dr. and Mrs. Sjiarks are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
is prominent in Masonry, being a Knight 
Templar and "Shriner," and belongs also 
to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of 
Pythias. 

LEVI BRIGHT, one of the busy and en- 
terprising business men of Millersport, O., 
dealing in hay, grain, lumber, tile, cement, 
hides, etc., is also a successful farmer and 
owns 164 acres of fine land in Walnut 
Township, near this town. He was born 
in the old log house on his father's farm in 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., 
C)ctober 11, 1843, ^^'^ 's a son of John and 
Sarah (Arnold) Bright. 

John Bright was probably born after his 



596 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



parents came to Fairfield County from 
Pennsylvania. His life was devoted to 
agriculture and he spent it on his farm in 
Greenfield Township, where his death oc- 
curred in 1887, when he was aged seventy- 
eight years, having outlived his wife. They 
had eleven children, namely: Thomas, 
Mary, Warner, Louisa, Levi, William, Nel- 
son, George, Jacob, Catherine, and besides 
several others that died in infancy. 

Levi Bright went to the district school in 
boyhood and as soon as he was old enough, 
went to work on the farm. Ohio was a 
very loyal State during the Civil War and 
Mr. Bright was eager to enlist as a soldier 
fully two years before he accomplished his 
purpose. In 1863 he enrolled under Cap- 
tain Weekley, in Co. I, 17th O. Vol. Inf., 
and served faithfully until the close of the 
war. He took part in that memorable 
march to the sea, under General Sherman 
and participated in many very hard-fought 
battles but was fortunate enough to escape 
injury. Finally he was mustered out of the 
service at Louisville, Ky., and then re- 
turned home and resumed peace-ful pur- 
suits. In 1879 he moved to his present 
farm, on which he erected all the buildings, 
in 1884 building his commodious modern 
residence. He carries on general farming 
but has not devoted all his time to crop and 
stock raising. He has been a successful 
merchant and before opening his present 
store at Millersport, he operated a drug 
store for two years and a hardware store 
for seven years. 

Mr. Bright was married January i, 1877, 
to Miss Louisa A. Miller, a daughter of 
David and Anna Miller, and they have 
three children: Charles, who married Lil- 
lian Smith; Etta A., who married Clay 
Reiber, and has one child, Edna; and H. 



Clay, who married Ada Belt. Mr. Bright 
and family belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal church. In politics he is a 
Republican. 

HON. A. F. TURNER, who is serving 
in the Ohio Legislature in his second term 
as a representative of Fairfield County, be- 
longs to a prominent and substantial family 
of this section which has had much to do 
with the upbuilding of Bremen, O. He was 
born on his father's farm in Berne Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, August 11, 1861, 
and is a son of J. B. and Mary E. (Miller) 
Turner. 

Jacob B. Turner was born August 19, 
1835, in Madison Township, Fairfield 
County, and died at Bremen, July 2, 1909. 
When he was five years old his parents 
moved to Preble County, where his father 
died in 1845 ^nd the widow then returned 
to Fairfield County with her children. 
Jacob B. Turner obtained his education in 
the district schools and followed farming 
until 1885, when, in association with his 
sons, George, Albert and William, he em- 
barked in a grain and mercantile business. 
In 1892 he erected a large mill at Bremen 
and later invested still further, buying the 
gas plant and financing other enterprises 
which have been promotive of much of the 
prosperity of this town. He married Mary 
E. Miller, who died in 1905 and both she 
and her husband were interred in the Bre- 
men Cemetery. Her father was Michael 
Miller, Sr. Ten children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Turner, eight sons and two daugh- 
ters. 

A .F. Turner, after his school days were 
over, taught school for four years in Berne 
Township and afterward was associated 
with his father in the mercantile and mill- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



597 



ing business. The store was operated 
under the style of J. B. Turner & Sons, and 
after it was sold the milling business was 
carried on under the name of Turner 
Brothers. A. F. Turner at present is not 
an active partner but continues as a di- 
rector. He is one of the charter directors of 
the Bremen Bank Company, which was or- 
ganized in 1897 and incorporated in 1906, 
with a capital of $25,000, and for one and 
one-half years he served as cashier of this 
institution. He assisted in the organization 
and was president of the Bremen Oil and 
Gas Company, of Bremen, which was later 
sold to the Carter Oil Company. Mr. Tur- 
ner has always been an interested citizen 
and an active Democrat. He was a mem- 
ber of the first town council of Bremen and 
served one term as mayor. In 1908 he was 
first elected to the legislature and in 1910 
was reelected. He is interested in many 
public spirited enterprises of this section 
and is more or less concerned in almost all 
the flourishing business concerns of the 
place. 

Mr. Turner was married to Miss Mabel 
Mason, who was born at Sugar Grove, Fair- 
field County, and is a daughter of Dr. T. R. 
Mason, of Columbus, O. He is identified 
fraternally with the Masons, Odd Fellows 
and Knights of Pythias. 

MATHIAS V. MAUGER, who is asso- 
ciated with his eldest son in the furniture 
and undertaking business at Basil, conducts 
the only establishment of this kind in the 
place and is the oldest business man in this 
line in this section of Fairfield County. He 
was born May 29, 1854, in Liberty Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of 
Peter and Sarah (Stout) Mauger. 



Peter Mauger and wife were natives also 
of Fairfield County and spent their lives 
after marriage on a farm in Liberty Town- 
ship. His wife died at the age of seventy- 
six years. They had three children: 
Mathias V.; Bradson, who died in 1902; 
and Charles, who owns a farm in Liberty 
Township. 

M. V. Mauger attended the township 
schools and assisted on the home farm until 
he was nineteen years of age, when he 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for some seven years. After mar- 
riage he resumed farming and so continued 
until 1886, when he came to Basil and 
started into the furniture and undertaking 
business, being the pioneer in this line in 
this place. Mr. Mauger is known all over 
this part of Fairfield County as an efficient 
and honorable business man and his serv- 
ices are solicited all through the surround- 
ing territory. His furniture stock is heavy 
and he carries all kinds of undertaking 
goods and is well equipped for funeral di- 
recting, having both a black and a white 
car, together with an ambulance for emer- 
gency cases. Since 1907 Mr. Mauger has 
had his son, Elmer L., in partnership. 

Mr. Mauger married Miss Catherine 
Zerkle, of Fairfield County, and they have 
two sons, Elmer Lee and Floyd E. The 
former married Clara Alspaugh. The lat- 
ter is unmarried and is well known in 
athletic circles, being a member of the Co- 
lumbus Base Ball team. Politically, Mr. 
Mauger and two sons are Democrats and at 
times he has served acceptably in various 
township ofifices. He is identified frater- 
nally with the Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of Pythias. With his family he 
belongs to the Reformed church. 



598 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



CHARLES J. NESSLEY, one of the 
prominent and substantial citizens of Violet 
Township, township trustee and owner of 
two valuable farms, aggregating 260 acres, 
was born in Etna Township, Licking 
County, 0., August 5, 1871, and is a son of 
George W. and Mary (Bowers) Nessley. 

George W. Nessley and his wife were 
both born in Fairfield County, and his death 
occurred in 1900. His widow survives and 
resides at Reynoldsville. The Nessleys 
have been residents of Ohio for many years, 
the grandfather, Jonas Nessley, coming 
with his father from Pennsylvania at an 
early day and settling near New Salem, in 
Fairfield County. The late George W. 
Nessley served more than three years in 
the Union Army during the Civil War, be- 
ing a member of the First O. Vol. Cavalry. 
After his marriage he removed to Licking 
County and settled in Etna Township where 
he was engaged in farming for many years. 
He was a highly respected resident of that 
section and served several terms as town- 
ship trustee. 

Charles J. Nessley was reared in Etna 
Township. In boyhood he attended the 
country schools and later passed four terms 
at the Ohio Normal School and thus quali- 
fied himself as a teacher. However, Mr. 
Nessley has found agriculture more pleas- 
ing and profitable than school teaching and 
has mainly devoted himself to farming, 
stock raising and stock dealing, and with 
a large amount of success. He came to 
Violet Township in 1900 and has 160 acres 
in his home farm. All his land shows the 
effects of careful cultivation and good man- 
agement in every department. 

Mr. Nessley was married September 27, 
1897, to Miss Claudie G. Tussing, who was 
born in Truro Township, Franklin County, 



O., a daughter of Whitcomb Tussing, of 
that section. Mr. and Mrs. Nessley have 
three children — Ralph Dewey, Carl Tus- 
sing and Mary. In his political views Mr. 
Nessley is a Democrat and his public spirit 
and usefulness to his community are shown 
by his performance of the duties imposed 
on him as a township trustee. He takes 
these duties seriously and is an honest and 
efficient public official. 

PETER MAUGER, who, as a little boy 
of seven years wearily tramped with his 
parents over the Allegheny Mountains in 
1837, coming from Pennsylvania to Ohio, 
has long been one of the substantial citi- 
zens of Liberty Township, where he now 
lives retired. He was born in 1830 in Berks 
County, Pa., a son of William and Eliza- 
beth (Molder) Mauger. The father and 
his family stopped for several years in Pick- 
away County, where he was a carpenter 
and farmer, then went back to Berks 
County, Pa., for about six months' stay, 
but in 1840 they all came back to Fairfield 
County. The father settled on land in Lib- 
erty Township, four miles from the present 
farm and there both he and his wife died, 
his death occurring when he was almost 
eighty-three years of age and his wife sur- 
viving to be ninety-five. They were parents 
of twelve children, as follows: Albert, who 
died when aged six months ; William, who 
was accidentally killed by a horse when he 
was aged forty-two years; Abraham, who 
died when aged sixty-three years ; Henry, 
now in his eighty-third year, who lives in 
Indiana; Peter; Mary, who lives in Okla- 
homa ; Catherine, who lives east of Balti- 
more ; Elizabeth, who resides near Etna; 
Joseph, who lives near Johnstown; Levi, 
who died when aged sixty-one years ; Mar- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



599 



tin, who lives near Baltimore; and Aaron, 
who died when aged forty-two years. 

Peter Mauger went to school in one of 
the little log schoolhouses that were built 
by the early settlers in Liberty Township. 
He then helped his father until he was 
twenty-two years old, when he married 
and then worked for his father-in-law for 
eleven years. His first purchase of land was 
a tract of seventy-two acres, to which he 
added eighteen acres, situated near Balti- 
more, O., still later buying eighty-six acres. 
He has sold all his land, his son, Charles 
Mauger, owning the farm of eighty-six 
acres near Basil. During his active years 
Mr. Mauger carried on farming and stock 
raising and was a very successful agricult- 
urist. 

Mr. Mauger married Miss Sarah Stout, 
who was born in Pennsylvania and died on 
this farm, October i, 1906. They had three 
children: Branson, who is deceased; M. V., 
who is a resident of Basil; and Charles. 
The youngest son married Miss Emma 
Shriner and they have a bright young son 
of eight years, Roscoe Paul. In politics 
Mr. Mauger is a Democrat. He has been 
a member of the Reformed church since 
he was seventeen years of age, for many 
years was a deacon and is one of the elders. 
Mr. Mauger has seen considerable of his 
own country, having at different times 
visited Atlantic City, Philadelphia, the Blue 
Mountain region, Michigan and Canada, 
and has spent two winters in Florida. 

C. W. BROWN, M. D., physician and 
surgeon at Bremen, O., is one of the 
younger members of his profession in Fair- 
field County, and considering the wide ter- 
ritory that his practice covers, it might be 
inferred that he is one of the busiest. He 



was born at Lancaster, O., April 13, 1888, 
and is a son of R. F. and Katherine (Wil- 
son) Brown. 

Dr. Brown was educated in the Lan- 
caster schools, after which he turned his 
attention to the study of medicine and sub- 
sequently entered the Starling Medical Col- 
lege at Columbus, where he was graduated 
in the class of 1910, coming immediately to 
Bremen. Here he opened an office and has 
met with a large degree of professional suc- 
cess. His practice covers three miles to the 
north of Bremen, five miles to the east, 
seven miles to the south and four miles to 
the west, which, with a constant office prac- 
tice, keeps him busily employed. He is a 
member of the Fairfield County Medical 
Society. He votes with the Democratic 
party but is active in public matters only 
so far as interests and intelligent and con- 
scientious citizen. Dr. Brown married 
Marie Strachan, daughter of William and 
Alice Strachan of Lancaster. 

O. T. DOTY, a successful general 
farmer, who has lived on his home farm of 
fifty and one-half acres, situated in Liberty 
Township, Fairfield County, O., for the 
past twenty-three years, owns also a second 
farm, containing 140 acres, which lies in 
Violet Township. He was born in the lat- 
ter township in 1868, and is a son of J. C. 
and Julia (Ritter) Doty. He is the young- 
est of three children, having one sister, Ida 
F., who is the wife of David Stoltz, living 
at Columbus; and a brother, Henry W., 
who lives on the old place with the aged 
parents. 

O. T. Doty obtained his education in the 
district schools and Pleasantville Academy 
and after his school days were over came to 
his present home farm. He has taken a 



600 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



great deal of interest in the place, which 
was the old Martin Brumbach farm, and 
has greatly improved it. He also operates 
his other farm and engages extensively in 
farming and stock raising and is one of the 
busy men of the county. 

Mr. Doty married Miss Rosie Reelhorn, 
a daughter of Washington Reelhorn, a na- 
tive of Fairfield County, who died at the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Doty when aged 
fifty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Doty have 
had three children : Hazel, who is the wife 
of Charles Yeager, of Liberty Township ; 
Gladys, who died when one year old ; and 
Helen, who is a school girl of eight years. 
In politics Mr. Doty is a Democrat and he 
served one term as township assessor. 

WILLIAM M. DICK, proprietor of the 
Pickerington Lumber Company, at Picker- 
ington, O., dealing in lumber and builders' 
supplies, is one of the younger business 
men of this thriving town and one if its 
most enterprising. He was born in Butler 
County, Ala., March 31, 1883, and is a son 
of Meshack and Mollie (Blackwell) Dick, 
both of whom were born in Alabama. The 
mother of Mr. Dick is now deceased, but 
the father survives and is a resident of 
Kentwood, La., where he is engaged in 
agricultural pursuits but formerly was a 
lumber manufacturer. 

William M. Dick was reared in Butler 
County and from the age of ten years he 
has been self s'upporting. As circumstances 
compelled him to go to work in boyhood, 
he had fewer favorable educational advant- 
ages than are afforded many youths, but 
he was ambitious to learn and attended 
night schools. He began work as a water 
boy in a planing mill later became an em- 
ploye after learning the business, and still 



later, for three years was in the sawing de- 
partment in the mill of Flowers & Pleagler, 
a well known lumber firm at Forest, Ala. 
For several years afterward he was con- 
nected with the firm's office work and then 
became bookkeeper and assistant manager 
for the Koons Lumber Company, of Eu- 
banks, Miss. For a short time he was con- 
nected with the North Columbus Lumber 
Company after coming to Ohio, and in Feb- 
ruary, 191 1, he established his present busi- 
ness at Pickerington. 

On June 25, 1907, Mr. Dick was mar- 
ried to Miss Inez Koons, who was born at 
Athens, O., a daughter of Francis M. 
Koons, who is president of the North Co- 
lumbus Lumber Company. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dick have two children, Marion and Helen. 
Mr. Dick votes with the Democratic party. 

PERRY MACKLIN, who resides on the 
old homestead farm on which he was born 
in 1850 and which is situated two miles 
northwest of Basil, in Liberty Township, is 
a son of Philip Macklin, who was born in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County. His 
father came to this county from Pennsyl- 
vania. During the married life of Philip 
Macklin he lived on the present farm and 
at time of his death owned 162 acres. 

Perry Macklin obtained his education in 
the district schools and has devoted his life 
ever since to agricultural efforts. To the 
farm of 162 acres left by his father he has 
added and now owns 207 acres, all land well 
adapted to farming and stock raising. 
With the exception of two years passed in 
Illinois, Mr. Macklin has spent his life on 
this farm on which he has made many im- 
provements both in remodeling buildings 
and erecting new ones. His land gives evi- 
dence of careful cultivation and an appear- 



I 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



601 



ance of thrift and general prosperity is 
evident. 

Mr. Macklin married Miss Sarah F. 
Smurr, a daughter of Isaac Smurr, who fol- 
lowed the trade of a tailor at Baltimore, O. 
Mr. and Mrs. Macklin have two children: 
Ora, who married Lottie Fitzer and has 
two children — Iloe and Lavanche ; and 
Ethel Fern, who is the wife of Clarence 
Goss and has one child, Wayne Emerson. 
Mr. Macklin and family are members of the 
Reformed church in which he has served as 
deacon and has been trustee for the last 
eighteen years. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat and at times has accepted local offices 
and has been very useful as a trustee of the 
township. He belongs to the Masonic 
lodge at Basil and to the Eastern Star and 
is also a member of the Grange. 

WILLIAM W. STEMEN, a valued member 
of the board of trustees of Violet Township, 
where he is engaged in farming and .stock rais- 
ing, was born on his present home farm, 
October 4, 1864, and is a son of Nicholas and 
Lydia (Brenneman) Stemen. 

Nicholas Stemen and wife were born in 
Perry County, O., where their parents were 
early settlers. Grandfather Nicholas Stemen 
was of Gemian extraction but was born in 
Rockingham County, Pa., from which section 
he moved to Perry County, O., and passed 
many years there. Nicholas Stemen, Jr., mar- 
ried in Perry County and when he moved to 
Violet Township, Fairfield County, was the 
father of two children, others being subse- 
quently born. Five of them yet survive, 
namely : John B., of Pickerington, O. ; Nancy, 
wife of Wesley Mosier, of Violet Township; 
Lewis H. and William W., both of Violet 
Township; and Emma, wife of Thomas Long- 
streth, also of Violet Township. In politics Mr. 



Stemen was a Republican but was never willing 
to accept public office. When he died, in 1897, 
the community lost a man of sterling worth. 
His widow survived him until January, 1908. 
They were consistent members of the Men- 
nonite church, quiet, virtuous people who set 
good examples to their family and in their 
neighborhood. 

\\'illiam W. Stemen grew up on the home 
farm and naturally turned his attention to farm 
pursuits. He has 164 acres which he devotes 
to general agriculture and is one of the leading 
stock raisers of the township, making a spe- 
cialty of Shorthorn catle and frequently hav- 
ing fine herds worthy of exhibition. 

In March, 1889, Mr. Stemen was married to 
Miss Martha J. Wright, who was born in 
Franklin County, O., a daughter of Daniel 
Wright of Madison Township, Franklin 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Stemen have one daugh- 
ter, Ella M. Politically a Republican, Mr. Ste- 
men is loyal to his party and is useful to his 
township as one of its careful and observing 
trustees. He is interested in public afifairs and 
movements which give promise of being gen- 
erally helptul and among these he places good 
schools and good roads. With his family he 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Pickerington, O. 

S.AMUEL W. BLACK, a well known gen- 
eral farmer of Rush Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, O.. resides on his well improved 
farm of eighty acres, which lies two and pne- 
lialf miles from Bremen, O., was born on the 
old Black homestead in this township, where 
his venerable father, Robert J. Black, still lives, 
probal:)ly the most aged resident of this part of 
the county. He was born in Ireland and was 
brought to America at the tender age of 14 
years. 

Samuel W. Black has one brother, John W. 



602 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Black, also of Rush Creek Township. A sister, 
Mary, is now deceased. The brothers attended 
the district schools and were reared to agricult- 
ural pursuits and both have more or less con- 
fined their attention to farming and stock rais- 
ing. In 1900 Samuel W. Black located on his 
present farm, and as he has reason to believe 
that oil may be successfully developed here, he 
is having the necessary drilling done and in the 
near future may have productive wells in opera- 
tion. Mr. Black is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is a stanch Republican 
in his political views and is an intelligent and 
well-informed man. Mr. Black has never 
married. 

153 

A. M. MYERS, general farmer and stock 
raiser, residing on his farm of eighty acres 
which is situated in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, 0., ten miles west of Lancaster, is one 
of the representative men of this township and 
is now serving as a member of its board of 
trustees. He was born on this farm in 1847 ^"^ 
is a son of Michael and Rachel (Kratz) Myers. 

Michael Myers was born in Bucks County, 
Pa., and came from there to Fairfield County in 
1835, locating first one mile north of the pres- 
ent homestead, to which he moved some months 
later and this land has remained in the posses- 
sion of his family ever since. He spent the re- 
mainder of his life here, a man of industry and 
of exemplary life, his death occurring when he 
was almost eighty-five years of age. He mar- 
ried Rachel Kratz who was also of Pennsyl- 
vania Dutch ancestry, and to them eleven chil- 
dren were born, two daughters and four sons 
of the family still surviving. 

A. M. Myers was reared on the home farm 
and has always lived here. When his father 
died he bought the interests of the other heirs 
and took full possession, afterward making 
many improvements and enlarging the farm in- 



dustries and is one of the successful agricult- 
urists of this section. He is a man of progres- 
sive views and is a valued member of the local 
Grange. 

Mr. Myers married Miss Anna Ault, a 
daughter of one of the old Swiss pioneers of 
Fairfield County, and they have had two chil- 
dren : Alma B., who married Edward C. Out- 
calt, of Basil, O., and has three children — 
Harry E., lona May and Eveline; and Austin 
B., who married Lydia True. In politics Mr. 
Myers and son are Republicans and he enjoys 
the distinction of having been the first Repub- 
lican trustee ever elected to office in Liberty 
Township. In 1909 he was elected township 
trustee and has proven himself a wise and 
capable member of the official board. With his 
family Mr. Myers belongs to the Reformed 
church. 

THOMAS W. WRIGHT, jury commis- 
sioner of Fairfield County, C, and a charter 
member of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, is one of the best known citizens of 
Berne Township, where he has resided for the 
past thirty-five years, devoting his land to gen- 
eral farming and stock raising. He was born 
December 25, 1852, at Lancaster, O., and is a 
son of Josiah and Judith A. (Church) Wright. 

The Wright family is of Scotch-Irish extrac- 
tion. Josiah \\'riglit was born at Wilkesbarre, 
Pa., and after coming to Lancaster, O., engaged 
in the manufacture of grain drills, being the 
senior member of the firm of Wright and 
Selby, which continued in business there for a 
number of years. At a later date, Josiah 
Wright engaged in farming in Hocking Town- 
ship for several years and then secured the 
farm which is now the property of his son, 
Thomas W., which was formerly known as the 
old Thomas Ewing farm. There Josiah 
Wright died in December, 1893. He was a 




JACOB T. HUBER 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



605 



man who attended closely to his business, 
whether manufacturing or farming, and his 
excellent judgment and sterling traits of char- 
acter were recognized by his associates and 
neighobrs. He was a Democrat in politics but 
never accepted any office except membership on 
the school board. He married Judith A. 
Church, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. 
Thomas W. Wright was mainly reared in 
Hocking Township and obtained his schooling 
there. On November 6, 1879, he was married 
to Miss Lizzie Pearce, who was born in Berne 
Township, a daughter of William Pearce, a 
member of one of the old families of this town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have tw-o sons, 
Frank J. and Orville P. Politically Mr. 
Wright is a Democrat. 

JOHN GROVE, who is a well known cit- 
izen and successful farmer residing three miles 
northeast of Bremen, O., was born on the old 
Grove homestead in Rush Creek township, 
Fairfield County, in 1874, and is a son of Wil- 
liam and Delilah (Derr) Grove. 

William Grove was bom in Pennsylvania 
and was brought to Fairfield County by his 
parents when he was six years old. He re- 
mained here during the rest of his life and fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. He was a well 
known and highly respected man. He married 
Delilah Derr, who survived him many years, 
her death occurring January 16, 1909. They 
had five children : Edward, Cleason, Kate, 
Hattie and John. Edward resides at Bremen 
and married Isabel Funk. Cleason lives on a 
farm one and one-half miles north of Bremen 
and married Hattie Hodge. Hattie married 
Walter Young and they live one-half mile 
northeast of Bremen. Kate married Wilbur 
Young and they live one and one-half miles 
east of Bremen. It was a matter of great satis- 
faction to Mr. and Mrs. Grove to thus have 



their children so comfortably settled near them 
and within visiting distances of each other. 

John Grove obtained his education in the 
Rush Creek township schools and has always 
lived on the old homestead, where he has 
eighty-seven acres of excellent land. In pol- 
itics he is a Republican but none of the Groves 
have ever been seekers for public office. They 
are all busy, industrious, practical and prosper- 
ous men. Mr. Grove has never married. He 
has five oil wells on his farm, producing about 
23 barrels daily. 

JACOB TAYLOR HUBER, one of 
Pleasant Township's most substantial citi- 
zens, resides on his estate of over 300 acres 
of fine land, which he devotes to general 
farming and stockraising. He was born 
January 13, 1847, in Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County, O., and is a son of David 
and Hannah (Lamb) Huber. 

David Huber was born in Pleasant 
Township, a son of Jacob Huber, who 
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and 
came from there to Fairfield County 
quite early, settling in Pleasant Town- 
ship, w-here he lived until his death. 
David Huber spent his entire life in Pleas- 
ant Township, where his death occurred in 
1876. He w'as a Republican in politics and 
was a member of the Reformed church, at 
Lancaster, O. He married Hannah Lamb, 
a daughter of Jacob Lamb, who was one 
of the early settlers in Richland Township, 
Fairfield County. Of the children of David 
and Hannah Huber, the following survive: 
Jacob Taylor; and Elizabeth, wife of Ed- 
ward E. Beattie, of Pleasant Township. 
Three memebrs of the family are deceased 
-^William H., Harvey C. and Winfield S. 

J. Taylor Huber grew to manhood on 
the old homestead in Pleasant Township 



606 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and was educated in the district schools 
and the Fairfield Union Academy. Agri- 
cultural interests have claimed his atten- 
tion all his life. He has one of the best im- 
proved estates in Fairfield County and his 
handsome residence which stands on the 
Pleasantville turnpike road, is a model 
rural home and is fitted with all modern 
comforts and conveniences. 

Mr. Huber was married first to Cathe- 
rine Bush, of Greenfield Township, a 
daughter of Daniel Bush, and they had two 
children: Anna V., who is now deceased; 
and Ada T., who is the wife of L. H. Pur- 
sell, of Lancaster, O. Mr. Huber was 
married secondly to Jennie Miesse, a 
widow, who had one daughter, Relnah F., 
who is a student in Delaware University, 
at Delaware, O. Mrs. Huber is a daughter 
of Henry M.. and Catherine (Weist) 
Brandt, natives of Fairfield County. Her 
paternal grandfather came from Pennsyl- 
vania and at an early date settled in Green- 
field Township. Henry M. Brandt was a 
justice of the peace in Greenfield Township 
for a number of years and also township 
trustee. Mr. Huber is a Republican in 
politics. He is identified with the Odd 
Fellows at Pleasantville and with the Elks 
at Lancaster. 

PETER FOGLESONG, who has resided on 
his well cultivated farm of seventy acres, 
which is situated on the Cedar Hill turnpike 
road in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, 
O., three and three-fourths miles from Lan- 
caster, for the past twenty-eight years, is one 
of the prosperous and highly respected resi- 
dents of this section. He was born June 6, 
ICS46, in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, 
and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth 
(Stukey) Foglesong. 



Christian Foglesong was born in Pleasant 
Township, his father, Christian Foglesong, 
having moved to Fairfield County from Mary- 
land, in 1800, his people having settled in 
Maryland after emigrating from Germany. 
The Foglesongs were pioneers in Pleasant 
Township and they found many Indians still 
roaming through the forests and wild animals 
were still a menace to the settlers. The older 
generation passed away in Pleasant Township 
and Christian Foglesong, Jr., came into posses- 
sion of the homestead and passed his entire life 
there. He married Elizabeth Stukey, who was 
born in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, 
and of their family of children three survive, 
namely : Emanuel, who resides in Pleasant 
Township; Peter, who is a resident of Hocking 
Township as mentioned above; and Simon, 
who is a resident of Lancaster. 

Peter Foglesong was reared on the home 
farm and attended the country schools in boy- 
hood. Since 1883 he has resided on his present 
home, carrying on general farming, and has 
improved his property and carefully cultivated 
his land. He married Miss Minerva Miesse, a 
daughter of Joseph Miesse, who was once a 
well known citizen of Greenfield Township, 
and they have four children : Harley A., who is 
a farmer in Chippewa County, Minn. ; William 
P., who also lives in the above county; Ray M., 
who remains with his father in Hocking Town- 
ship; and Leota L., who is the wife of Ben- 
jamin Lape, of Circleville, O. Mr. Foglesong 
and family belong to St. Peter's Lutheran 
Church at Lancaster. Politically the Fogle- 
songs have always been Democrats. 

JOHN H. MILLER, whose fine farm of 
212 acres lies in Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, O., has been a lifelong resident of this 
county and for years has been a well known 
business man. He was born at Lancaster, O., 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



607 



November 7, 1850, and is a son of Gottleib F. 
and Charlotte (Frederick) Miller. 

Gottleib F. Miller was born in Wertemberg, 
Germany, a son of Frederick Miller, and was 
fifteen years of age when he accompanied his 
parents to America. They located first at 
Philadelphia, Pa., and from there came to 
Lancaster, O., where Frederick Miller fol- 
lowed the shoemaking trade during the re- 
mainder of his life. In his father's shop, 
Gottleib F. Miller learned the shoemaking 
trade, which he followed at Lancaster and for 
some years, under the firm name of G. F. 
Miller & Son, was in business with John H. 
Miller in the boot and shoe business at Lan- 
caster. He was a member of the German 
Lutheran church and in that connection and in 
every other he enjoyed the esteem of all who 
knew him. He married Charlotte Frederick, 
who was born in Baden, Germany, and of their 
children the following are living: Catherine, 
who is the widow of Henry Gerken, lives in 
Hocking Township ; Mary, who lives in Hock- 
ing Township ; John H. ; Wilhelmina, who is 
the wife of John Zeisler, of Columbus ; and 
William and Emma, both of whom live at 
Columbus. 

John H. Miller remained with his parents 
and went to school at Lancaster, attending the 
regular public school and also having private 
instruction. He learned his father's trade and 
afterward was taken into partnership, as above 
stated, and continued in the business until 
1896, when he turned his attention to agricul- 
ture and has resided on his present farm since 
the spring of 1900. He carries on general 
farming and stock raising, has fine orchards 
and has comfortable surroundings. 

Mr. Miller married Miss Catherine C. 
Blume, who was born in Wertemberg, Ger- 
many, a daughter of John Blume who was a 
native of Germany who settled in Hocking 



County, O., with his family and died there. 
The following children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller: Ella E., who is the wife of Rev. 
Theodore Engelder, of Mt. Clemens, Mich.; 
Christian, who is deceased; William H., who 
lives in Berne Township ; Dora, who is the wife 
of Lewis Bauer, of Clear Creek Township ; and 
Laura, Edward G. and Carl T., all of whom 
live in Berne Township. Mr. Miller and family 
are members of the German Lutheran church 
at Lancaster, of which he is a trustee, and 
while a resident of the southern part of the 
township, he served for fifteen years as super- 
intendent of the Sunday-school of St. James 
German Lutheran Church. Politically a Demo- 
crat, he has frequently been called into local 
political councils and for nine consecutive years 
served as a member of the township school 
board. 

DAVID CRIDER, who has been engaged in 
the mercantile business at Delmount Station, 
Fairfield County, O., since the spring of 1907, 
was born in Hocking County, O., October 18, 
1845, and is a son of David Crider, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who was an early settler in Salt 
Creek Township, Hocking County. 

David Crider attended the local schools in 
his boyhood and worked on his father's farm. 
During the Civil War he enlisted for the special 
100-day service and did guard duty for about 
six months in the city of Washington. After 
he returned to Hocking County he followed 
farming until he came to Fairfield County. He 
was a farmer in Hocking County for about 
twenty-five years before embarking in the gen- 
eral mercantile business at Delmount Station 
and is well known all through this section. 

Mr. Crider married Miss Elizabeth Van 
Fossen, who was born in Ohio and they have 
had eight children, namely: Hattie, wife of 
Marble Starling, of Minnesota; Allie, wife of 



86 



608 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Samuel Raymond, of Hocking Township; 
Stella, who is now deceased; Emma, wife of 
William Hamilton, of Pleasant Township; 
Josephine, deceased ; Rosella, residing at home ; 
Lucy, wife of William Cupp, of Greenfield 
Township; and Christina, wife of William 
Good, of Hocking Township. The mother of 
the above family died June 8, 191 1, and left a 
wide circle of friends as well as her family to 
mourn her loss. 

CHRISTIAN LECKRON, general farmer 
and stockraiser, residing in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, his property lying three and one-half 
miles northeast of Bremen, O., was born in 
1843, in Fayette County, Pa. His parents were 
Christian and Catherine (Sprinkle) Leckron. 

Christian Leckron, the father, was born in 
Pennsylvania and from there came to Rush 
Creek township, Fairfield County, in the 
thirties, settling on the farm on which his son 
Christian now lives. Here he spent a long and 
busy life, dying at the age of eighty years. In 
Pennsylvania he married Catherine Sprinkle, 
who survives, being in her eighty-seventh year. 
They had twelve children born to them, as fol- 
lows: Mrs. Mary Griggs, who lives at Rush- 
ville, O. ; Reuben and Amanda, both of whom 
are deceased; James, who lives in Gallia 
County, O. ; Mrs. Malinda Sennett, who re- 
sides at Bremen, O. ; Catherine and Albert, 
both of whom are deceased ; Christian ; Leroy, 
deceased, who was a physician; Gilbert, de- 
ceased, who was a school teacher; John C, who 
is a resident of Columbus; and Mrs. Ellen 
Johnson, who is deceased. 

Christian Leckron attended the district 
schools in Rush Creek township in boyhood 
and then took up farming on the homestead. 
He afterward learned the milling business to 
which he devoted his time for the greater part 
of twenty-three years. His mill is situated 



west of his farm and is operated by water 
power. There are three productive oil wells on 
his place. 

Mr. Leckron was married to Miss Lizzie 
Randolph, who was born two miles north of 
New Lexington, in Perry County. Her father, 
Isaac Randolph was born in Pennsylvania and 
moved from there to Perry County, where he 
w as a farmer. He married Maria Ankron and 
they had four children: Angeline, who is de- 
ceased; Creighton, who lives on the old Ran- 
dolph homestead; Everett, who also lives on 
the home place; and Lizzie (Mrs. Leckron). 
Mr. and Mrs. Leckron have one daughter, she 
being the wife of W. Guyton. Politically, Mr. 
Leckron is a Democrat. He has served in the 
office of school director and has always taken 
an interest in matters of local importance. 

PROF. WILLIAM WALTER, a well 
known educator of Ohio, who has been prin- 
cipal of Crawfis Institute, located in Berne 
Township, Fairfield County, O., since the 
spring of 1907, is a man of scholarly attain- 
ments, one who is well qualified for the import- 
ant position he fills. He was born in Marion 
Township, Hocking County, O., November 20, 
1864, and is a son of Mathias and Lydia 
(Ruff) Walter. 

Mathias Walter was born in Germany and 
was brought to America by his parents when 
six months old. They settled in Hocking 
County, O., and there the child grew to man's 
estate and became one of the substantial farm- 
ers of Marion Township. He still resides on 
his farm there, being now in his seventieth 
year. 

William Walter was reared on his father's 
farm in Marion Township and in boyhood at- 
tended the district schools. Having a love of 
knowledge and possessed of considerable am- 
bition, he was not satisfied with the learning so 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



609 



acquired, and later became a student in the uni- 
versity at Athens, O. When twenty years of 
age he taught his first term of school. He con- 
tinued his educational work in Hocking County 
for the next five years, coming to Fairfield 
County in i88g and accepting school duties in 
Berne Township. He was principal of the 
public school at Sugar Grove for seven years 
and later, of the Rushville High School, where 
he taught for five years. In the spring of 1907 
he accepted the principalship of Crawfis Insti- 
tute, and additionally is superintendent of the 
public schools of Berne Township. Students 
from all over Ohio come for educational train- 
ing to Crawfis Institute. It is a first grade pre- 
paratory High School for college and in its list 
of recjuired studies may be found many^ that 
are in the usual college curriculum. This in- 
stitution also prepares teachers for the public 
school work. Prof. Walter has three teachers 
as assistants. This school was a philanthropic 
idea of John Crawfis, a former well known 
citizen of Berne Township, who founded and 
endowed it and it has been in operation since 
1889, its aims and accomplishments being along 
the line of higher education. 

Prof. Walter was married to Miss Sarah E. 
Kull. who was born in Fairfield County, a 
daughter of Lewis Kull, who is now a resident 
of Berne Township, and they have four chil- 
dren : Clara L., Edward F., Mabel M. and Ray- 
mond L. C. Prof. Walter has been closely 
identified with educational progress for many 
years and has shown his deep interest by con- 
necting himself with many of the leading or- 
ganizations of the county and state. He is a 
member of the Ohio State Teachers' Associa- 
tion, and of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle 
of which he is county secretary. He belongs 
also to the Fairfield County Teachers' Institute 
and is a member of its executive committee ; 
and additionally is a member of the Ohio State 



Association of Township Superintendents. He 
has served for six years as county examiner on 
the Fairfield County Board. In politics he is a 
liberal Democrat, and in his religious connec- 
tion he is a member of the German Lutheran 
body. 

A. V. COURTRIGHT, a well known citizen 
of Bloom Township, was bom on the old 
Courtright homestead, on which he lives, sit- 
uated on the Lithopolis and Lancaster turnpike 
road, May 6, i860, and is a son of Zephaniah 
and Sarah (Williamson) Courtright. 

Zephaniah Courtright was born in Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County, O., a son of 
Abram V. Courtright, who was a native of 
Luzerne County, Pa., and a grandson of John 
Courtright, \\ho had also been born in that sec- 
tion of Pennsylvania. It was John Courtright 
who was the pioneer of the family in Ohio, and 
in 1802 he settled with his family on the farm 
now owned by his great-grandson, A. V. Court- 
right. His log cabin was built in the woods 
and a lonely place it seemed at that time, as he 
was the first landowner and settler here. Many 
pioneer hardships were encountered but never- 
theless the family increased and has prospered 
to the present day. Zephaniah Courtright 
spent his entire life in Bloom Township, fol- 
lowing farming and also raising and dealing in 
cattle. His death occurred February 13, 1897. 
He married Sarah Williamson, who was also 
born in Bloom Township. They reared a very 
creditable family and six of their children sur- 
vive, namely: Silas W., who lives in Greenfield 
Township; Mrs. A. J. Musser, who lives at 
Lancaster, O. ; Mrs. H. J. Kneisley and Mrs. 
R. V. Allen, both of whom reside also at Lan- 
caster; and Abram V. and Mary L., both of 
whom live in Bloom Township. In politics 
Zephaniah Courtright was a Republican. For 
some years he was a member of the Grange, 



610 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Patrons of Husbandry, taking a deep interest 
in promoting the ends to which its efforts were 
directed, and he belonged also to the Odd Fel- 
lows and attended the lodge at Greencastle. 

A. V. Courtright was educated in the public 
schools of Bloom Township, the High School 
at Lithopolis, afterward attending and graduat- 
ing from the Iron City Business school at Pitts- 
burg, Pa. Since then he has devoted himself 
largely to agricultural pursuits on the old 
homestead, where he has 330 acres of land, and 
makes something of a specialty of buying and 
feeding stock. Politically a Republican, he 
takes an interest in his party's success but is 
more concerned in business affairs than in 
political matters, outside of the demands of 
good citizenship. 

J. J. JOHNSTON, who carries on general 
farming and stock raising, owns the old family 
homestead of ninety-five acres, situated three 
miles northeast of Bremen, O., his grand- 
father's old farm, on which he was born in 
1858 and has spent his life. He is a son of Ed- 
ward and Mary Ann (Barr) Johnston. 

Edward Johnston was born on the farm 
above mentioned, August 6, 1823, and spent his 
long life here engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
his death occurring March 19, 1886. During 
his lifetime he made many improvements but 
continued to use the log barn his father used. 
On October 14, 1847, he married Mary Ann 
Barr, who was born in Fairfield County, April 
12, 1824, and died here February 23, 1877. 
They had the following children born to them : 
Martha Elizabeth, born August 5, 1848, died 
April 25, 1849; Sarah Catherine, born Feb- 
ruary 24, 1850, married Frank Spiece; Henry 
Clinton, born December 13, 1853, resides at 
Bremen ; John F., born April 7, 1856, died July 
22, 1861; J. J.; and Emma, born August 11, 
1863, who died on the same day. 



When his father's estate was settled after 
death, J. J. Johnston purchased the interests of 
the other heirs and continued on the old home- 
stead. Through careful cultivation this has 
been converted into one of the best farms of 
Rush Creek Township. He was remodeled the 
house, which is now a fine home, and erected 
all other farm buildings. Mr. Johnston con- 
tinues in the active management of all his ac- 
tivities here, producing crops and stock which 
are creditable to his industry and judgment and 
take first rank with any in this section. He 
married Miss Margaret Ann Poling. They are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Bremen. He is a Republican in politics. 

J. S. MATHENY, postmaster at Sugar 
Grove, O., and an honored veteran of the Civil 
War, was born in Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, O., March 28, 1841, and is a son of 
John H. and Elizabeth (Beall) Matheny. 

John H. Matheny and wife were both born 
in Licking County, O., and the former was a 
son of Jacob Matheny, who moved from Lick- 
ing County to Fairfield County, when John H. 
was small. The latter was reared in Berne 
Township and became a surveyor and civil en- 
gineer. His death was accidental, he being 
drowned in Rush Creek, in November, 1852, 
when aged thirty-four years. 

J. S. Matheny was reared in Berne Town- 
ship and obtained his schooling there and after- 
ward taught school for four winter terms, de- 
voting his summers to farming. He was one 
of the first in his section to respond when the 
call came in 1861 for soldiers to assist in sup- 
pressing rebellion, enlisting on April 16 of that 
year, in Co. B, 2nd O. Vol. Inf., which became 
a part of the Army of the Potomac. He was 
on duty at Washington City, at Alexandria and 
Fairfax, Va., and during this first enlistment 
of three months, participated in the first battle 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



611 



of Bull Run. He was honorably discharged, 
but in July, 1863, reenlisted, entering Co. A, 
5th Independent Battalion O. Cav., for six 
months and did dutj' during the Morgan Raid 
in Ohio, and later accompanied his command 
to Kentucky, it being called there to check the 
depredations of guerrilla bands. His period of 
service covered some eight months, when he 
was again honorably discharged and returned 
to Columbus, O., where he resided until 1876, 
in the meanwhile having studied law, been ad- 
mitted to the bar and engaged in practice and 
for a time was also interested in handling real 
estate there. Mr. Matheny subsequently re- 
turned to Berne Township, where he engaged 
in farming from 1876 until 1881, when he ac- 
cepted a position as night watchman at the Ohio 
Boys' Industrial School in Fairfield County, 
which he retained for twelve years. On Oc- 
tober I, 1904, he was appointed postmaster at 
Sugar Grove and has resided here ever since. 
He is a stanch Republican and has been a 
strong party worker and has always been in- 
terested in educational matters, serving eleven 
years as a member of the township school 
board . He is commander of Chickamauga 
Post, G. A. R., No. 583, at Sugar Grove. 

Mr. Matheny was married to Miss Chris- 
tianna Jackson, a daughter of Col. E. P. Jack- 
son, formerly of Hocking County, O., who was 
lieutenant-colonel of the 58th O. Vol. Inf., dur- 
ing the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Matheny had 
eight children born to them, namely: Mary E., 
deceased; Ezra S., residing at Cooksville, O. ; 
Belinda A., wife of Thomas Smith, of Lan- 
caster, O. ; Martha, residing at Sugar Grove : 
Grace, a teacher now in North Dakota; Edith, 
wife of C. C. Berry, of Sugar Grove; Grant, of 
Sugar Grove; and Catherine, who is assistant 
postmaster at Sugar Grove. Mr. Matheny and 
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 



GEORGE W. RUBLE, a substantial citizen 
and successful farmer of Bloom Township, in 
which section he has spent forty-five years of 
his life, owns 281 acres of fine land which he 
has under cultivation. Mr. Ruble was born in 
Hocking Township, Fairfield County, July 10, 
1835, and is a son of George and Eliazbeth 
(Shore) Ruble. 

George Ruble was born in Virginia and was 
six years old when he accompanied his parents 
to Fairfield County, O.. the family settling in 
Hocking Township, then a wilderness, where 
the father died shortly afterward. The mother 
of George Ruble kept her family together and 
reared her children, probably enduring many 
hardships for their sakes. George Ruble be- 
came a farmer and carried on his agricultural 
pursuits in Hocking Township during his many 
years of active life, afterward retiring and liv- 
ing into his nineteenth year. He married Eliza- 
beth Shore, who was born in Fairfield County, 
and of their children there are two survivors — 
Isabel, still residing in Hocking Township, and 
George W. 

George W. Ruble was reared in Hocking 
Township. He had as favorable school oppor- 
tunities as the neighborhod afforded at that 
time and very early began to learn practical 
farming. About 1866 he moved from Hocking 
to Bloom Township and took possession of his 
present farm, on which he has resided ever 
since, during which time he has enriched and 
improved it. On February 20, 1866, he was 
married to Miss Sarah C. Ingman, who was 
born in Hocking Township, a daughter of 
Eden and Mary (Williamson) Ingman, and a 
granddaughter of Henry Ingman, the latter a 
native of Virginia who came at an early day to 
Fairfield County. Mrs. Ruble has one brother, 
Henry J. Ingman, who lives in Pickaway 
County, O. Seven children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Ruble, the second born, Clothilde, be- 



612 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ing now deceased. The others are : William C, 
residing in Hocking Township ; George E., also 
residing in Hocking Township; Samuel B., 
Raymond R. and Felix K., all residing in 
Bloom Township; and Lulu, wife of Bertram 
Alspach, residing in Franklin County, O. Mr. 
Ruble and family attend the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

FRANK E. KERN, a prosperous farmer 
and well known citizen of Hocking Township, 
Fairfield County, C, owns 103 acres of fine 
land here which he devotes to general agricult- 
ure. He was born in this township, December 
8, 1854, and is a son of Francis and Catherine 
(Gerber) Kern. 

The parents of Mr. Kern were born in 
Alsace, France, now a part of the German em- 
pire. In 1845 Francis Kern and wife and their 
one son, emigrated to America, crossing the 
Atlantic Ocean in one of the old, slow-sailing 
vessels of that time, and after landing imme- 
diately made their way to Fairfield County, O., 
securing land for farming purposes in Hocking 
Township. They were hard working, frugal 
people and became possessed of ample means 
that provided for their old age. Francis Kern 
died in 1866. Both he and wife were members 
of the Roman Catholic church. They had a 
large family of children and five of these are 
living, as follows : David, who is a resident of 
Denver, Colo. ; Frank E., Joseph, who lives at 
Liberal, Kans. ; Catherine, who is the wife of 
Joseph Vagnier of Hocking Township ; and 
Clara, who lives at Lancaster, O. 

Frank E. Kern attended the country schools 
in boyhood and helped his father on the home 
farm and later enjoyed additional educational 
advantages, attending Cobbs' Commercial Col- 
lege at Painesville, O., where he was graduated 
in 1878. He has found that this knowledge 



has been of great advantages to him in doing 
business and has made him independent of out- 
side help in many ways in carrying on the many 
activities that engage the attention of the 
modern farmer. For a time he resided in 
Amanda Township and while there was a 
member of the special school district of 
Amanda village. 

On June 18, 1883, Mr. Kern was married to 
Miss Josephine Spires, who was born in Hock- 
ing Township, a daughter of Jospeh Spires, a 
retired farmer of Lancaster. Ten children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kern : Mary E., 
Lewis B., Walter J., Bertha F., Blanche, 
Harry, Irene, Clara, Ray S. and Adell. Mr. 
Kern and family are members of the Roman 
Catholic church. In politics he is an Independ- 
ent, being a man who does his own thinking 
and votes according to his own judgment. 

HENRY S. ECKERT, general farmer and 
stock raiser, resides on his valuable farm of 
125 acres, situated in Berne Township, Fair- 
field County, O., was born in this township, 
March 5, 1859, and is a son of Henry S. and 
Anna M. (Shaffer) Eckert. 

Henry S. Eckert was born in Lancaster 
County, Pa., and his wife in Fairfield Coimty, 
O. He was two years old when his mother 
died and he was reared by an aunt in Clear 
Creek Township, Fairfield County. When he 
reached manhood he learned the cabinet-mak- 
ing trade, which he followed for a number of 
years and then engaged in farming and stock 
raising. He was a inan well and widely known 
and very highly respected. His death occurred 
in the early eighties. Of his children there are 
fi\'e 3'et living, namely: Jacob L., of Cotton- 
wood, Ida. ; Catherine E., wife of H. E. Field, 
of Lancaster, O. ; James R., living in Alberta, 
Can. ; Henry S. ; and Clara E., who is the wife 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



613 



of Dr. Jolin B. Rosenberg, of Berne Township. 
The father of the above family was identified 
with the Masonic fraternity. 

Henry S. Eckert, who bears his late father's 
name, was reared in Berne Township and ob- 
tained his education in the public schools. He 
has devoted his life in large part to agricultural 
pursuits, has his farm .well tilled and raises very 
fine stock. On October 25, 1900, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Nellie F. Shattuck, a daughter of 
\\'illiam and Mary A. (Brevoort) Shattuck, 
the former of whom was born in Franklin 
County, O., and is now deceased. The mother 
of Mrs. Eckert resides at Columbus, O. Mrs. 
Eckert was born and reared in Clinton Town- 
ship, Franklin County, O. Mr. and Mrs. Eck- 
ert have two children, Ruth and William S. In 
politics Mr. Eckert is a Republican. 

CHRISTIAN KELLER, a leading business 
man at Lancaster, O., who conducts a retail 
grocery on the corner of Columbus and Chest- 
nut Streets, was born at Lancaster, December 
26, 1865, and is a son of John B. and Elizabeth 
(Hartman) Keller. 

John B. Keller was born in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, and came to America in 1857, 
locating in Logan, O. During the Civil War 
he was a member of Co. D, 170th O. Vol. Inf., 
and served as a soldier until he was severely 
wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. This 
injury was in his elbow and caused him to lose 
the use of his left arm. He returend to Ohio 
and embarked in the mercantile business at 
Lancaster, in which he continued until 1888, 
when he retired and is now in his seventy- 
second year. He is a member of Ben Butler 
Post, G. A. R. He married Elizabeth Hart- 
man in January, 1865, who was also born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, and still survives. They are 
members of the Lutheran church. They had 
the following children born to them : Chris- 



tian; Elizabeth; John H., of Lancaster; Chris- 
tina, wife of Charles Yontz, of Logan, where 
he is in the dry goods business ; Margaret and 
Ida, both residing at home; Rose, wife of Dr. 
U. S. Abbott, formerly of Fairfield County but 
now residing at Point Richmond, opposite San 
Francisco, Calf. ; and Clara, who is the wife of 
X. V. L. Garrison, of Columbus, O. 

Christian Keller obtained his education in 
the Lancaster schools and until his father re- 
tired from business, was connected with him. 
In 1888 he embarked in business for himself 
and now conducts the largest retail grocery es- 
tablishment at Lancaster. 

Mr. Keller was married in 1900 to Miss 
Sophia L. Ranch, a daughter of Ernest and 
Catherine Ranch, of Lancaster, and they have 
three daughters : Catherine Elizabeth, Rose 
Augusta and Christine Louise. Politically Mr. 
Keller is a Democrat and he has been a mem- 
ber of the city council for two terms. He has 
become one of the foremost business men of 
this city through hard work and close attention 
and stands very high as a citizen. He is a 
member of the Board of Trade in which he 
takes an active interest and served as president 
of the same for a number of years. 

I. N. STEMEN, whose excellent farm of 
seventy-two acres lies one and one-half miles 
east of Bremen, O., in which neighborhood his 
family has long been known, was born on an 
adjoining farm. August 27, 1864, and is a son 
of Emanuel and Barbara (Welty) Stemen. 

Emanuel Stemen was also born in Rush 
Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., his 
father having been a pioneer here from Penn- 
sylvania. It was Grandfather Stemen who 
cleared and improved the old homestead which 
is still in the family, at the present time being 
the home of Charles Stemen, brother of I. N. 
Stemen. For some twenty years Emanuel 



614 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Stemen has resided with his wife at Bremen. 
They had five children born to them, as fol- 
lows: I. N., subject of this sketch; Jennie, who 
married George Staker, and has three children 
— Mrs. Mabel Anderson, Mrs. Fern Griffin and 
Frances; Kate, who is the wife of Edward 
Turner, and has three children — Ross, Russell 
(deceased) and Fred; Charles, who married 
Emma Householder and has four children — 
Margaret, Dwight, Victor and Nellie; and 
Alice, who is a milliner. 

I. N. Stemen obtained his education in the 
local schools and then entered upon farm work 
on the homestead, where he remained until 
1908, when he came to his present farm. He 
found much improvement necessary to suit the 
place to his ideas of a model farm, and this 
work he has carried on with satisfactory re- 
sults. He raises the usual farm corps of this 
section and each year has a lot of excellent 
stock, a portion of which he sells. Mr. Stemen 
married Miss Mary McCandlish, a daughter of 
William B. McCandlish, and they have had 
three children : Ethel, who married Emmit 
Snyder, and has one son, Carl; Minnie, who is 
deceased ; and Cecil, who resides at home. Mr. 
Stemen and family belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is a Republican in 
politics and an active and earnest citizen and 
has served acceptably as a trustee of Rush 
Creek Township. 

FRANK A. SHAEFFER, who is one of 
Fairfield County's well known men and sub- 
stantial farmers, owns 435 acres of valuable 
land, separated into three farms and has lived 
on his home place, containing 223 acres, since 
the spring of 1877. He was born at Lancaster, 
0., June 28, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and 
Deborah (Welsheimer) Shaeffer. 

Jacob Shaeffer was born at Lancaster when 
it was a small place, a son of Frederick Shaef- 



fer, who had come to this section from Penn- 
sylvania. He engaged in farming after walk- 
ing the entire distance from his native state to 
Ohio, but was a tailor by trade. Perhaps at 
that early day he found but few customers, for 
he seems to have done but little tailoring after 
reaching Lancaster, where he conducted one of 
the first hotels. He became a man of consider- 
able estate and lived until about eighty years of 
age. Jacob Shaeffer was reared in Fairfield 
County and his business was tanning. He died 
in 1868. He married Deborah Welsheimer, 
of German parentage but of Maryland birth. 
Of their children two survive; Susan M., a 
resident of Lancaster, and Frank A., of Hock- 
ing Township. Jacob Shaeffer learned his 
trade in Madison Township and afterward 
conducted a tannery at Amanda, O., before es- 
tablishing himself in business at Lancaster, 
where he passed the rest of his life. 

Frank A. Shaeffer spent his boyhood and 
early youth at Lancaster and learned his 
father's trade and followed it for a number of 
years there and for a short time in Texas. In 
1877 he settled on his present home farm and 
during the many years since has become known 
as a breeder of Scotch-Collie dogs, for farm 
protection, and also a fine breed of bird dogs, 
for hunting purposes. His kennels are interest- 
ing to visit and he has ready sale for all their 
increase. He carries on general farming and 
also raises much excellent stock. 

Mr. Shaeffer married Miss Flora A. Cow- 
den, of Lancaster, O., and they have had nine 
children, seven of whom survive. Clara E. is 
the wife of Harry Thimmes, of Hocking 
Township. Maria W. resides at Lancaster and 
is a valued teacher in the public schools. De- 
borah is also a resident of Lancaster, while 
Laura E., Frank A., Tacy and George C, all 
live in Hocking Township. Ralph and John 
are deceased. In politics Mr. Shaefifer is a 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



617 



Republican and in 1900 was made land ap- 
praiser of Hocking Township, and in 1910 his 
party made him tlieir candidate for county 
commissioner and his vote was far ahead of 
the others on the ticket. For a number of years 
he has been a political factor and is in close as- 
sociation with party leaders in the township. 
He has served twice as president of the board 
of directors of the Amanda Special School Dis- 
trict, exercising in looking after public affairs 
the same care and good judgment that he gives 
to his private concerns. He is president of the 
Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 
with headquarters at Lancaster, and was one 
of the promoters of the same. Mr. Shaeffer 
and family are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

DAVID KING, a representative citizen and 
successful farmer of Rush Creek Township, 
residing in Section 3, where he owns 139 1-2 
acres of fine land, was born on this farm. May 
5, 1848, and is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Sortman) King. 

John King was born in Thorn Township, 
Perry County, O., a son of Christian King. 
After marriage he settled on a farm of 160 
acres in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, and spent the remainder of his life 
here, erecting all the buildings and making 
many improvements. His death occurred at the 
age of seventy-eight years and his burial was in 
the Jerusalem Cemetery. In politics he was a 
Democrat and in his religious faith was a mem- 
ber of the Reformed Church. He married 
Elizabeth Sortman, who was born also in 
Perry County, and she lived to be sixty-eight 
years of age. To them were born the follow- 
ing children : Margaret, who is the widow of 
Elias Purvis, resides on a farm of thirty-seven 
acres, in Rush Creek Township, and has three 
children — Stella, Charles and Clara; Henry, 



who is deceased, is survived by his widow who 
lives in Rush Creek Township, with their four 
children — John, Berl, Clinton and Bessie; 
Matilda, who is the wife of H. W. Young, of 
Rush Creek Township, and they have four chil- 
dren — Irwin, Charles, Walter and Blanche; 
Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight years; 
and David, of Rush Creek Township. 

David King has spent his life in this section 
of Fairfield County and is well and favorably 
known to all other old residents. He remained 
with his father on the homestead and after it 
came into his possession and management, he 
made many improvements, including the erec- 
tion of the present comfortable farm residence 
and the remodeling of the other structures. He 
carries on general agriculture and raises some 
fine high grade cattle. He is interested in the 
Rush Creek Oil and Gas Company. 

Mr. King was married in 1870 to Miss 
Elmira Leckrone, who wa^ born in Fairfield 
County, a daughter of James and Sarah Lec- 
krone, and they have three children: Violetta; 
Clifton, who married Verna Leckrone, and has 
had three children ; and James Austin, who 
married Cora Crooks, and has had three chil- 
dren. Mr. King and family belong to the Re- 
formed church. He is a Democrat and on the 
Democratic ticket was elected a trustee of Rush 
Creek Township, to serve until 1912, when he 
undoubtedly will be reelected, having proved a 
useful and very efficient public official. 

E. V. BARR, president of the Farmers 
and Citizens Bank, at Stoutsville, O., and 
one of the substantial and representative 
men of the place, was born in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, O.. August 21, 
1865, and is a son of David A. and Anna 
Matilda (Martin) Barr. 

David A. Barr was born in Fairfield 
County, a member of a well known family. 



618 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



He married Anna Matilda Martin, who 
was born in Marion Township, Hocking- 
County, O., and tliey had the following- 
children born to them : James Austin ; 
Alma J., who is deceased; Estella, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of John G. 
Ginger, now a resident of Columbus ; E. 
v., whose name begins this article : Ma- 
tilda, who is the wife of U. G. Broyles, of 
Columbus ; Etta Rebecca, who resides in 
Rush Creek Township, and A. C, deputy 
county treasurer, who resides in Lancaster. 
The parents of Mr. Barr are members of 
the United Presbyterian church. In pol- 
itics the father is a Democrat. 

E. V. Barr received a common school 
education and was a pupil of C. C. Miller, 
editor of this work, in the Ireland district. 
Rush Creek Township, this county. After- 
ward he spent one year in Kansas and two 
years in California, returning to Fairfield 
County in October, 1889. Shortly after- 
ward he was appointed deputy under 
Sheriff Amos Levan and served in that ca- 
pacity for two years, this being his only 
political office, although he has been prom- 
inent in Democratic circles in the county 
for years and is a member of the Fairfield 
County Democratic Committee. In 1891 
he came to Stoutsville and rented the grain 
elevator here for one year when, in the 
spring of 1892, he moved to Lancaster, 
where he was in the carriage and imple- 
ment business for one and one-half years. 
He then sold his interests at Lancaster 
and spent the next year traveling for the 
Milwaukee Harvester Company and the 
following three years for the Scioto Buggy 
Company of Columbus. In 1897 he left 
the road and rented the mill and elevator 
again at Stoutsville and for nine years 
operated under lease, at the end of which 



time he bought the property and still con- 
tinues the business. With improved ma- 
chinery Mr. Barr does a very satisfactory 
mill business, his capacity being eighty 
barrels daily, which is double its original 
output. He has proved himself one of the 
most enterprising men of the town, invest- 
ing largely and employing his own capital 
to start a number of successful concerns. 
He was one of the organizers of the Farm- 
ers and Citizens Bank and has been its 
president for the past year. The in- 
stitution is in an exceedingly prosperous 
condition. 

In February, 1891, Mr. Barr was married 
to Miss Maggie Belle Pool, who is a daugh- 
ter of S. A. and M. L. Pool, who now reside 
at Lancaster, O. They have the following 
children : Lola, who is the wife of C . 
E. Myers; Minnie, who is the wife of C. B. 
Wise ; F. J. ;^ Harry V. ; C. S. ; and Ollie, who 
is the wife of Lloyd Black. Mr. and Mrs. 
Barr have a beautiful home here situated 
on one of the leading streets and Mr. Barr 
owns additional property to any mentioned. 
They attend the United Presbyterian 
church. 

A. H. McVEIGH, a well known citizen and 
general farmer of Rush Creek Township, re- 
siding one and one-quarter miles north of 
Bremen, where he owns sixty-three acres of 
fine land, was born in Perry County, O., April 
12, 1848, and is a son of Jesse and Mary 
(Huston) McVeigh. 

Jesse McVeigh was born in Fairfield County, 
but little is known concerning the early history 
of the family. His parents died when he was 
small and he was bound out to neighboring 
farmers until a certain age. He was, however, 
ambitious, and managed to secure a good ed- 
ucation, becoming a well informed man. Dur- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



619 



ing the Civil War lie was frequently called on 
by his neighbors to address them on the ques- 
tions of the day. He was a Democrat in 
politics but never accepted any public office. 
During life he lived in both Perry and Fair- 
field Counties, spending the last thirty years on 
the present farm of his son, in Rush Creek 
Township, where he died aged seventy-three 
years. He married Mary Huston, a daughter 
of Christopher Huston, who moved from 
Pennsylvania and settled in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County. She lived also to the 
age of seventy-three years and both she and 
her husband were buried in Bethel Cemetery. 
They were members of the Presbyterian 
church. They had four children: A. H., 
James, Alfred and Samuel. 

A. H. McVeigh attended school in Rush 
Creek Township and at Pleasantville and after- 
ward a Normal School in Michigan and sub- 
sequently devoted some time to the study of 
law. Farming and stock raising, however, 
have been his main interests and he has resided 
on the homestead ever since his marriage, mak- 
ing many improvements and developing every 
resource of his land. 

Mr. McVeigh married Miss Ella McCand- 
lish, who was born in Rush Creek Township, 
Fairfield County, a daughter of John Mc- 
Candlish, a well known resident here, and they 
have two children, William and Mary. Mr. 
McVeigh is a Democrat but takes no great in- 
terest in politics and has accepted no office ex- 
cept in connection with educational matters, 
having been for some years a member of the 
school board, of which he has been president 
for two years. He and family attend the Pres- 
byterian church. 

S. M. OYLER. deceased, for many years 
was a well known and highly respected resi- 
dent of Fairfield County, O. He was born in 



Rloom township, April 17, 1865, and died in 
Mt. Caramel hospital, Columbus, November 
15, 1907. His father, Lewis Oyler, was a well 
known man in Bloom township, for many 
years and engaged in farming and molasses 
manufacturing. He was one of the overseers 
of Delaware College. After the death of his 
first wife he married a Mrs. Baker and re- 
moved then to Galena, O., where he still lives. 

S. M. Oyler attended school in Bloom 
Tow nship and afterward was engaged in team- 
ing, farming and butchering for some years in 
various places. In 1899 he bought his farm of 
117 acres in Bloom Township, the old Failer 
farm. It is well improved property and the 
residence is one of the best in Bloom township. 
Mr. Oyler carried on general farming up to the 
time of his death. He was well known and 
very highly respected all over the county and 
on numerous occasions had been elected to 
township office, serving as councilman and 
also as school director. He was a man of tem- 
perance and cast his political influence with 
the Prohibition party. 

Mr. Oyler married Miss Carrie Hunter, a 
daughter of George Hunter, who was one of 
the early blacksmiths at Lithopolis. He retired 
at the age of sixty-six years and moved to 
Columbus for a time but is now a resident of 
Canal Winchester, O. He married Cassandra 
Schofstall and they had the following children 
born to them : One who died at the age of five 
years ; and Carrie, Lillie, Clark and Earl. Mr. 
and Mrs. Oyler had four children : Vera, who 
is the wife of Samuel Hynie, of Royalton, O., 
and they have five children ; and Ralph, Esther 
and Kenneth. Mrs. Oyler has proven herself 
a very capable business woman. She retains 
the farm and has it under a satisfactory rental. 
\\Mth her children she belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of which Mr. Oyler was also 
a member. He was identified with both the 



620 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and was 
trustee of the M. E. church. 

SANFORD POOR, who has been a resident 
of Lithopolis, C, for thirty-eight years, has 
many business interests in this section, inchid- 
ing farming, threshing and himbering, having 
operated his saw-mill continuously since 1879. 
He was born in Bloom Township, Fairfield 
County, 0., one-half mile northeast of this 
city, March 16, 1848, and is a son of Daniel 
and Mary (Brakebill) Foor. 

Daniel Foor came to Fairfield County from 
Pennsylvania when he was a young man and 
engaged in farming in Bloom township until 
within five years of his death, when he retired 
and moved to Winchester. He married Mary 
Brakebill and they had ten children born to 
them, 7 of whom are living. 

San ford Foor had the usual school advan- 
tages offered boys in his day and they were 
sufficient to provide a good foundation. He 
entered into the mill business in 1879 and 
handles hard wood for building material. He 
is interested also along other lines and is one 
of the busy men of this place and one of the 
best known. Politically, Mr. Foor is a Demo- 
crat and for seventeen years served in the office 
of constable in Bloom township. 

Mr. Foor married Miss Tabitha Bower and 
they have had seven children, Estella, who lives 
at home ; Hattie, who died when aged eleven 
years ; Loretta, who married William Cassidy 
and has two children — Evelyn and Byron ; Cur- 
tis, a resident of Lithopolis, who married 
Margaret Conaway; James Monroe, who lives 
at Columbus, and married Jennie Dollar ; Em- 
erson, who assumed the duties of a justice of 
the peace on January i, 1910; and Lee, who 
died in infancy. Mr. Foor and family attend 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He is iden- 
tified with the Knights of Pythias. 



CHARLES McGARVEY LARUE, a suc- 
cessful practitioner of the osteopathic system 
of medicine and surgery, at Lancaster, O., was 
born at Elizabethtown, Ky., September 20, 
1880, and is a son of Thomas C. and Harriet 
Ellen (Miller) LaRue. 

Thomas C. LaRue and wife were born also 
in Kentucky and the former resides in his old 
home there, being in his seventy-seventh year. 
His wife died in 1890. Of their family of 
three sons and three daughters, Dr. LaRue 
is the youngest, the others being: Vienna, who 
is the wife of L. W. Miller, residing in Ken- 
tucky; J. Byron, who is president of Owens- 
boro College, at Owensboro, Ky. ; Flora Ellen, 
who is the wife of J. Lacy Overby, of Hen- 
derson, Ky. ; Samuel T., who is a farmer near 
Wickliffe, Ky. ; and Lulu D., who is the wife 
of William M. Edrington, of Arlington, Ky., 
where the latter is engaged in the hardware 
business. 

Charles M. LaRue was educated in the 
schools of his own state, being graduated from 
the Owensboro College in 1905. He then be- 
came a student of osteopathy at Kirksville, 
Mo., and was graduated with the class of 1910 
from the American School of Osteopathy. He 
located first at Indianapolis and from that city 
came to Lancaster in September, 19 10, estab- 
lishing himself in well appointed offices at Nos. 
132-34-36 Kirn Building. Dr. LaRue has met 
with a cordial reception and already has a large 
and growing practice. Much is claimed for 
the system of healing known as osteopathy and 
at a recent meeting of the American Osteo- 
pathic Association, to which Dr. LaRue be- 
longs, held in the city of Chicago, a prominent 
practitioner of this science declared this system 
offers a certain cure for typhoid fever. Dr. 
LaRue belongs also to the Ohio Osteopathic 
Society. 

Dr. LaRue was marripd January 5, 1910, to 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



621 



Miss Ouida May •Shepherdson, who is a daugh- 
ter of W. V. and Ida (Jenkins) Shepherdson, 
of Louisville, Ky. They are members of the 
Disciples church. He is identified fraternally 
with Lancaster Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M. ; 
Lancaster Chapter, No. 11, and also to the At- 
las Club, a secret society of standing. Dr. 
LaRue is well equipped for his profession, pos- 
sessing not only knowledge and experience but 
also the personal qualities which invite confi- 
dence and inspire esteem. 

LEWIS WILSON STEWARD, one of the 
substantial and public spirited citizens of 
Amanda Township, president of the school 
board and the owner of 100 acres of excellent 
land, was born in Clear Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, November 14, 1837, and is a son 
of Charles Steward and a grandson of Robert 
Steward, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. 

Charles Steward was born in Pennsylvania 
and moved to Ohio in 1836, locating first in 
Washington Township, Pickaway County, and 
coming from there to Clear Creek Township, 
Fairfield County and then to Amanda Town- 
ship, where his death occurred, his burial being 
in Dutch Hollow Cemetery. He married 
Sarah Kuntz, who was born in Lehigh Town- 
ship, Berks County, Pa., and of the fifteen 
children born to this union, four died in in- 
fancy, those who survived childhood being: 
Lucy Ann, now deceased, who was the wife of 
Mr. Zuring; Thomas, who is deceased; Han- 
nah, who is the widow of Joseph Christy; 
William Henry and Mrs. Mary Ann Doner, 
both of whom are deceased; Lewis Wilson; 
James Milton, who lives in Nebraska; Mrs. 
Susanna Reigle, who is deceased; Sarah, who 
lives in Amanda Township; Charles, who lives 
at Ashville, O. ; and Samuel, who is a resident 
of Clear Creek Township. 

Lewis Wilson Steward was one year old 



when his parents came to Amanda Township 
and he remained at home until he was twenty- 
one years of age and then hired out to farmers 
by the month. He continued to work as a gen- 
eral farmer for others until he married, when 
he rented land for himself and lived eleven 
years in Pickaway Township, Pickaway 
County. In 1885 he bought his present farm 
from his father's estate and moved onto it 
in 1887. While he has made a number of im- 
pro\ements the main farm buildings had been 
erected by his father and little change in them 
was needed. Mr. Steward carries on farming 
along modern lines, makes use of first class 
machinery and believes that it costs no more 
to raise good stock than poor. 

He was president of the Farmers' Institute 
of Amanda Township for three years and had 
the honor of holding the best exhibition they 
had. In 1886 he exhibited corn at the Chicago 
Corn Show and took the first prize of the 
world, that being the last world's contest, so 
that he is rightly called Corn King of the 
\\'orld. 

On October 16, 1866, Mr. Steward was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Paughman, who was born 
in Madison Township, Fairfield County, and 
died November 7, 1908, aged sixty-six years. 
Seven children were born to them, namely : Lil- 
lie. who is the wife of Patrick Roberts, of 
Pickaway County; Calista, who is the wife of 
Luther Will, living in Amanda Township; 
William W., who is the home farmer; Charles 
Kirby, a resident of Lancaster, who married 
Margaret Ochs ; and Olive, Jennie, and Flor- 
ence, all residing at home. Mr. Steward has 
four grandchildren — Mary, Florence, Nellie 
and Murial, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Rob- 
erts. He is a member of the Lutheran church 
and for many years was one of the church of- 
ficers. In politics he is a Republican and on 
one occasion was his party's candidate for 



622 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



county commissioner and succeeded in reduc- 
ing the Democratic majority very perceptibly. 

ERASMUS DARWIN KRANER, post- 
master at Pickerington, 0., where he has also 
been engaged in the mercantile business since 
1872, is one of the representative citizens of 
Violet Township and one of its substantial bus- 
iness men. He was born in Fairfield County, 
0., January 10, 1844, and is a son of William 
and Elizabeth (Bowers) Kraner. 

William Kraner was born in Baltimore 
County, Md., and came to Fairfield County 
about 1809, accompanied by his parents, who 
were of German extraction. For over a half 
century he lived in this county, for a number 
of years following farm pursuits, his death oc- 
curring Februar}' 28, 1 860, he being then in the 
sixty-seventh year of his age. He was also a 
merchant at one time, also engaged in shoe- 
making and as he was well educated for his 
day, was one of the pioneer school teachers. 
In his early political life he was a Whig and 
later became a Republican and was deeply in- 
terested in the stirring events which his polit- 
ical foresight saw were leading up to civil war. 
He vi\idly recalled the War of 1812. He was 
twice married, first to Abigail Bartlett, and sec- 
ondly to Elizabeth Bowers, who was born in 
Rockingham County, Va. 

E. D. Kraner attended the district schools in 
his youth and also received instruction from 
his father. With the approval of his parents 
he learned the shoemaking trade and subse- 
quently went into the boot and shoe business at 
Pickerington for himself, employing several 
men in his shop. In the fall of i860 he be- 
came a clerk for William Harner, a well 
known merchant, and later was in the employ 
of Wesley McArthur, and in 1872 embarked in 
the mercantile business on his own account, at 
Pickerington, in which he has continued ever 



since. In the fall of the above year he was 
appointed postmaster and in spite of changing 
administrations, has been continued in office 
for over a quarter of a century. This fact is 
illustrative of the high esteem in which Mr. 
Kraner is held by his fellow citizens. For 
three years he was a member of the Ohio Na- 
tional Guard, and belonged also to a local mil- 
itary company when there was prospect of an 
invasion of the peace of the community. 

Mr. Kraner was married to Miss Ella N. 
Holmes, who was born also in Fairfield 
County, O., and they had four children born 
to them, namely: Charles H., who is a well 
known physician at Pickerington; James G., 
who is cashier of the Pickerington Bank; and 
Luella M. and William H. T., both of whom 
reside in Pickerington, and William, now being 
in his first term as a student at the Ohio State 
University. Politically a Republican, Mr. 
Kraner has always given loyal support to his 
party but has never been particularly active in 
politics. He belongs to Lodge No. 340, F. & 
A. M., at Reynoldsburg, and has long been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Pickerington. 

WILLIAM F. SHERBURN, whose fine 
farm of 136 well cultivated acres lies three 
miles west of Bremen, O., is one of the well 
known residents of this section and was born 
in Fairfield County, O., in 1859, a son of Jo- 
seph and Susanna (Patterson) Sherburn. 

Joseph Sherburn was born also in Fairfield 
County, his parents having been very early set- 
tlers. He spent his life in his native county 
and died at Lancaster, when aged sixty-one 
years. He married Susan Patterson and they 
had a family of nine children, as follows : 
Anna C, who married Thomas Jones; William 
F., subject of this sketch; David F., now de- 
ceased, who married Ella Rarp; Isabella A., 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



623 



who married \V. H. Winner; Mary E., who 
married Luther Mull, of Colfax, O. ; Joseph 
M., who died in infancy; Charles H., who mar- 
ried Ella Cofifman; Thos. A., who married 
Rose Littrel; and John, who is now deceased. 
William F. Sherburn has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising all his mature life 
and is numbered with the substantial agricul- 
turists of Rush Creek township. He married 
Emma F. Snoke, a daughter of Samuel Snoke, 
who had the following children : Eliza, Sophia, 
Margaret, Alaria, Levi, Malinda, Rebecca, 
Mary, Clara, Ella, Emma and Albert. To Mr. 
and ]Mrs. Sherburn six children were born, 
namely: Nellie May, who is the wife of Wil- 
liam Hardwick, of Berne township, Fairfield 
County; Clarence W., who married ]\Iaggie 
Boyer and lived in Berne Township; Simon 
A., Albert C. and Frank R., all living at home ; 
and one that died in infancy. Mr. Sherburn 
and family are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal churcli, in which he is a class leader 
and steward and is also a member of the board 
of trustees. Politically he is a Democrat but 
has never accepted any public office except that 
of school director. 

L. S. BENNETT, a leading citizen of Lith- 
opolis, O., and town treasurer, also conducts 
the only drug store in the place. He was born 
in Plainfield, Washington County, Vt., Janu- 
ary lo, 1853, and is a son of Dr. Stephen and 
Alma (Short) Bennett. 

Dr. Stephen Bennett was born in Vermont 
and when he came to Fairfield County, O., lo- 
cated first at Pickerington. He then bought 
the practice of Dr. Davidson, at Lithopolis, and 
continued the practice of medicine here for 
forty years, dying at the age of eighty-two 
years. He married Alma Short, who was also 
born in Vermont and they had five children, 
two of whom died young, one at the age of 



thirteen years, and two survive — L. S. and H. 
E., the latter of whom is a physician engaged 
in practice at Mentone, Ind. 

L. S. Bennett had public school advantages 
and afterward was employed for three and 
one-half years in a saw mill. In 1879 he em- 
barked in the drug business at Lithopolis and 
has since continued in it. He has been an 
active, interested and public spirited citizen 
and for years has held offices of trust and re- 
sponsibility. In addition to those mentioned, 
he is treasurer of the cemetery fund. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican. 

Mr. Bennett married Miss Delia E. Wilson, 
who belongs to one of the old families of 
Franklin County, O. 

B. F. SEIFERT, who carries on general 
farming in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, O., where he owns eighty acres of well 
improved land, situated one mile north of Bre- 
men, was born in this township in 1878, and is 
a son of John and Mary (Shoemaker) Seifert. 

The Seiferts have been residents of Rush 
Creek township for many years and John Seif- 
ert was born three miles west of Bremen, O., 
in whicl: town he now lives retired, being in 
his seventy- fourth year. During the Civil War 
lie served as a soldier, being a member of the 
17th O. Inf. He married Mary Shoemaker 
and eleven children were born to them, namely : 
Charles, West, John, Alice, Delia, Sadie, Bert, 
James, Frank, Russell and Mary, all of whom 
live in Rush Creek Township except the young- 
est, who resides in Marion Township. 

B. F. Seifert attended the local schools in 
boyhood and ever since has devoted himself 
to agricultural pursuits. He has an excellent, 
well-cared-for farm, on which he made all the 
improvements. In 1900 he married Miss Eliz- 
abeth Engle and they have two children : For- 
rest, who is eleven years old, and Neda, who 



624 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



has reached her seventh year, both of whom 
are bright students at school. Mr. and Mrs. 
Seifert are members of the Presbyterian 
church. He is identified with the Repubhcan 
party and keeps thoroughly posted concerning 
the news of the country, while he is ever ready 
to perform a good citizen's duty in advancing 
the welfare of his own neighborhood. 

SIMON P. CRIST, who is one of the sub- 
stantial farmers and leading citizens of Bloom 
Township, resides on his finely cultivated farm 
of 1 60 acres and owns additional land amount- 
ing to 290 acres in all, and is a member of one 
of the oldest families of this section of the 
county. He was born in this township, No- 
vember II, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and 
Margaret (Myers) Crist. 

Samuel Crist was also born in Bloom Town- 
ship, in which he spent his life and died twenty- 
five years ago. His father was Simon Crist, 
who was of German ancestry but was born in 
Pennsylvania. When he came to Ohio to seek 
a home he settled in the woods in Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County and entered a 
quarter section of land which, in large part, 
still belongs to his descendants. His humble 
home was a log cabin built as near as possible 
to a stream of water, and in 181 5 he erected a 
log barn, building it so compactly that it still 
stands and is one of the landmarks in the 
township. Scarcely less so is the brick dwell- 
ing that he put up in 1820, which serves still 
and is in fair condition. The Crists encoun- 
tered the usual pioneer hardships but their 
numbers increased and their undertakings pros- 
pered, and the name has always been held in 
high regard in this section. Samuel Crist was 
a Whig and later a Republican. He was one 
of the early members of the fraternal order of 
Odd Fellows, in Bloom Township, and so im- 
pressed his friends and family with the bene- 



ficial results attending such membership that 
the younger generations have also identified 
themselves with this organization. He was a 
member of the Reform church. 

Samuel Crist married Margaret Myers, who 
was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield 
County, O., and of their family of children the 
following survive: Irvin, who is a resident of 
Henry County, Mo., served in the Civil War 
as a member of the 43rd O. Vol. Inf. ; Simon 
P., who has always lived in Bloom Township; 
Amos, who lives in Bloom Township; Israel 
W'., who lives in Franklin County, O. ; Samuel 
W., who is a resident of Cincinnati; John T., 
who resides at Columbus; Angeline, who is 
the wife of William Kiger, of Greenfield 
Township; Ellen, who is the wife of John 
Lane, of Shelby County, 111. ; Josephine, who is 
the wife of Jacob Benson, of Bloom Town- 
ship ; and Margaret, who lives at Royalton, O., 
the widow of Ivan Kiger, late of Amanda 
Township. When this family speaks of the 
great Civil War and its attendant troubles, it 
recalls one brother, Milton, who enlisted in the 
service of his country, in the 17th O. Vol. Inf., 
and after being captured by the Confederates 
was confined in the prisons at Andersonville 
and Libby, where he suffered such inhuman 
treatment that he died from its effects shortly 
after being exchanged. 

Simon P. Crist has followed agricultural 
pursuits all his life, carrying on general farm- 
ing and stock raising, and has also followed 
threshing as a business for forty-five years, 
being ready for this strenuous labor whenever 
the season comes round. He is a man of public 
spirit and has interested himself in the move- 
ments which have been beneficial to his section, 
and was one of the founders and is yet a di- 
rector of the Farmers and Merchants Bank- 
ing Company, at Carroll, O. 

Mr. Crist married Miss Sarah A. Kiger, who 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



625 



was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield 
County, O., and is a daughter of WilHam 
Kiger, a former resident, and they have three 
cliildren, Ora A., Clarence W. and Charles F., 
all residents of Bloom Township and the two 
older ones former school teachers in the 
county. Mr. Crist and sons are identified with 
the Republican party as law abiding citizens 
but not as seekers for office. With him they 
also belong to the order of Odd Fellows, mem- 
bers of Weaver Lodge No. 486, at Greencas- 
tle, O., of which he is permanent secretary, 
while his son, Clarence W., belongs to the 
Patrons of Husbandry and the Grange at 
Canal Winchester, being recording secretary. 
Mr. Crist's sons are also interested together in 
the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, at Carroll, 
O., all being progressive and practical agricul- 
turists, and Ora A. belongs to Marsea Grange. 

I. N. CARNES, vice president of the First 
National Bank of Baltimore, O.. in which 
town he has lived more or less retired since 
1895, still retains his valuable farm of 163 
acres, which is situated in Liberty Township, 
Fairfield County. He was born July 12, 1845, 
in Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, not 
far from Carroll, O., and is a son of John and 
Eliza J. ( Havens) Carnes. 

John Carnes was born also in Fairfield 
County and settled on what is called the Carnes 
homestead in 1840. where he lived until his 
death in 1885. He married Eliza J. Havens, 
also of Fairfield County, and they had a fam- 
ily of eleven children born to them. 

I. N. Carnes attended the district schools in 
boyhood and assisted his father on the home 
farm until 1873, when he married and then 
moved to a farm three miles north of Carroll, 
in Liberty Township. There he carried on 
farming and stock raising until 1895, when 
he retired to Baltimore. In February, 1864, 



Mr. Carnes became a soldier, enlisting in Co. 
K, 17th O. Vol. Inf., and saw very active 
service before his honorable discharge and 
mustering out at Louisville, Ky., when the 
Civil \\'ar closed. Although he was but eigh- 
teen years old when he shouldered his musket, 
he braved the dangers of war, like a veteran 
soldier, taking part in the battles of Resaca, 
South Mountain, and Kenesaw Mountain, 
Chattahoochee River (near Altanta, Ga.), 
Jonesboro, Waynesboro, Ga., Savannah, Ga., 
Bentonville, N. C, and Raleigh, N. C, and be- 
ing 100 days under the enemy's fire. 

Mr. Carnes married Miss Susie Weist, of 
Fairfield County, and their one child died in 
infancy. In his political views he is a Repub- 
lican and is serving as a member of the town 
council of Baltimore. He is identified with 
Col. Valentine Cupp Post, No. 263, G. A. R., 
at Baltimore. For many years he has been a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

PHILIP M. CRUMLEY, a representative 
citizen of Hocking Township and a member of 
one of the fine old families of Fairfield County, 
O., resides on his excellent farm of more than 
sixty acres, devoting it to general agriculture, 
including the raising of a superior grade of 
stock. Mr. Crumley was born July 8, 1856, in 
Hocking Township, and is a son of John F. 
and Catherine (Miller) Crumley. 

John F. Crumley was born in Bloom Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, while his wife was a 
native of Madison Township. He was young 
when he accompanied his parents to Hocking 
Township, in which section of the county he 
spent his subsequent life. His parents were 
Conrad and Magdalena M. (Feller) Crumley, 
who had come in their early married life to 
Fairfield County from Pennsylvania. John 
F. Crumley attended the district schools in 
Hocking Township and also Capital Univer- 



626 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



sity, at Columbus, O. He followed agricul- 
tural pursuits all his life but also gave a con- 
siderable amount of attention to music, being 
singularly talented in that direction, a heritage 
that has descended to his children. He was an 
intelligent and active man in many directions, 
was a stanch Republican in politics and depend- 
able in every relation of life. He was one of 
the leading members of the Trinity Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church and directed the church 
music for many years. As township trustee 
and also as a member of the school board he 
was careful of the best interests of his fellow 
citizens. Six children were born to John F. 
Crumley and his wife, the three survivors be- 
ing : Philip M. ; Albert L., a minister, residing 
at Topeka, Kas. ; and Mary R. Those de- 
ceased are Henry N., Elmer M. and Alice A. 

P'hilip M. Crumley obtained his education 
in the excellent schools of Hocking Township 
and had the advantage of growing to manhood 
in a good home and an enlightened community. 
He has always been a reader and close observer 
and, like his father, has devoted considerable 
attention to music and is identified with all 
things musical in the township. He is the able 
director of a musical organization known as 
the Crumley Orchestra, which is made up of 
local musical talent, its members residing either 
at Lancaster or in Hocking Township. 

Mr. Crumley married Miss Elenora Brobst, 
who was born in Madison Township, Picka- 
way County, O., a daughter of the late Peter 
Brobst. They have one daughter, Clara M., 
whose marked musical abilities have been de- 
veloped by study. The family belongs to Trin- 
ity Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which he 
has been church treasurer for some years. Mr. 
Crumley is a Republican in politics and for- 
merly served on the township school board and 
tor a time was president of that body. 



G. R. WEISER, a representative business 
man of Lithopolis, O., who, in association with 
G. W. Lisle, conducts the only hardware store 
in the place, was born at Greencastle, O., in 
1853, and is a son of Samuel Weiser, a former 
well known farmer in Bloom township, Fair- 
field County. 

G. R. Weiser obtained his education in the 
country schools, after which he learned teleg- 
raphy but made little use of it, as he soon went 
into the dry goods business. Several years 
afterward he embarked in the hardware line at 
Lithopolis, first in partnership with J. E. Court- 
right, who later sold his interest to a Mr. G. 
\V. Lisle, who, two years later sold to C. P. 
Lehman and the firm of Weiser & Lehman 
continued for twenty-two years. The junior 
partnership was then bought by G. W. Lisle. 
In addition to carrying a complete line of hard- 
ware, the firm deals in farm machinery, han- 
dles wall paper and engages in undertaking. 

Mr. Weiser married Miss Ollive Shultz, a 
daughter of Daniel E. Shultz, a resident of 
Lithopolis, and they have two children: 
Blanche, who is attending college, and Felon- 
ise, who is at home. Politically, Mr. Weiser 
is a Democrat and is serving in the office of 
township clerk. He and family belong to the 
Presbyterian church. For about 15 years Mr. 
Weiser has been identified with the Masonic 
fraternity. 

DAVID CLARK, proprietor of the Hock- 
ing Valley Roller Mills, located at Horntown, 
in Berne Township — an important enterprise 
of this section in a business way — was born in 
Falls Township, Hocking County, O., October 
3, 1856, a son of George and Elizabeth 
(Snider) Clark, and a grandson of George 
Clark. 

George Clark, the grandfather, came to 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



627 



Logan, O., at an early day, from Maryland, 
and his children were born in Hocking County. 
There his son, George Clark, Jr., was born and 
spent his life, following ap-riculturai pursuits. 
He married Elizabeth Snider, who was born at 
Lancaster, Pa., a member of an old German 
family. 

David Clark was reared in Hocking County 
and followed farming there and in Perry 
County before coming to Fairfield County and 
embarking in his present mill business in Berne 
Township, of which he has been sole proprietor 
since 1907, taking charge in September of that 
year. This is a first-class mill property, having 
a full equipment of rollers and is modern in 
all its machinery. Flour, meal and feed are 
all manufactured, the favorite brands of flour 
being the "Peacemaker" and the "Family 
Choice," and the capacity of the mill is fifty 
barrels in every twenty-four hours. The out- 
put is mainly sold at Lancaster, and in sur- 
rounding towns, the business houses there hav- 
ing found it to their advantage to buy of home 
manufacturers. Mr. Clark looks after the 
practical part of his business himself and thus 
ensures the satisfaction of the public. 

Mr. Clark was married in Perry County, O., 
to Miss Mary Patton, and they have five chil- 
dren — ^Myrtle B., Chloe M., Earl W., Florence 
M. and Zelda M. In politics, Mr. Clark is a 
Democrat and while living in Perry County 
was a member of the school board of Mundy 
Creek Township. He belongs to the order of 
Odd Fellows, at Gore, O. 

WILBUR DELLAS NOTHACKER, city 
auditor of Lancaster, Ohio, is also proprietor 
of the City News Agency at this place, and a 
well known business citizen. He was born at 
Shiloh, Richland County, Ohio, August 4, 
1867, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Bur- 
ton) Xothacker. The father of our subject. 



John Xothacker, was born in Wittenburg, Ger- 
many, April 26, 1837, and came to the United 
States in 1854, locating at Shiloh, Ohio. He 
had learned the jeweler's trade in his native 
land and still follows it in Shiloh, Ohio. He 
married Rebecca Burton, who was born in 
\\'ayne County, Ohio, and who died in 1907. 
Their family numbered three sons and two 
daughters, as follows : Albert J., who is a resi- 
dent of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Elizabeth, who is the 
wife of Albert Mosier, of Shiloh, Ohio; 
Charles who died at the age of thirty-eight 
years; Wilbur Delias, the direct subject of this 
sketch ; and Rosa, who is the wife of John Wil- 
son, of Ashland County, Ohio. 

Wilbur Delias Nothacker in his youth at- 
tended school in his native town of Shiloh, 
Ohio. He then learned the printer's trade there 
and afterward worked in various places as a 
journeyman printer. Coming to Lancaster in 
1888, he found employment as foreman in the 
ofiice of the "Republican" and for eighteen 
years was foreman in the office of the "Daily 
Eagle." On December 15, 1909 he purchased 
the City News Agency, which business he still 
conducts successfully. In politics an active 
Democrat, he served from 1902 to 1906 as 
clerk of the City Council, and also from 1908 
to the present year, 19 12. He was elected city 
auditor on the Democratic ticket at the Novem- 
ber election of 191 1. He is a member of Elk's 
Lodge, No. 570, and also of the Royal 
Arcanum. 

Mr. Nothacker was married October 7, 1891 
to I\Iiss Harriet Belle Stiff, who is a daughter 
of Samuel and Laura (Flowers) Stiff, of New 
Lexington, Ohio, and they have one son, Wil- 
bur Flowers, who was born September 24, 
1893. Mr. and Mrs. Nothacker are members 
of the Episcopal Church, in which he served 
thirteen years as treasurer and has also been 
a vestryman for a number of years. 



628 



. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



CHARLES M. WAGNER, cashier of 
the First National Bank of Baltimore, C, 
is one of the representative men of this 
progressive town and is financially inter- 
ested in a number of its leading enterprises. 
He was born on a farm in Liberty Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, C, in February, 
1868, and is a son of Andrew Wagner, who 
was one of the old settlers of Liberty 
Township. 

Charles M. Wagner was educated in the 
district schools and afterward was engaged 
in a mercantile business at Baltimore for 
ten years. For the four following years he 
was with the Columbus Merchandise Com- 
pany, of Columbus, but in 1905 he returned 
to Baltimore and organized the First Na- 
tional Bank here, with a capital stock of 
$25,000. Its officers are : A. Hansberger, 
president; I. N. Carnes, vice president; C. 
M. Wagner, cashier; and J. W. Fenster- 
maker, assistant cashier. The bank is in a 
prosperous condition and occupies the com- 
pany's building. Mr. Wagner's additional 
interests include the presidency of the 
Buckeye Lake Home Telephone Company, 
with office at Baltimore, while he is also 
secretary, treasurer and stockholder in the 
Fairfield Paper Company, which is the 
largest industry at Baltimore. 

Mr. Wagner married Miss Lettie Reeder, 
a daughter of Abraham Reeder, whose 
death occurred in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wagner have one daughter, Ada B., who 
attends school. The family belongs to the 
U. B. church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

CALVIN W. WEISER. a leading citizen of 
Greencastle, C, and a general merchant here 
of more than twenty years standing, has ac- 
ceptably filled numerous public positions in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, being the 



present township treasurer. He was born in 
this township, August 13, 1857, and is a son 
of Samuel and Eve A. (Carres) Weiser. 

The Weisers came to Bloom Township quite 
early and have always been dependable and use- 
ful as citizens. The grandfather, Samuel 
Weiser possibly was born in Germany and 
came to Ohio from Pennsylvania.. He served 
many years as a justice of the peace and also 
was township treasurer. His son, Samuel 
\\'eiser, Jr., spent his life in Bloom Township 
and was a respected and valued man of his 
community. Samuel Weiser, Jr., married Eve 
A. Carres, also of Fairfield County, and the 
following children were born to them : George 
R., of Lithopolis, O. ; Charles F., of Bloom 
Township; Calvin W., of Greencastle; Almeda, 
wife of John Shaffner, of Basil, O. ; Mary M., 
of Greencastle; John E., of Pickaway County; 
Clara E., wife of Henr}' Brenner, of Bloom 
Township; Jesse W., of Greencastle; and 
Thomas H., of Columbus, O. 

Calvin W. \\^eiser was reared in Bloom 
Township and attended first the township 
schools and the Lithopolis High School and 
subsequently a private Normal School at Car- 
roll, O., under Prof. William H. Hartsough, 
now of Columbus. Later he taught school in 
Bloom Township for about eight years and for 
one year in Pickaway County. After several 
years of teaching he became a clerk in the dry 
goods store of a merchant at Canal Winchester, 
but in 1884 embarked in the business for him- 
self, in partnership with Thomas H. Court- 
right, at Greencastle, under the firm name of 
Weiser & Courtright, which association con- 
tinued for twenty years, when he bought Mr. 
Courtright's interest and for the past three 
years has been sole proprietor. For fifteen 
years he was postmaster at Greencastle and for 
the same period of time has been a justice of 
the peace. He is serving in his second term as 




CHARLES M. WAGXEK 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



681 



treasurer of Bloom Township, to which office 
he was elected on the Democratic ticket. He 
has always been affiliated with the Democratic 
party and on several occasions he has been sent 
as a delegate to important Democratic con- 
ventions. 

On September 25, 1886, Mr. Weiser was 
married to Miss Mary Boyer, who was born in 
Bloom Township, a daughter of the late Mar- 
quis L. Boyer, and they have had three chil- 
dren — Harry B., Ardie B. and Mary H., the 
last named being deceased. Mr. Weiser and 
family are members of the Presbyterian church 
at Greencastle, of which he is a trustee. He is 
identified with the Odd Fellows and for a num- 
ber of years was treasurer of Weaver Lodge 
No. 486, at Greencastle. 

OTTO GROVE, who fills a very responsible 
public position as superintendent of the Fair- 
field County Childrens' Home, which is located 
in Berne Township, near and east of Lancas- 
ter, O., on the Zanesville and Maysville turn- 
pike road, Is a man well qualified for this office, 
in which he has served continuously since the 
fall of 1906. He was born in Perry County, 
O., July 12, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and 
Lucretia (Cooper) Grove, both of whom were 
born in Perry County. 

Otto Grove was reared to the age of eigh- 
teen years in Perry County, where he attended 
school, being a student at Thornville. His 
father was a man of considerable prominence 
both in Perry and later in Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, in the former being the can- 
didate for his party at one time for the office 
of county commissioner and being defeated by 
but forty votes. After moving to Walnut 
Township, Fairfield County, he was elected 
township trustee, on the Democratic ticket. 
His death occurred there April i, 1891, his 
widow still surviving, with three children : 



Otto ; Judd, who is a resident of Walnut Town- 
ship; and Talma C, who is the wife of James 
B. Watson, also of Walnut Township. The 
father of the above mentioned children was a 
pillar, so to speak, in die Union Baptist church 
at Thornville. 

From youth up. Otto Grove has been inter- 
ested in agricultural pursuits and owns a farm 
of eighty-eight acres in Walnut Township. 
Prior to being appointed to his present posi- 
tion, he served two terms as a trustee of Wal- 
nut Township. The Childrens' Home is de- 
signed to accommodate from fifty-five to sixty 
dependent children. It was established in 1883 
and was enlarged to its present proportions in 
1885. These children are not only fed, shel- 
tered and clothed during their period in the 
school, but they are taught all the elementary 
branches and, as far as possible, are equipped 
to successfully pursue a career for themselves 
after they leave this shelter. Mr. Grove as 
superintendent, has nine employes in the Home 
and much of its satisfactory showing at the 
end of each year is due to his careful manage- 
ment and good judgment. 

Mr. Grove was married May 4, 1892, to 
Miss Etta B. Watson, a daughter of W. H. 
Watson, of Walnut Township, and they have 
had five children, namely: Elsie, Joy W., 
Miriam, Clay and Harold, the second born be- 
ing deceased. 

WILLIAM C. HOLLIDAY, who is a vet- 
eran of the Civil War and a member of the G. 
A. R. Post at Bremen, O., resides on his farm 
of ninety-seven acres, which lies in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, one and one- 
fourth miles west of Bremen. He was born in 
1840 and is a son of John and Magdalene 
(Ruffler) Holliday. 

The parents of Mr. Holliday were natives of 
Ohio and after marriage settled in Rush 



632 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Creek Township, Fairfield County, where they 
reared their family of nine children — ^Jacob, 
Zebulon R., Mary, Rebecca, Emily, Erminda, 
Joseph S., John P. and William C. Jacob died 
in Nebraska. Zebulon R., who lives at Thurs- 
ton, O., married Laura Peters. Mary, now 
deceased, was the wife of Thomas Strawn. 
Rebecca married Thompson Rowles. Emily 
married Warren Bright and they lived south 
of Baltimore, Fairfield County. Erminda 
died at the age of two years. Joseph S. mar- 
ried Elizabeth Friend and they live north of 
Rushville. John P. married Lavina Stith and 
they live west of Thurston, O. 

William C. Holliday attended the Eden dis- 
trict school in boyhood and afterward worked 
on the home farm. He was twenty-one years 
of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil 
War, in which he was engaged for four long 
and eventful years. John M. McConnell, of 
Lancaster, O., was colonel of his regiment, 
which was a part of the 3rd Div., 14th Army 
Corps, under General Grant. Mr. Holliday 
took part in many of the great battles of the 
war, among them being Chickamauga, Stone 
River, Missionary Ridge, Perryville and 
Corinth. He was fortunate enough to escape 
serious injury and after the war was over re- 
turned to the quiet life of a farmer. He de- 
^■otes his land to general agriculture and gives 
some attention to raising good stock. 

Mr. Holliday married Miss Hannah Jane 
Strawn, a daughter of Thomas Strawn, of 
Perry County, O. They have two children: 
Carrie Jane, who is the wife of Alvin C. Hud- 
dle, of Knox County, O. ; and Arthur Grant, 
who married Hattie Houck and has two chil- 
dren — Carrie Bell and Archie Carl. Mr. Hol- 
liday and family are members of the old-school 
Baptist church. He is a Republican in politics 
and takes a keen interest in all matters per- 
taining to the progress and development of his 



country in whose service he spent four years 
of his life. 

J. F. CAMPBELL, a veteran of the great 
Civil War, who resides on his farm of 100 
acres, situated in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, O., three and one-half miles northwest 
of Basil, this being a part of the old Campbell 
estate which has been in the Campbell name 
since 1814. He was born on this farm in 1842 
and is a son of Harvey and Mary (Cowan) 
Campbell. 

This branch of the old Scotch family of 
Campbell, came to Ohio from Virginia. The 
grandfather, Andrew Campbell, first visited 
Fairfield County on horseback and secured 366 
acres of virgin land, establishing the family 
home here when his son, Harvey Campbell, 
was ten years old. The grandfather died in 
1826, leaving two children, Harvey and Nancy, 
the latter becoming Mrs. Outcalt. 

Harvey Campbell cleared up a large part of 
the land left by his father and he and his sister 
divided the estate. He , followed an agricul- 
tural life and lived to the age of eighty-four 
years. He married Mary Cowan, and they 
had three children: A. Hamilton, a farmer, 
who lives in Licking County; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Catherine Mason, who died at Kansas City, 
Mo. ; and J. F., of Fairfield County. 

J. F. Campbell spent boyhood and youth on 
the home farm, attending the district schools in 
the winter time and assisting his father and 
older brother on the homestead. When the 
Civil War broke out it found him ready to 
offer his services to help suppress rebellion and 
he enlisted in Co. K, 17th O. Vol. Inf. He 
gave over three years of his life to the service, 
and finally received an honorable discharge. 
Although he took part in many battles and 
faced every hardship and danger of the sol- 
dier's life, he fortunately escaped serious in- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



633 



jury and was able to return home practically 
unharmed. After attending school for several 
terms he became a clerk in a general store at 
Basil, after which he embarked in business for 
himself and for twenty-two years dealt in hard- 
ware and agricultural implements. In 1892 
he closed up his mercantile affairs and came 
to the old home farm where he has since been 
interested in farming and stock raising. He 
has shifted his responsibilities to the strong 
shoulders of his youngest son, Fred Campbell, 
who successfully manages the home estate. 
Mr. Campbell owns eighty additional acres 
north of his home place, the same being oper- 
ated by his sons. 

Mr. Campbell w as married to Miss Edith M. 
Smith, a member of one of the old families of 
Fairfield County, an educated and accom- 
plished lady who, at that time, was a success- 
ful teacher. She is a daughter of Jesse and a 
granddaughter of Jesse Smith, the latter of 
whom was one of the early teachers and one of 
the first surveyors in Fairfield County. Her 
father owmed a farm in Walnut Township, 
which he operated until i860, when he moved 
five miles north of Baltimore, O., where he 
continued to reside until the time of his death, 
when aged sixty-eight years. He was mar- 
ried first to Sabrina Whitley and six children 
were born to them, three of whom died in in- 
fancy. The others were : Mrs. Malissa Soliday, 
who is deceased ; Mrs.' Edith M. Campbell, 
wife of our subject; and Mrs. Charity Outcalt, 
who is deceased. The second marriage of Mr, 
Smith was to Mary Payden. Five of their six 
children sur\'ived infancy — Mrs. Adeline Lane, 
now deceased ; and Mrs. A. Bruner, Mrs. Alice 
Messerly, Mrs. Lois Radebaugh and David W. 
This family and connections are prominent and 
substantial people of Fairfield County. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell a family of four 
children were born, namely: O. W., a sheet 



metal worker at Columbus, O., who married 
Jeanette Bethel and has a son, Don C. ; H. H., 
who is one of his father's farmers in Liberty 
Township; C. S., who is a commercial traveler 
with the Avery-Loeb Electrical Company, of 
Columbus; and Fred, who, as noted above, 
manages the home farm. In politics Mr. Camp- 
bell and sons are Republicans. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic lodge and of Outcalt Post, 
G. A. R., of Baltimore, O. Mr. Campbell and 
family belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Basil. 

EDWARD T. BEERY, one of the substan- 
tial farmers and respected citizens of Berne 
Township, who resides on his valuable farm 
of 104 acres, has other property including a 
farm of 136 acres which lies in Pleasant Town- 
ship. He was born in Berne Township, Sep- 
tember 24, 1857, and is a son of Lewis and 
Mary (Swartz) Beery. 

The Beerys came from Rockingham County, 
Va. Daniel eBery, the grandfather of Ed- 
ward T., started from Virginia with his bride, 
in a vehicle known as a two-wheeled gig, and 
they drove slowly across the country, having 
many pleasing adventures and some hardships 
before they reached Berne Township, Fair- 
field County, their destination. They were 
among the earliest settlers in what was then 
a wild region. They reared a large family to 
useful lives and set an example of family af- 
fection, kind neighborliness and business thrift. 
Their son, Lewis Beery, father of Edward T., 
spent almost his entire life in Berne Town- 
ship and successfully carried on farming and 
stock raising during his active years. He 
was one of the liberal supporters of the Mt. 
Tabor United Evangelical Association and held 
numerous oilices in .that body. 

Edward T. Beery was about four years old 
w hen his parents moved to Pleasant Township, 



634 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



where they lived until he was fifteen and then 
returned to Berne Township, the most of his 
schooling having been secured while the family 
resided in Pleasant Township. When he 
reached manhood he married Miss Clara 
Miesse, who was born in Greenfield town- 
ship, and two children were born to them : 
Arthur, who is deceased, and Osceola. For 
his second wife, Mr. Beery married Miss 
Ella Ruble, who was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship and is a daughter of David Ruble. They 
have three children — Anna F., Herbert D. and 
Relva G. Mr. Beery is a member of Mt. Tabor 
United Evangelical Association and is now 
serving as one of the trustees and for several 
years was a steward in the church. In politics 
Mr. Beery is a Republican, as was his father, 
but has never been ambitious to hold office. 

DAVID YOUNG, a general farmer and 
well known resident of Clear Creek Township, 
residing on his valuable farm of io8 acres, 
which is situated in a well drained and fertile 
region, owns an additional farm of thirty- 
seven acres over the line in Amanda Township. 
He was born in the latter township, May i, 
1852, and is a son of David and Elizabeth 
(Stout) Y'oung. 

David Young was born in Berks County, 
Pa, a son of John Young. He spent almost 
his entire life in Fairfield County and died in 
Amanda Township, where he had been en- 
gaged in farming and carried on wagonmak- 
ing. He was a Democrat in his political views 
and both he and wife were raambers of the 
Presbyterian church. He married Elizabeth 
Stout, who was born in Fairfield County, a 
daughter of Isaac Stout, and she died on the 
home farm in Amanda Township. They were 
parents of nine children: Eli, David, Simon, 
Ellen, Rosanna, Joseph, Susan, Anna and Wil- 



son, all of Avhom survive except Ellen and 
Rosanna. 

David Young attended the common schools 
in boyhood and then took up farm duties. 
He has made farming his business and has met 
with a large degree of success as the result of 
his industry. In 1877 he purchased his present 
farm in Clear Creek Township, one that is 
numbered with the best in this section, and 
here has done a large amount of improving. 

Mr. Young was married in 1877 to Miss 
Louisa Phillips, a daughter of Jacob and 
Sophia (Crites) Phillips, and she has the fol- 
lowing brothers and sisters: John; Philinda, 
wife of Henry Kiger; Sarah, wife of Edward 
Kiger; Ellen, wife of Allen Doner; Flora, wife 
of George Murray; and William. Mr. and 
Mrs. Young have eight children, namely: 
George, who married Ada Boyer, and has two 
children — Mildred and Clydus; Ira, who mar- 
ried Stella Kearns, and has three children — 
Edith, Walter and Paul; Theodore, who mar- 
ried Nellie Crowley, and has two children — 
Stanley James and Mary Evelyn; Clarence; 
Ralph, who married Jennie Hunt, and has one 
child — Harrold Lewis ; and Herbert, Alda and 
Boyd. Mr. Young and family attend the Luth- 
eran church. With his sons, Mr. Young takes 
a good citizen's interest in the politics of his 
community, all of them being Democratic in 
their views, but none seekers for office. 

ISRAEL FOSNAUGH, one of Fairfield 
County's useful and respected citizens, a mem- 
ber of the board of directors of the Fairfield 
County, O., Infirmary, was born i.n Clear Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, December 26, 
1854, and is a son of John S. and Lucinda 
(Conrad) Fosnaugh. 

John S. Fosnaugh, who has spent a long life 
of eighty-nine years in Clear Creek Township 



> 









C 

c 




AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



635 



and is one of the venerable residents of Fair- 
field County, is a son of Christian Fosnaugh, a 
native of Germany, who settled here in pioneer 
times. John S. Fosnaugh assisted to develop 
a farm from the wilderness and during his 
active years followed agricultural pursuits. Al- 
though advanced in years he retains his mental 
faculties, continues to be interested in all local 
happenings and never fails to cast his vote 
with the Democratic party. He has served 
Clear Creek Township as a trustee and as a 
school dii-ector. He married Lucinda Conrad, 
who was also born in Fairfield County. They 
are members of the Lutheran church. 

Israel Fosnaugh has been a farmer ever 
since he reached maturity and now owns a well 
cultivated farm of forty-five acres, which is 
located in Hocking Township. After his mar- 
riage in 1877, Mr. Fosnaugh located in Mad- 
ison Township and lived there for about 
twenty-five years and then resided for a season 
at Lancaster, O., and from there moved to his 
present farm, in 1908, where he carries on 
general farming and raises stock for his own 
use. He is one of the influential Democrats 
of this part of Fairfield County and is serving 
in his fourth term as an Infirmary director. 
For nine consecutive years he was a trustee of 
Madison Township, during a part of that pe- 
riod being chairman of the board, and also 
served two years as assessor and two terms as 
road supervisor of that township. He has been 
prominently identified with public affairs and 
is generally recognized as a man of discretion 
and excellent administrative ability, and has 
been chosen as president of the board of In- 
firmary directors from the time of his first as- 
suming the duties of this office. 

On January 6, 1877, Mr. Fosnaugh was 
married to Miss Frances Martin, who was born 
in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, 
and five children were born to them, namely : 



Bertha M., who lives in Hocking Township; 
Maud C, who is the wife of Pearl Dixon, of 
Lancaster, O. ; Bessie F., who is the wife of 
Elmer Boystel, of Lancaster; Ethel M., who is 
the wife of Ralph Crumley, of Hocking Town- 
ship; and Verna M., who resides at home. 
Mr. Fosnaugh and family belong to the Luth- 
eran church. 

THOMAS H. COURTRIGHT, a represen- 
tati\e citizen of Bloom Township, who served 
as township trustee for many years, and is also 
president of the school board, for twenty years 
was engaged in the mercantile business at 
Greencastle, where he still resides. He was 
born in Bloom Township, January 27, 1842, 
and is a son of Jacob G. and Elizabeth 
(Weiser) Courtright. 

Jacob G. Courtright was born in Bloom 
Township in 1808 and died there in 1864. His 
father, John Courtright, was the pioneer of 
this family in Fairfield County, coming from 
Pennsylvania and establishing what has since 
remained the Courtright homestead, one mile 
east of Greencastle, in Bloom Township. The 
Courtrights have all been good people, sturdy 
and honest, members of the Presbyterian 
church and Democrats in politics. Jacob G. 
Courtright married Elizabeth Weiser, who was 
also born in Bloom Township, and of their 
family of children there are two living: 
Thomas H., and George B. Jacob F. died in 
November, 191 1. 

Thomas H. Courtright grew from boyhood 
to manhood on the home farm during the win- 
ter seasons attended the district schools. Al- 
though other interests have claimed a part of 
his attention, he has always been more or less 
interested in farming and stock raising and 
owns a fine farm of 100 acres in Bloom Town- 
ship. About 1885 he went into the mercantile 
business at Greencastle, in partnership with his 



636 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



cousin, C. W. Weiser, and the firm of Weiser 
& Courtright did a large trade in town and 
country for some twenty years, when Mr. 
Courtright withdrew, seUing his interest to Mr. 
Weiser, who still continues the business. Mr. 
Courtright has always been an active and in- 
terested citizen of Bloom Township and dur- 
ing his long period of twenty years as trustee, 
exercised the good judgment which public af- 
fairs in the township demanded. He has ac- 
ceptably served in other offices and has been 
assistant postmaster of Greencastle. 

Mr. Courtright married Miss Minerva Fel- 
lers, a daughter of Joshua Fellers, once a well 
known resident of Bloom Township, and nine 
children have been born to them, six of whom 
survive, namely: Myrta E., who lives at Green- 
castle; Thurman T., who is the present able 
prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County: 
Maud, who is the wife of John Hummell, of 
Bloom Township; Harley B., who is a resident 
of Columbus; Ruth O., who is the wife of Dr. 
E. B. Roller, of Lithopolis, O. ; and Fannie E., 
who is the wife of John C. Phelps, of St. 
Paris, O. For a number of years Mr. Court- 
right has been an elder in the Presbyterian 
church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging 
to the Chapter at Canal Winchester and to the 
Blue Lodge at Lithopolis, O. 

EDWARD B. ROLLER, M. D., physician 
and surgeon at Lithopolis, O., and a citizen of 
civic usefulness, was born at Greencastle, Fair- 
field County, O., in 1878, and is a son of Eli- 
jah and Margaret (Beatty) Roller. 

Elijah P. Roller, who now lives retired at 
the age of seventy-one years, was born in Fair- 
field County, his parents being early settlers 
here. During his active life he followed farm 
pursuits. He married Margaret Beatty, a 
daughter of Bateman Beatty, and they have 
had seven children, six of whom survive. 



Edward B. Roller attended the public schools 
and later the Lithopolis High School. In 1890 
he entered Starling Medical College, at Colum- 
bus, where he was graduated in 1905 and im- 
mediately came to Lithopolis, establishing his 
ofifice on East Main street where he has con- 
tinued. Dr. Roller is an active member of 
various leading medical organizations and be- 
longs to the Fairfield County, the Ohio State 
and the American Medical Associations. 

Dr. Roller married Miss Ruth O. Courtright. 
They are members of the Presbyterian church. 
Politically he is a Democrat and has served on 
the city school board. He is a Mason, belong- 
ing to the Blue Lodge at Lithopolis, to the 
Chapter at Canal Winchester and the 
Council at Lancaster, O. He belongs also to 
the Royal Arcanum at Lancaster and to the 
Woodmen of the World at Canal Winchester 
and is physician for the Modern Brotherhood 
of America. At present he is also examining 
physician for both the M. W. A. and the 
W. O. W. 

JACOB T. DARLING, whose well culti- 
vated farm of 106 acres lies in Hocking Town- 
ship, is a leading citizen of this section and is 
known all over the county. He was born at 
Lancaster, O., June 13, 1867, and is a son of 
Gottleib and Margaret (Wyman) Darling. 

Gottleib Darling was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, a son of Philip Darling, who came to the 
LTnited States and died of yellow fever at New 
Orleans, in 1848. In 1856, Gottleib Darling 
came to America and located at Lancaster, O., 
where he drove a stage coach for a time be- 
tween Lancaster and Wheeling, but later be- 
came a farmer in Hocking Township. He 
married Margaret Wyman and of their family 
of children are three survivors — Jacob T. and 
Edward, both of whom live in Hocking Town- 
ship, and Harry B., who is a resident of St. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



637 



Louis, Mo. The parents were members of the 
Lutheran church and the father was a Dem- 
ocrat in poHtics. 

Jacob T. Darhng was reared at Lancaster 
until fourteen years of age and attended school 
there, after which he worked on farms in 
Hocking Township. He made farming and 
fruit growing his main industry. The fine con- 
dition of his land shows that he gives it intel- 
ligent care, while his two-acre apple orchard, 
containing seventy trees, is productive and 
healthy. He finds a ready market for his 
apples, which are of all varieties. Mr. Dar- 
ling is a leading Democrat of Hocking Town- 
sliip and for eight consecutive years has served 
as a justice of the peace. Formerly he was a 
member of the township school board and on 
numerous occasions has been elected a delegate 
to county and state conventions. 

Mr. Darling was married February 19, 1891, 
to Miss Lizzie Fricker, who was born in Hock- 
ing Township, a daughter of the late John 
Fricker, whose death on May 13, 191 1, re- 
moved one of the venerable residents of the 
county, he being in his ninetieth year. Mr. and 
Mrs. Darling have five children — Harry E., 
Isabel, Clara, Walter and Albert. Mr. Darling 
and family belong to St. Peter's Lutheran 
Church at Lancaster, O. 

WILLIAM H. OYLER, who resides on his 
well cultivated farm of 100 acres, which is 
situated three-fourths of a mile north of Lith- 
opolis, O., was born in Bloom township, Fair- 
field County, in 1863, and is a son of Lewis 
and Angeline (Foor) Oyler. 

Lewis Oyler was born in Maryland and was 
a young man when he came to Ohio, locating 
first in the northern part of the State and later 
moving to what became the Oyler homestead, 
in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, south- 
east of Lithopolis. In addition to fanning. 



during his active years, Lewis Oyler worked 
as a carpenter and was otherwise occupied, al- 
ways being a man of great energy. He is 
now in his seventy-fifth year and resides at 
Galena, Delaware County, O. He married An- 
geline Foor, daughter of George and Esther 
Foor, and they had twelve children. 

William H. Oyler obtained school training 
in Bloom Township. His first employment 
away from home was teaming and afterward 
he engaged in farming. In 1902 he came to 
his present place and immediately started on its 
improvement and the erection of new build- 
ings. He carries on general farming and gar- 
dening. 

Mr. Oyler married Miss Sarah A. Hun- 
secker, a daughter of Abraham and Susan 
Hunsecker. They were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and both are now deceased. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Oyler the following children were born: 
Bessie, who is deceased; Cora, who married 
Leonard Snyder; and Blanche, Grace, Vernon, 
Ethel, Homer, Clarence, Chester and Paul. 
Mr. Oyler casts his vote with the Prohibition 
party. He is regarded as one of the reliable 
and substantial citizens of Bloom township and 
has served in the office of supervisor. He is a 
local preacher in the Nazarene church. 

FREDERICK HORN, who is one of the 
substantial citizens and progressive agricultur- 
ists of Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., 
has resided on his home farm, which contains 
240 acres, since 1897, and is also the owner 
of two other well improved farms in the same 
township. He was born in Berne Township, 
February 15, 1849, and is a son of John G. 
and Barbara E. (Elfline) Horn. 

The parents of Mr. Horn were bom in Ba- 
vzria. Germany, and both came when young to 
Fairfield County, where they married and set- 
tled in Berne Township. John G. Horn was a 



638 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



good manager and careful farmer and accumu- 
lated property. Of his three children but one 
survives. He and wife were members of the 
Lutheran church. 

Frederick Horn has been more or less en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits since early boy- 
hood and is numbered with the most success- 
ful farmers and stock raisers of Berne Town- 
ship. For some years he owned and operated 
the grist mill at Horntown, which is now the 
property of David Clark. Mr. Horn's farm 
land is all well improved and is very valuable. 
After his school days were over and he had 
reached man's estate, he was married to Miss 
Barbara A. Cook, whose father, Jacob Cook, 
was, like his own, a native of Germany and a 
substantial farmer of Berne Township. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Horn, the 
survivors being: John G., Jacob, William, 
Nora and Albert, all of whom live in Berne 
Township. They are members of the Lutheran 
church at Sugar Grove, in which Mr. Horn 
is an elder and a member of the board of 
trustees. In his political attitude he is an In- 
dependent Democrat. The family is held in 
very high regard in Berne Township and par- 
ticular honor was shown Mr. Horn when the 
pleasant little hamlet of Horntown was given 
his name. 

GEORGE SNOKE, one of the well known 
farmer-citizens of Hocking Township, who 
came to his present fine farm of 353 acres, in 
the spring of 1905, was born in Berne Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, April i, 1857, and is a 
son of Adam and Sophia (Bentz) Snoke. 

The parents of Mr. Snoke were of German 
extraction and both were born in Maryland. 
Adam Snoke accompanied his parents to Fair- 
field County when a boy and was reared and 
continued to live in Berne Township until his 
death, which occurred in August, 1888. He 



was a man of excellent parts, worthy in every 
way and was a consistent member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Of his ten children, 
the following survive : Sarah, wife of Richard 
McClane, of Carroll County, Ind. ; Rebecca, 
wife of Andrew J. Beery, of Oklahoma; Wil- 
liam J., of Berne Township; Jemima, wife of 
Frederick Neubauer, of Berne Township; 
George of Hocking Township; Rosa, wife of 
Joshua Hamm, of Macon County, 111. ; Oliver, 
of Lancaster, O. ; and Elizabeth, wife of E. A. 
Pierce, of Columbus, O. 

George Snoke spent his boyhood on the home 
farm and attended the public schools in Berne 
Township. He then taught school for fifteen 
terms and was very acceptable as an instructor. 
His attention was then turned and his interest 
aroused in the great lumber industry, with 
which he remained connected for eighteen 
years, but for some years past he has given his 
attention to farming and stock raising. After 
his marriage he removed to Madison Town- 
ship, where he lived for four years and during 
two of these years was a justice of the peace 
there. In his political opinions he is somewhat 
independent, but nominally is a Democrat. 

On April 23, 1885, Mr. Snoke was married 
to Miss Susannah Shonk, who was born in 
Berne Township and is a daughter of John 
Shonk, who formerly lived in Hocking County 
and later in Berne Township, Fairfield County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Snoke have four children — Lucy 
C, Charles E., Cora E. and John L. 

SAMUEL CAMPBELL, whose valuable 
property consisting of 190 acres of well im- 
proved land lies jointly in Madison and in 
Clear Creek Townships, Fairfield County, O., 
was born in Clear Creek Township, September 
20, 1872, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Fosnaugh) Campbell. The father died in 
1889 and the mother contracted a second mar- 




L. T. MARTIN 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



641 



riage, with Silas Hamilton, and they live at 
Oakland, O. To her first marriage the fol- 
lowing children were born : Jack, William, 
Samuel. Harrison, Jacob and Levi. Both par- 
ents belonged to the U. B. church. 

Samuel Campbell attended the public schools 
in boyhood, after which he worked as a farmer, 
mostly by the month, until he came to his pres- 
ent farm, which he rented for five yfars prior 
to purchasing it from John Landis. While the 
land lies across the township line, the fine resi- 
dence he has built stands in Clear Creek Town- 
ship. He engages in general farming and 
raises stock but seldom has any for sale, aim- 
ing only to provide enough for his own use. 

Mr. Campbell was married first to Miss Belle 
Knecht, a daughter of Daniel Knecht, of 
Stoutsville, O. She is survived by one son, 
Edgar Leon, a bright manly youth who is ap- 
proaching his seventeenth birthday and is a 
very satisfactory student in the High School 
at Amanda. On December 14, 1897, Mr. 
Campbell was married to Miss Hattie Camp- 
bell, a daughter of George and Sarah (Con- 
, rad) Campbell, residents of Madison Town- 
ship. George Campbell is a veteran of the Civil 
War. Mrs. Hattie Campbell is one of the fol- 
lowing family : Emma, who is the wife of Ed- 
ward Bliss ; William ; Charles ; Nancy, who is 
the wife of Mathias Fosnaugh; Lyman; Lilly, 
who is the wife of Matthew Fosnaugh ; Robert ; 
Hattie; Francis; and Maude, who is the wife 
of George Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell at- 
tend the Reformed church. He is a Republi- 
can in his political views. 

JOSEPH JOOS, one of Hocking Town- 
ship's well known citizens and experienced 
farmers and stock raisers, has spent his life in 
Fairfield County, O. He was born in Green- 
field Township, May 31, 1861, his parents be- 
ing Joseph and Theresa (Flamm) Joos. 



In 1855 the parents of Mr. Joos emigrated 
from Baden, Germany, to the United States 
and settled in Fairfield County, O., locating for 
a time in Madison Township and afterward 
moving into Greenfield Township. There the 
older Joseph Joos died in 1876 and his wife in 
i8gg. Of their children the following sur\'ive : 
Charles J., of Hocking Township; Mary M., 
Caroline, Joseph and John S., all also of Hock- 
ing Township; William E., of Lancaster, O. ; 
and Frank T., of Hocking Township. 

Joseph Joos, who bears his father's name, 
was reared and attended school in Greenfield 
Township and later moved to Hocking Town- 
ship, where he has carried on agricultural pur- 
suits and become one of the reliable and use- 
ful citizens. For two terms he served as town- 
ship clerk of Hocking Township, having been 
elected on the Democratic ticket, and he has 
always been numbered with that body of cit- 
izens w ho encourage local enterprises and show 
a large measure of public spirit. Mr. Joos was 
one of the organizers, with Frank A. Shaeffer, 
of Hocking Township, of The Farmers' Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company, for Fairfield 
County, and is one of its board of directors. 

L. T. MARTIN, president of the Farm- 
ers' and Merchants' Bank Company of 
Carroll, O.. and a prominent citizen of this 
place, with the interests of which he is 
largely identified, was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County. O.. July 23, 
1837, and is a son of Gideon and Frances 
(Taylor) Martin. 

Gideon Martin, the father of our subject, 
was born at Newark, N. J., where he was 
reared and married. From his native state 
he came with his family to Ohio, traveling' 
in an old-style wagon and camping at var- 
ious points on the route, and even after 
reaching their destination the family had to 



642 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



live in a tent untl the first log cabn could 
be erected. Greenfield Townshp, or what 
is now called such, was then an uncleared 
wilderness, but the new arrivals were brave 
and hopeful and possessed their full share 
of pioneer resourcefulness, and the little, 
square 1 6-foot cabin served them as a 
happy home for many years. Gibeon Mar- 
tin became a man of importance in the new 
settlement; at one time he owned 800 acres 
of Ian dand he acquired the title of "Judge" 
Martin on acocunt of serving as associate 
judge of Fairfield County. He was for 
many years a justice of the peace and in 
addition to his other activities he taught a 
pioneer school. In early days an old line 
Whig, he later became a stanch Republi- 
can. His death occurred in 1887. He mar- 
ried Frances Taylor, who was born in New 
York, and of their children there are two 
survivors: Mrs. Samantha J. Messmore, of 
Columbus, O. ; and Lebbeus T., of Carroll, 
the direct subject of this article, he other 
children of this family were Mrs. Emily 
Mason, Mrs. Mary Brandon, Evi (a son), 
Catherine, Mrs. Calista, Brandt, Mrs. 
Louisa Graybill and Mrs. Angeline Hooker. 
L. T. Martin was reared in Greenfield 
Township. In boyhood he attended the 
district school but the greater and better 
part of his education has been gained 
through his own efforts and in the practical 
school of life. Since his youth he has been 
closely connected with agriculture and he now 
owns 200 acres of land separated into two 
farms. His operations are carried on along 
scientific lines and have proved very successful. 
Besides cultivating the soil, he is a raiser of 
stock. He has been president of the Farmers' 
and Merchants' Bank Company, of Carroll, 
since 191 1, having previously served two years 
as vice president. He is an acti\e Republican 



and has proved himself a useful citizen, serving 
fifteen years as a member of the Special Dis- 
trict School Board, and for ten years as a 
member of the Town Council. 

Mr. I^Iartin was first married to Miss Har- 
riet Spangler, a daughter of Lewis Spangler, 
of Fairfield County. She died and was sur- 
\ived by four children, namely: Charles H., 
who is a resident of Cincinnati ; Fannie S., 
who is the wife of Frank A. Brown, of Ross 
County, O. ; Edward L., who lives in Mon- 
tana ; and Minnie D., who is now deceased. 
Mr. Martin married secondly Mrs. E. M. 
Bates, widow of Eli Bates, formerly a resident 
of Fairfield County. Mrs. Martin is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
of the Ladies Aid Society, also belonging to 
the Ezra B. Ricketts Relief Corps at Car- 
roll, O. 

FRANK P. BEERY, whose home farm of 
121 acres, together with an additional tract of 
twelve acres, lies in Clear Creek Township, 
Fairfield County, 0., was born May 30, 1870, 
in Hocking County, C, and is a son of Daniel 
and Sarah (Mowery) Beery. 

The Beery family is an old and respected 
one in Hocking County and the Mowery is an 
equally well established one in Pickaway 
County. Daniel Beery was a farmer in Hock- 
ing County and also a blacksmith, and died in 
Fairfield County in 1895. His widow survives 
and resides with her son, Frank P., who was 
the second son in a family of six children, the 
others being: Philip; Ella, wife of Clel Old- 
field; John; Minnie, wife of J. O. Hamilton; 
and Josephine, wife of Harold Stepleton. The 
grandfathers of the above family were Daniel 
Beery and David Mowery. 

Frank P. Beery went to live with his pa- 
ternal grandmother when he was four years 
old and remained with her until he was aged 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



643 



ten years, in the meanwhile attending the pub- 
lic schools. For some years afterward he 
worked by the month for j\I. N. Engle and 
afterward worked on shares on the farm for 
twenty years. He is numbered with the suc- 
cessful agriculturists of Clear Creek Township. 
Mr. Beerj' was married April 22, 1904, to 
Miss Alaggie Kuhn, a daughter of Perry and 
Emma (Geiger) Kuhn. Mrs. Beery was born 
in Hocking County and has one brother, James 
Kuhn. To Mr. and Mrs. Beery a son was 
born, September 19, 1906, whom they named 
Clarence M. They attend the U. B. church. 
Mr. Beery, like his father before him, is a Re- 
publican. 

JAMES B. CLAYPOOL, president of the 
Fairfield County, O., Agricultural Society, and 
a prominent and substantial citizen of Hocking 
Township, resides on his valuable farm of 100 
acres, which he devotes to farming and stock 
raising, making a specialty of Jersey cattle. 
He was born in Greenfield Township. Fair- 
field Coimty, O., October 22, 1850, and is a 
son of Isaac and Xancy (Meason) Claypool. 

Isaac Claypool was born in Greenfield Town- 
ship and died in the same room on his eighty- 
first birthday, June 29, 1902. He was a son 
of Hon. Jacob and Margaret (Baker) Clay- 
pool, the former of whom was born in Rock- 
bridge County, Va., and from there came to 
Fairfield County in 1805, settling in Greenfield 
Township. He was one of the founders of 
the Hocking Valley Bank at Lancaster, since 
merged in the Hocking Valley National Bank, 
and he was instrumental in having the spur of 
the Ohio Canal constructed between Carroll 
and Lancaster, this later becoming the Hock- 
ing Valley Canal. Jacob Claypool also served 
Fairfield County as a member of the state leg- 
islature. The Claypools have been prominent 
in public life and estimable in private, and for 



years ha\e been numbered with the citizens of 
whom Fairfield County has been proud. 

James B. Claypool was reared in Greenfield 
Township and was educated at Dennison Uni- 
\ersity at Granville, O. Prior to 1909, Mr. 
Claypool was a resident of Greenfield Town- 
ship but in that year came to Hocking Town- 
ship and now resides near Lancaster. During 
his residence in Greenfield Township he was 
prominent in public matters. For fifteen years 
he was township trustee and for a long period 
a member of the school board, serving some 
terms as its president. He is a Republican in 
politics but has never consented to be blindly 
led, on occasions voting independently. He is 
serving in his first term as president of the 
Fairfield County Agricultural Society and also 
as a trustee of the Fairfield County Children's 
Home, being vice president of the board. 

Mr. Claypool married Miss Lizzie Peters, a 
daughter of Newton and Lydia Peters, resi- 
dents of Lancaster, O., and they have two 
sons : Carl, who is principal of a High School 
in the Island of Luzon, in the Philippine group, 
being a graduate of the Lancaster High School 
and of the Ohio State University ; and Clark 
W., who is an employe of the L'. S. Post Office 
Department, — both being unusually gifted 
young men. Mr. Claypool and family are 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

GEORGE HANGS, one of the representa- 
tive business men of Oakland, Fairfield 
County, O., is a practical blacksmith and wag- 
onmaker and owns his own shop together with 
other pieces of real estate here. He was born 
in December, 1855, at Chillicothe, O., and is a 
son of Joseph and Catherine (Enderlie) 
Hangs. 

Josei)ii Hangs and his wife were both born 
in Germany, came when young to America and 
were married at Cincinnati, O. They later 



644 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



went to Chillicothe and other points where the 
father found work as a carpenter. They were 
members of the Roman CathoHc church. 
Their children were: Joseph; George; Anna, 
wife of Fred Steinhoof; Stancy, wife of 
Charles Heimley ; John, deceased ; Louisa, wife 
of Felix Mowrath ; Rosa, wife of Lawrence 
Malonis. 

George Hangs had but few educational ad- 
vantages in his youth but obtained some knowl- 
edge of books in the district school. He 
worked for about two years on a farm and 
then learned the blacksmith and wagon-making 
trades and has worked at them ever since. He 
has been a resident of Oakland for thirty-two 
years, has been careful and industrious and has 
acquired valuable property. He has been a 
good citizen and has always dqne his part in 
advancing the general welfare of the town. He 
has been particularly interested in the schools 
and for twenty years has served on the school 
board. 

In 1881 Mr. Hangs was married to Miss 
Rosa Ann Doring, a daughter of John and Re- 
becca (Shupe) Doring. Mrs. Hangs has one 
brother, Daniel Doring. Seven children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hangs, namely: 
Mary, Maggie, Louise, Georgia Ann, Ruth 
and John J. and William J., twins. The three 
older daughters are well educated young ladies 
who are popular teachers in Clear Creek Town- 
ship. Mr. Hangs is one of the leading mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Oakdale. He belongs to Mt. Pleasant Lodge 
No. 48 Knights of Pythias, at Lancaster, O. 

THEODORE G. HUFF, treasurer of 
Hocking Township, Fairfield County, O., and 
a prominent and substantial citizen of this sec- 
tion, resides on his excellent farm of ninety- 
six acres, which he devotes to farming and 
dairying, his dairy stock being Jersey cattle. 



He was born in Marion Township, Hocking 
County, O., October 7, 1859, and is a son of 
John G. and Magdalena B. (Walter) Ruff. 

John G. Ruff was born in Hocking County, 
O., and was a lifelong resident of Marion 
Township, where his death occurred in 1885. 
He married Magdalena B. Walter, who was 
born in Germany and still survives, being a 
resident of Lancaster, O. Their surviving 
children are: Theodore G. and John G., both 
residing in Hocking Township, Ferd of Pleas- 
ant Township; August W., of Pleasant Town- 
ship, and Charles E., residing in Illinois. 

Theodore G. Ruff was reared in Hocking 
County, where he attended a select school near 
Enterprise and afterward became a teacher, 
following educational work for about sixteen 
years, and in this way becoming well and fav- 
orably known in different sections. In 1882 
he moved from Hocking to Fairfield County 
and located in Pleasant Township, and from 
there, in 1902, came to Hocking Township, lo- 
cating near Lancaster, on the Cedar Hill turn- 
pike road. Mr. Ruff has been an intelligent 
politician since early manhood and has been 
quite active in local affairs wherever he has 
lived, frequently serving in office, elected to 
the same on the Democratic ticket. While liv- 
ing in Pleasant Township he served two years 
as assessor, and also served two years as deputy 
treasurer of Fairfield County, under Treasurers 
William Ziegler and Theodore Becker, and at 
present is serving in his second term as treas- 
urer of Hocking Township. 

Mr. Ruff married first. Miss Phebe Byerly, 
of Hocking County, who is survived by two 
daughters, Edna F. and Helen M. He mar- 
ried for his second wife. Miss Catherine 
Reiner, a daughter of the late John P. Reiner, 
of Violet Township, and they have four chil- 
dren : Harold T., Lawrence N., Albert E. and 
Mary C. Both father and grandfather of Mrs. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



645 



Ruff were born in Germany, the latter, Martin 
Reiner, settling in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, more than a century ago. Mr. Ruff 
and family are members of the Lutheran 
church. 

MILTON SHUPE, a leading citizen of 
Clear Creek Township, who is serving in his 
second term as township assessor, resides on 
his excellent farm of 125 acres which he de- 
votes to general agriculture. Mr. Shupe was 
born in the house in which he lives, November 
20, 1875, and is a son of John M. and Sarah 
Ann (Valentine) Shupe. 

John M. Shupe was a son of Henry Shupe, 
who was one of the early settlers in this sec- 
tion, coming from Pennsylvania. John M. 
Shupe was a well known man and highly re- 
spected citizen and one of the liberal supporters 
of the Lutheran church. He died on his farm, 
the present homestead, June 12, 1896, and his 
burial was in the Conrad church cemetery in 
Clear Creek Township. He married Sarah 
Ann Valentine, a daughter of Noah Valentine, 
who was also an early settler in Fairfield 
County. Mrs. Shupe is a beloved member of 
her son Milton's household and in age is ap- 
proaching her eighty-first birthday. Six chil- 
dren were born to John M. Shupe and wife, as 
follows : William ; Jane, who is the wife of 
Nelson Hedges; Mary, who is the wife of 
Charles Pierce; Charles, who died at the age 
of eighteen years; Minnie, who is the wife of 
Charles Bowers ; and Milton. 

Milton Shupe attended the puljlic schools 
during boyhood and afterward spent two years 
at college preparing for the profession of teach- 
ing. Although thoroughly qualified, Mr. 
Shupe has never taught school but has made 
good use of his superior education in carrying 
on his farm activities. In the management of 
his various industries he follows modern meth- 



ods which produce results in every way satis- 
factory. 

On December 31, 1896, Mr. Shupe was mar- 
ried to Miss Myrtle Burgner, a daughter of A. 
A. and Catherine (Crossin) Burgner. Mr. 
Burgner is now in the furniture business at 
Columbus, but formerly was a farmer and still 
owns the old farm in Clear Creek Township 
that adjoins that of Mr. Shupe. Mrs. Shupe 
has one brother and one sister — Joseph and 
Hazel. To Mr. and Mrs. Shupe two daughters 
have been born, Esther and Edith, both of 
whom are being given .both educational and 
social advantages. The family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Amanda, O. 
Mr. Shupe is a member of Center Star Lodge 
No. 489, Knights of Pythias, at Amanda. He 
is affiliated with the Republican party. 

JOHN HARTMAN, who owns a valuable 
farm of 233 acres, situated in Pleasant Town- 
ship. Fairfield County, O., located on his pres- 
ent place of residence in Berne Township, east 
of and near Lancaster, in March, 19 10. He 
belongs to one of the old and siil)stantial county 
families and was born in Pleasant Township, 
March 20, 1861, a son of William F. and Mar- 
garet (Mertz) Hartman, both natives of Han- 
over, Germany. 

William F. Hartman was a young man when 
he accompanied his father to America and to 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, O. His 
parents later moved to Adams County, Ind., but 
William F. Hartman continued to live in Pleas- 
ant Township and there became a large farmer 
and extensive stock raiser. He was a supporter 
of the church and an encourager of all worthy 
enterprises and was highly thought of all 
tlirough this .section. He belonged to the Em- 
manuel Lutheran Church at Lancaster, and 
was a Jacksonian Democrat. 

John Hartman was educated in the district 



646 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



schools of Pleasant Township and also at- 
tended the church school at Lancaster. From 
early manhood he has devoted his time and at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits and is more 
or less of an authority on farming methods and 
the handling of stock for profit. For thirty- 
five years he remained continuously on his 
Pleasant Township farm. Mr. Hartman was 
married first to Miss Louisa Ruf¥, a daughter 
of Gottleib Ruff, formerly of Hocking County. 
His second wife, in maidenhood Miss Mary 
Reiner, was born in Fairfield County, O., and 
is a daughter of John P. Reiner. They are 
members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church 
at Lancaster. 

JUDSON ARMSTRONG, owner and pro- 
prietor of a general store at Stoutsville, O., one 
of the leading citizens and useful men of this 
community, was born in Perry Township, 
Hocking County, O., March 26, 1868, and is 
a son of Milton and Caroline (Mowery) Arm- 
strong. 

This branch of the Armstrong family has 
belonged to Ohio through several generations. 
The pioneers were the grandparents, William 
and Sophia Armstrong, who settled early in 
Hocking County, where Milton Armstrong 
was born and still lives, being now a retired 
resident of Laurelville. He devoted all his ac- 
tive life to agricultural pursuits. He married 
Caroline Mowery, who died in i8go. She was 
a daughter of Peter Mowery, an early settler 
in Pickaway County, O. They had sixteen 
children born to them, three of whom died in 
infancy. The survivors are : Henry A. ; W. E. ; 
Judson; H. N. ; J. F. ; Sylvia Ella, wife of 
Cecil Johnson; Ollie N., wife of William Burk- 
hardt; Minerva N., wife of Vaughn Frazier; 
Derbin W. ; P. D. ; Dora; C. M. ; and Laura, 
wife of Guy Heffner. For his second wife 
Mr. Armstrong married Ella Ebert and they 



had two children, Burton and Louisa. His 
third wife was Liana Markle, no children being 
born to this union. 

L'ntil he was about twenty-one years of age, 
Judson Armstrong attended the public school 
during the winter seasons and helped his father 
on the home farm in the summers. For three 
years after reaching his majority he worked on 
neighboring farms by the month and then em- 
barked in business in Laurelville, conducting 
a hardware store there for 14 years, then com- 
ing to Stoutsville. He carries a large and well 
selected stock of general merchandise and en- 
joys a satisfactory volume of patronage from 
town and surrounding country. Politically he 
is a Democrat and is a hearty party worker but 
not a seeker for office. 

On April 26, 1891, Mr. Armstrong was mar- 
ried to Miss Laura L. Dodson, a daughter of 
Rufus and Mary (Steele) Dodson. Mr. Dod- 
son was a merchant at Laurelville, Hocking 
County. His children were: Rachel, deceased; 
Clara; Jennie, wife of David Pangle; Laura 
L., wife of Mr. Armstrong; Frank; Emma, 
wife of H. N. Armstrong; Efifie, deceased; 
Bertha, wife of Hugh Egan; and ClifYord. 
Four children, three sons and one daughter, 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, 
namely: Guy C, Howard D., Lawrence and 
Elsie Irene, the eldest son being engaged with 
his father in the store. Mr. Armstrong and 
family attend the Presbyterian church. He is 
identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows at 
Adelphia, and the Knights of Pythias at Laur- 
elville. 

ISAAC D. SHAFFER, a member of one of 
the old pioneer families of Fairfield County, 
O., settled on his present excellent farm of 
seventy-seven acres, situated in Pleasant Town- 
ship, in 1884 and has lived here ever since. He 
was born in Madison Township, Fairfield 



i 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



647 



County, July i, 1835, a son of Joab and Nancy 
Ann (Clark) Shaffer, and a grandson of Isaac 
Shaffer. 

Grandfather Isaac Shaffer came to Fairfield 
County from Pennsylvania and settled first in 
Berne Township among the pioneers, remov- 
ing from there to Madison Township, where 
he developed a farm and continued to live on 
it until his death in 1852, surviving his son 
Joab by two years. Joab Shaffer was born in 
1803 and spent his life in Madison Township, 
Fairfield County, where he died in January, 
1850. He was a farmer and also owned and 
operated a grist-mill, continuing both indus- 
tries until within a few years of his death, 
when he gave up work in the mill. He mar- 
ried Nancy Ann Clark, who was born in Hock- 
ing County, O., and of their children the fol- 
lowing is a partial record : Isaac D. ; Mrs. Julia 
A. Wolf, residing in Hocking Township; Mrs. 
Jacob Simon, residing at Lancaster ; Columbus 
C, living in Benton County, Mo.; Lewis W., 
a resident of Oklahoma; and Barbara V., who 
was shot at the age of 17 years. 

Isaac D. Shaffer was reared in Madison 
Township on the old family homestead, at- 
tended the country schools and also select 
schools of Lancaster, under Dr. Williams, and 
later took a course at Wittenberg College, at 
Springfield, O. Mr. Shaffer became a teacher 
himself and spent twelve years in this relation 
in Fairfield County and has always taken a 
lively interest in educational matters for a 
number of years serving on the school board in 
Pleasant Township. Since locating on this 
farm he has devoted himself to general agri- 
culture. 

Mr. Shaffer was married April 10, 1873, to 
Miss Maggie Bohrer, who was born in Fair- 
field County, a daughter of James L. and Diana 
Bohrer. former residents of this county. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer nine children were born : 



Charles C, residing in Greenfield Township; 
Alice C, living in Pleasant Township; Clara, 
wife of Harley O. Friesner, of Pleasant Town- 
ship; Sadie S., wife of Harley T. Miesse, of 
Greenfield Township; Daisy, wife of Pearle 
Wagner, of Lancaster, O. ; Maggie B., wife 
of Jesse Carpenter, of Greenfield Township; 
and Ira, Grover F. and Darle, all residing in 
Pleasant Township. In politics Mr. Shaffer is 
a Democrat. He formerly was identified with 
the Odd Fellows at Pleasantville. 

GEORGE E. TURNER, vice president of 
the Bremen Banking Company, of Bremen, O., 
of which he was a charter member, is interested 
in other large business enterprises of this sec- 
tion. He was born near Lancaster, O., August 
8, 1859, and is a son of Jacob B. and Mary 
(jMiller) Turner. 

George E. Turner attended the Fairfield 
County schools and later took a business course 
in a commercial college at Lebanon, O. When 
he came to Bremen he was first connected with 
the mercantile and milling business, under the 
firm name of J. B. Turner & Sons, but is not 
now aftiliated with that company. He has 
large individual interests, however, being treas- 
urer of the Highland Park Realty Company, 
and president of the Nelson McCoy Pottery 
Company, of Roseville, O., manufacturers of 
staple and stone ware. For four years after 
the organization of the Bremen Banking Com- 
pany, he served as cashier and then resigned 
to become vice president. He was treasurer 
of the Bremen Gas and Oil Company from the 
time it was organized until it was sold. 

Mr. Turner married Miss Kate E. Stemen, 
who was bom near Bremen, in Fairfield 
County, a daughter of Emanuel Stemen, for- 
merly of Rush Creek Township, and three 
children were born to them : James Ross, Fred 
W. and Russell M. The last named lived but 



648 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



eighteen months. The attractive family resi- 
dence is located at Highland Park, an addition 
to Bremen. With his family Mr. Turner be- 
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Pol- 
itically he is a Democrat. 

FRANK W. SMITH, one of the represen- 
tative and enterprising business men of Stouts- 
ville, O., dealing heavily in hay, straw, grain 
and coal, resides in this town, where his resi- 
dence property contains five acres, and owns 
additionally thirty-eight acres of excellent land 
in Clear Creek Township. He was born in 
Delaware County, O., a son of Charles and 
Mary (Wheeler) Smith. 

The parents of Mr. Smith were born in Ger- 
many. After coming to Delaware County, 
Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives, 
the father engaged in the lumber business, also 
was a farmer and for many years dealt in 
horses. He and his wife were members of the 
Lutheran church. Their children w-ere : 
Henry; Sophia, wife of Frederick Schultz; 
Frederick; Mary, wife of John Hess; Jennie, 
wife of John Inlow; Anna, wife of R. C. 
Craig ; George J. ; Edward and Frank W. 

Frank W. Smith obtained a common school 
education, after which he worked for some 
four years on farms by the month. He then 
embarked in the hay business in Delaware, 
Union, Marion and Monroe Counties for three 
years. In 1891 he located at Stouts ville and 
at first handled hay alone but later added straw, 
coal and grain. He has prospered and has very 
comfortable and tasteful surroundings, build- 
ing a substantial barn in 1895 and in 1905 
erecting one of the finest and most modern res- 
idences in the place, equipping it with both gas 
and electricity and with a hot water system of 
heating. 

On March 10, 1896, Mr. Smith was married 
to Miss Anna Stout, a daughter of Simon and 



Louisa Stout, of Stoutsville, O., an old family 
that has given its name to this flourishing 
town. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children 
— Adaline, Edwin, Margaret and Harry. They 
attend the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. 
Smith is a Repulalican and is serving his first 
term as township trustee. He belongs to Lodge 
No. 218 Odd Fellows, at Tarlton, O., and to 
other organizations at Circleville and at Stouts- 
vilk, including the Cocoals order, an organiza- 
tion of coal men, the main office of which is at 
Chicago, 111. He is a wide awake business man 
and an admirable citizen. 

JOHN MERTZ, a well known agriculturist 
of Pleasant Township, residing on his well cul- 
tivated farm of eighty-six acres, was born in 
this township October 9, 1850, and is a son of 
George and Dorothea (Ellm) Mertz, natives 
of Bavaria, Germany. His parents, came to 
America in 1849 and immediately afterward to 
Fairfield County, settling in Pleasant Town- 
ship, where George Mertz died in his eighty- 
seventh year, on August 29, 1909. His wife 
died in April, 1888, in her sixty-seventh year. 
Four of their children are living, namely: John 
George and John, both residing in Pleasant 
Township, Frederick and Catherine also living 
in this township. The parents were members 
of the Lutheran church. 

John Mertz has been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits ever since he became old enough to 
handle farm utensils, and he has the reputation 
of being one of the most thorough and success- 
ful farmers of the township. He was married 
February 17, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth H. 
Schaertzer, who was born September 4, 1855, 
in Pleasant Township, a daughter of Frederick 
and Barbara (Miller) Schaertzer. They came 
from Bavaria, Germany, to America in the 
early fifties and lived in Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County during the remainder of their 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



649 



lives. Mrs. Mertz is one of a family of twelve 
children, the survivors being as follows : Eliza- 
beth H. ; Clara M., wife of Andrew Ellinger, 
of Pleasant Township; Barbara, widow of 
William Gundelfinger, of Pleasant Township; 
Henry J., of Pleasant Township; Minnie, wife 
of Simon Boyer, of Walnut Township; Con- 
rad, living in Nevada ; Julia, widow of George 
Boyer, of Pleasant Township; and Charles, 
Henrietta and Philip, all of Pleasant Town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Mertz had one daughter, 
Edna, who is deceased. They are members of 
the Emanuel Lutheran Church, of which he 
was formerly a deacon. He is a Democrat in 
politics. 

SAMUEL T. GOOD, who is a general mer- 
chant at Studortown, Liberty Township, Fair- 
field County, O., belongs to an old Ohio family 
of Virginia ancestry. Many years ago his 
grandfather settled in the vicinity of Bremen, 
Fairfield County, probably bringing his family 
and household effects with him from Virginia. 
The father of Mr. Good was born in Fairfield 
County and, like his father, was a farmer and 
stock raiser. He was twice married and Sam- 
uel T. Good is one of the eleven children born 
to the first marriage, two others of whom sur- 
vive, Caroline and John. Five children were 
born to the second union, two of whom are 
living, Charles and Myrtle. 

Samuel T. Good was born in 1856 on his 
father's farm in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County and obtained his education in the dis- 
trict schools. After leaving the farm he em- 
barked in the mercantile business at this place 
and has prospered. He carries a well assorted 
stock, a complete line of groceries and general 
merchandise. He married Miss Malissa Mc- 
Daniels and they have had six children, 
namely: Burton L., Charles A., Lizzie F., Min- 
nie M., Elda v., and Ina Marie, who died at 



the age of one year. Mr. Good is one of the 
leading citizens of the village and is active and 
influential in its public affairs. 

JACOB COURTRIGHT. The pleasant 
town of Stoutsville, O., has, among its best 
citizenship, a numl^er of substantial retired 
farmers, who have purciiased homes and take 
an interest in the development of the place, 
while still retaining possession of valuable land 
in Fairfield County. One of these highly re- 
spected residents is Jacob Courtright, a mem- 
ber of one of the early families of this part of 
Ohio. He was born January 23, 1831, in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., and is 
a son of Abraham Van Camp and Catherine 
( Snyder) Courtright. 

The first of the Courtright family to come to 
Fairfield County, was John Courtright, in 
about 1800, from Pennsylvania, and he sur- 
vived until 1862. Abraham Van Camp, his 
son, was born in this county, as was also his 
wife. They were members of the Presbyterian 
church and were worthy and respected people 
throughout life. They had the following chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife 
of Enpch Fritter; Richard; Esther, who was 
the wife of William Julian; Jessie; Ellen, who 
was the wife of Grant Fritter; Rosanna, who 
was the wife of George Cawthon; George; 
Adam; and Mary, who was the wife of Abra- 
liani Ware. 

Jacob Courtright attended the district school 
in boyhood and began to work on the farm at 
an early age. He spent all his active life as a 
farmer, with the exception of three years dur- 
ing which period he was with his brother-in- 
law in a general store, it being the first store 
opened in this town. He was obliged to dis- 
continue the business owing to ill health. He 
still owns his farm of 163 acres which is now 
managed by one of his sons, and for many 



650 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



years he was considered one of the most suc- 
cessful farmers of the township. He is a Dem- 
ocrat in poHtics but has never consented to 
serve in pubHc office. 

Mr. Courtright was married first in 1852, to 
Miss Lydia Stout, who died in 1866. She was 
a daughter of Benjamin Stout, a former prom- 
inent man in Clear Creek Township, Stouts- 
ville being named in his honor. To the first 
marriage four children were born: Simon; 
Alice, who is the wife of George D. Mowery; 
Benjamin and Irwin. His second marriage 
was with Mrs. Rachel (Bowman) Myers, 
widow of Joseph Myers, and seven children 
were born to them, namely : Lillian and Willis 
(twins), Mary Ellen, Alva J., A. Van Camp, 
Jennie, and Addie Myrtle, wife of K. A. Gear- 
hart. Jennie is deceased. Mr. Courtright and 
family are members of the Reformed church. 

THOMAS J. BERRY, who devotes his ex- 
cellent farm of 120 acres, which lies in Pleas- 
ant Township, Fairfield County, O., to gen- 
eral farming and stock raising, was born in 
Pleasant Township, September 5, 1858, and is 
a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Patton) Berry. 

Aaron Berry was born in Virginia and was 
a son of Elijah Berry who brought his family 
to Fairfield County and settled in Walnut 
Township, where he and wife spent the rest 
of their lives. Aaron Berry was twice married 
and of his children the following survive: 
Isaac, of Davis County, la. ; Mary, widow of 
George Shumaker, of Shelby County, 111. ; 
Martin H., of Springfield, O. ; Josiah, resid- 
ing near Roanoke, La. ; Elizabeth, widow of 
Enos Shumaker, residing in Ringgold County, 
la. ; John H., of Omaha, Neb. ; Tunis, living 
in Licking County, O. ; Martha J., of Pleasant 
Township; Emily, wife of Harvey Blue, of 
Hardin County, O. and Thomas J. Five of 
the sons of the first marriage — Isaac, Martin 



H., Josiah, John H. and Henry, were soldiers 
in the Civil War and all survive except Henry. 
The father of the above family was a member 
of the Baptist church. He died on his farm 
in Pleasant Township in 1881. 

Thomas J. Berry has spent his life in Fair- 
field County. Growing up on the home farm 
he attended the local schools and for a time was 
a student in the Fairfield Union Academy. He 
has since devoted his attention almost exclu- 
sively to agricultural pursuits and is numbered 
with the successful men in this line in Pleasant 
Township. On April 19, 1906, he was married 
to Miss Minerva Funderberg, who was born in 
Perry County, O., a daughter of Noah Funder- 
berg. In politics Mr. Berry is a Republican. 

ISAAC W. FINKBONE, an extensive 
farmer, owning 360 acres, is one of the largest 
stock dealers and shippers in Fairfield County, 
O. He has two valuable farms in Liberty 
Township and occupies one of the handsomest 
country homes in all this section, his residence 
being five miles north of Baltimore, O. He 
was born January 30, 1876, and is a son of 
Isaac and Mary (Pitts ford) Finkbone. 

Isaac Finkbone was born in Liberty Town- 
ship and was reared on his father's farm. He 
became an extensive farmer and stock raiser 
and at the time of his death, which occurred 
when he had reached the age of seventy-one 
years, three months and twenty-five days, he 
owned about 800 acres of land in Fairfield and 
Lincoln Counties. His death took place on 
what is known as the Isaac Wilson Farm. He 
married Martha Pitts ford and they had the 
following children: John, Mary E., Fannie, 
Sarah, Martha, William, Albert T., Thurman 
and Isaac W. Sarah married J. B. Moore and 
they live near Pataskala, Licking County, O., 
and Martha married Jacob Youman, of the 
same place. William married Ara Kirk and 




MR. AND MRS. WILBER E. ARMSTRONG 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



653 



they also live in Licking County. Thurman 
married Carrie Weakley and they live five 
miles north of Baltimore. Fannie, John and 
Albert T. are all now deceased. 

In 1906 Isaac \V. Finkbone married Miss 
Zoa Baird and at that time settled on his pres- 
ent home place. He does an extensive business 
in handling stock and is one of the substantial 
men of this section. With his wife he belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes 
the Democratic ticket but has always had too 
many business interests to find time to accept 
any public office. 

WILBER E. ARMSTRONG, whose two 
farms — both lying in Clear Creek Township — 
aggregate 209 acres, is a leading citizen of this 
section, of which he has been a resident for the 
past thirteen years. He was born May i, 
1866, in Perry Township, Hocking County, O., 
and is a son of Milton and Caroline (Mowery) 
Armstrong, and a grandson of William Arm- 
strong and Peter Mowery. 

Milton Armstrong was born in Hocking 
County and has followed farming all his life. 
He is a stanch Democrat and for many years 
he has been an official in the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. His first marriage was to Caro- 
line Mowery, who died in 1890, his second was 
to a widow, Mrs. Ella (Everett) Haynes, and 
his third was to Leanah Markel. To his first 
marriage sixteen children were born and those 
still living are : Henry A., W. E., Judson, Har- 
ley N., John F., Ella, wife of Cecil Johnson, 
Ollie, wife of W. A. Burkhardt. Minerva, wife 
of Von Frazier, Durban W., Dora L., Pearl 
D.. Clifford M., and Laura, wife of Guy Heff- 
ner. To his second marriage two children 
were born — Bert and Lilly. 

Wilber E. Armstrong obtained his educa- 
tion in the public schools. Farming has been 
his chosen life work and he has been very suc- 



cessful in all his undertakings. In 1898 he 
bought his Clear Creek Township land and has 
greatly improved it since coming here. In 
politics he is a Democrat and while a resident 
of Hocking County served acceptably in the 
offices of assessor and road supervisor, and 
since coming to Fairfield County has been a 
member of the school board and of the county 
agricultural association. 

In 1892 Mr. Armstrong was married to Miss 
Cora L. McClelland, a daughter of W. E. Mc- 
Clelland, and they have three children: Emil 
D., Loren Lee and Lena Marie, all of whom 
are making excellent progress at school. Mr. 
Armstrong and family attend the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is a charter member of 
lodge No. 674, Knights of Pythias, at Laurel- 
ville, O. At the time of Mr. .Armstrong's mar- 
riage the family relatives to the first cousins 
numbered 324. 

ELBIN J. HOY, who is manager of the 
Stoutsville branch of the West Side Lumber 
Company of Lancaster, O., is an active and 
efficient business man and an enterprising citi- 
zen of the place in which he makes his home, 
residing here with his mother. He is a native 
of Fairfield County, O., born in Bloom Town- 
ship, May 5, 1862, and is a son of John and 
Mary (Shride) Hoy. The father was born in 
Pennsylvania but came to Ohio before mar- 
riage and followed farming until his death. 
He was a member of the Lutheran church. 

Elbin J. Hoy was the third born in a family 
of five children: Monroe; George; Elbin J.; 
Bertha, wife of B. F. Hessen; and Carrie, wife 
of William Spangler. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler 
have one son, O'Donnell. Mr. Hoy attended 
the common schools only. His first work away 
from home was with the Valley Manufactur- 
ing Company, of Chillicothe, O., with which 
he remained for two years, after which he re- 



654 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



mained on the home farm with his father for 
ten years. After moving to Stouts ville he en- 
gaged in stock buying for one year and then 
accepted his present position. The West Side 
Lumber Company handles all kinds of lum- 
ber suitable for building purposes, I\Ir. Hoy 
managing their large interests here. 

Mr. Hoy has never married. Politically he is 
a Democrat and fraternally he is a member of 
Scipio Lodge No. 255 Knights of Pythias, and 
the Odd Fellows at Tarlton. With his mother 
he attends the Lutheran church at Stouts\ille. 

WILLLAM H. SCHISLER, whose excel- 
lent farm of seventy-seven acres lies one-half 
mile east of Pleasantville, Fairfield County, O., 
devotes it to general agriculture but makes spe- 
cialties of growing fruit and raising fine poul- 
try and Chester White hogs. He was born in 
Liberty Township, Fairfield County, O., May 
28, 1862, and is a son of Emanuel and Sarah 
E. (Fairchild) Schisler. 

Emanuel Schisler was born and reared in 
Liberty Township. He learned the trade of 
stone cutter and was an expert and reliable 
workman. He did the stone work for the 
Hocking Valley branch of the old Ohio Canal. 
He was a man of more than ordinary qualities, 
was a scliool teacher for nine years and served 
several terms as sheriff of Fairfield County, be- 
ing elected first in 1864, on the Democratic 
ticket. He married Sarah E. Fairchild and of 
their children the following survive: Martha, 
who is the wife of John K. Miller, of Hunt- 
ington, Ind. ; Mary J., who is the wife of Al- 
len A. McNaughten, of the same place ; Frank- 
lin P. and James B., both living in Pleasant 
Township; Elmira, who is the wife of Levi 
Hampson, of Pleasant Township; Anna E., 
who is the wife of C. P. Pence, of Pleasant 
Township; and William H., also of Pleasant 
Township. Emanuel Schisler died December 



24, 1896, and in his death Fairfield County lost 
a worthy man. 

William H. Schisler was in his third year 
when his parents moved to Lancaster, O., his 
father assuming then the duties of sheriff of 
the county. He attended the public schools of 
Lancaster and of Pleasant Township, also the 
Pleasantville Union Academy, and later took 
the teachers' course at this institution. He was 
only sixteen years old when he began to teach 
school and he followed educational work more 
or less regularly afterward until he was thirty- 
seven years old, when he turned his attention 
to his present business, in which he has met 
with success. 

Mr. Schisler was married to Miss Anna C. 
Winter, who was born in Pleasant Township, 
a daughter of Ferdinand Winter, who was 
born in Germany but now lives retired in 
Amanda Township, Fairfield County. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Schisler five children were born, 
namely: Ralph W., Ruth C, Raymond H., 
AValter B. and Carl. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and for three years served as a member of 
the Democratic Central Committee for Pleas- 
ant Township, and for four years was superin- 
tendent of the township schools. He is a char- 
ter member of the Knights of Pythias in Pleas- 
antville and belongs to the Old Fellows and 
the Encampment at that place and has been an 
official in all these organizations. His interest 
in the Pleasantville Farmers' Institute con- 
tinues and for two years he was secretary and 
for two years was president of the same, serv- 
ing also on its executive committee. He is one 
of the representative, reliable and useful men 
of this section. 

OWEN W. CONRAD, one of the leading 
business men of Stoutsville, has been active in 
the commercial life of this place since 1896 
and since the spring of 1903 has been pro- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



655 



prietor of a well stocked grocery and dry goods 
store. He was born in Amanda Township, 
Fairfield County, May 23, 1861, and is a son 
of Nicholas and Sarah (Mohn) Conrad. 

Nicholas Conrad was born also in Fairfield 
County, a son of John Conrad of German an- 
cestry. Nicholas Conrad conducted a hotel 
for a number of years and also engaged in 
merchandising here. He was influential in 
the Democratic party and a liberal supporter 
of the Lutheran church. He married Sarah 
Mohn, who was born in Pennsylvania, a 
daughter of John I\Iohn. They had seven 
children, namely: Catherine, deceased, who 
was the wife of Theodore Carl; Sarah, who 
was the wife of Peter Stout; Jessie; Isabel, 
who was the wife of Joseph Warner; Viana, 
the widow of Colse Walters ; Owen W. ; and 
Edward. 

Owen W. Conrad obtained a common school 
education and as soon as he was able to com- 
mand the capital, embarked in merchandising 
at South Bloomfield, where he continued for 
eighteen months. He then rented a farm in 
Fairfield County and operated it for nine years, 
then purchased fifty-two acres and lived on 
his own place for two years. In 1896 he came 
to Stoutsville where he conducted a livery busi- 
ness for thirteen years, disposing of the same 
in 1909 in order to give more of his time and 
attention to his other interests. 

On October 2, 1881, Mr. Conrad was mar- 
ried to Miss Alice T. Barnes, a daughter of 
Benjamin and Laura A. (Yardley) Barnes, of 
South Bloomfield. The father of Mrs. Conrad 
is deceased. She is one of the following fam- 
ily; Mary, who is the widow of Henry Kruse; 
Susannah, who is the wife of Charles Ruth; 
Julia ; Alice E., who is the wife of Mr. Conrad ; 
Bertha; George; Pearl, who is the wife of 
George Dalby; and John. Mr. and Mrs. Con- 
rad have had the following children : Sarah A., 



wife of Charles Stein; Benjamin Nicholas, de- 
ceased; Mary, wife of Howard Hampp; Ethel, 
wife of Cliff Hanley; and John C, Harold, 
Glenn C. and Clarence. Mr. Conrad and fam- 
ily attend the German Lutheran church. He is 
one of the stanch Democrats of Clear Creek 
Township. 

MRS. EMMA DRIVER, a highly esteemed 
resident of Bremen, O., the widow of the late 
Dr. O. P. Driver, for a number of years a lead- 
ing physician and surgeon at this place, was 
born at Bremen, and is a daughter of Jesse and 
Emma (Ruft'ner) Rowles. 

Jesse Rowles was born at Bremen, O., in 
1826, the family being an old settled one of 
this section. He spent his life as a farmer and 
o\\ ned 140 acres of well improved land in Fair- 
field County near Bremen. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics but sought no public offices. 
Both he and wife were members of the Baptist 
church and his burial was in the Baptist cem- 
etery, his death taking place in 1909, when he 
had reached his eighty-second year. He mar- 
ried Emma Ruffner, who was born in 1832 at 
Brushville, O., and died at the age of sixty- 
seven years. Her parents were Jacob and Mar- 
garetta Ruffner. They had the following chil- 
dren : .\lva, who died when aged eight years ; 
Mary, who resides at Bremen and is the wife 
of Eli Huddle; Jennie, deceased, who was the 
wife of the late J. J. Elder; Isaac, who mar- 
ried Julia Houston, and lives in Colorado; 
Belle, who is deceased; Alice, who is the wife 
of A. A. Bradford, of Bremen O., Emma, who 
is the widow of Dr. O. P. Driver ; Rebecca. 
who is deceased ; Jesse, who married Viola 
Rankin, and lives at Columbus, O. ; Lewis, who 
married Lulu Cusac, and lives at Bremen. 

Emma Rowles was reared on her father's 
farm and was well educated in the schools of 
Bremen. She was married September 23, 



656 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1886, to Dr. O. P. Driver, who was born in 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., August 
8, 1852. He attended the schools of his native 
township and later was a student at Pleasant- 
ville Academy and Delaware Academy and 
then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cin- 
cinnati, where he completed his medical course. 
Dr. Driver settled first at Basil, O., and prac- 
ticed there for nineteen years and from there 
came to Bremen in 1899 and continued in prac- 
tice here until the time of his death, April 26, 
1910. His burial was in Grandview Cemetery 
at Bremen. Dr. Driver was a man who stood 
high both personally and professionally. He 
was a thirty-second degree Mason, was a mem- 
ber of the school board of Bremen and be- 
longed to both state and county medical or- 
ganizations. In his political attitude he pre- 
ferred to be independent. He was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
His parents were old settlers in the county — 
James and Lydia (Graham) Driver — and the 
farm of 206 acres in Berne Township, which 
now belongs to Mrs. Dr. Driver, was the old 
Driver homestead. Mrs. Driver has tenants on 
the farm. 

To Dr. and Mrs. Driver four children were 
born, namely : Mabel Florence, who died when 
aged eleven months ; James Russell and Leslie 
Rowles, twins, both now attending school at 
Delaware ; and Harold Graham, who i,s a stu- 
dent in the Lancaster High School. Mrs. 
Driver attends the Presbyterian church. 

ALLEN THOMAS, who has been a resi- 
dent of Stoutsville, O., for about one year, 
making this place his base of operations in 
stock buying, is well known all over both Fair- 
field and Hocking Counties. He was born in 
Hocking County, O., September 20, 1850, and 
is a son of John and Cynthia (Hedges) 
Thomas. 



John Thomas was born in Hocking County 
and his wife in Fairfield County. Both are 
now deceased, his death taking place in Indiana 
and hers in Fairfield County. He was a 
farmer all through his active life and was well 
known and highly respected in Hocking 
County. In politics he was a Republican, and 
both he and his wife were members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. They had the 
following children : Allen and Mary J. 
(twins), the latter of whom died at the age of 
twenty-nine years; Easton; and a babe that 
died in infancy with the mother. John 
Thomas was married secondly to Rebecca 
Grundy and four children were born to that 
union — William, Frank, Zelda and Charles. 

Allen Thomas attended the district schools 
during boyhood and then spent a year in Dela- 
ware L'niversity at Delaware, O. For the 
three following years he taught school in 
Hocking County and from there went to 
Union County, where he was a clerk in a gen- 
eral store for nine years. Mr. Thomas then 
embarked in business for himself and con- 
ducted a general store at Oakland for four 
years, after which he settled down to farming, 
owning 248 acres of land. This land was situ- 
ated in Madison Township and while living 
there Mr. Thomas served for nine years as a 
member of the school board and for two years 
was township assessor, elected on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket. He sold his farm in 1904 and 
then purchased 169 acres in Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, which he has since 
sold. Since then he has given his attention 
mainly to stock buying. 

Mr. Thomas was married in 1875, to Miss 
Ellen Hedges, who was born in Union County, 
O., a daughter of Lewis and Catherine 
(Pickle) Hedges. Her death occurred Feb. 2, 
19 1 2. Mrs. Thomas was one of the following 
children born to her parents: Elizabeth, who 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



657 



is deceased; Myria, who is tlie widow of 
Thomas Moses; Rachel, who is the wife of 
Hosely Finch; Silas; Abraham; Jane, who is 
the wife of Hallet Lindsley; Ellen, who is the 
wife of Mr. Thomas ; and Wesley. The mother 
of the above family died and the father after- 
ward married Mary Durst and they had one 
daughter, Caroline, who was twice married, 
first to Edward Cramer, and secondly to Em- 
roy Osborne. The father of Mrs. Thomas was 
a well known farmer in Union County and a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church for 
many years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two 
children : Earl, who married Rosa Clendenin, 
and has four children — Leon, Fred, Opal and 
Mildred; and Olive, who married John Hut- 
chins, a farmer in Fairfield County, near 
Amanda. They have four children — Jessie, 
Clyde, Carl and Truman. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thomas are members of the Evangelicial 
church at Stoutsville. 

JOHN W. MARTIN, one of Hocking 
Township's representative business men and 
leading citizens, who is vice president of the 
Martin Manufacturing Company, of Lancaster, 
O., was born in Greenfield Township, Hocking 
County, O., July 8, 1870, and is a son of Ben- 
jamin F. and Olivia (Crook) Martin. 

Benjamin F. Martin and wife were both 
born in Hocking County. He served through 
three years of the great Civil War and on three 
different occasions was wounded so seriously in 
battle that he had to be sent to a hospital, where 
he spent eighteen long months, but survived to 
return to his home in Hocking County. From 
there, about 1876, he removed with his family 
to Hocking Township, Fairfield County, and 
resided on his farm there until 1902, when he 
retired to Lancaster, where he died in Septem- 
ber, 1905, his widow still being a resident of 
that city. To Benjamin F. Martin and wife 



eight children were bom, namely: Ellis D., 
John W. and Ulysses S. G., all of Hocking 
Town.ship; Leethe, wife of John W. Smith, of 
Lancaster; Lauren E. and Valerie M., both of 
Lancaster, the latter being a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools ; Charles H., chief bookkeeper in the 
National Bank of Commerce, at Columbus; 
and Chester B., of Lancaster. The father of 
the above family was a valued member of every 
community in which he lived, a man of up- 
rightness in all his dealings and a liberal sup- 
porter of the U. B. church, of which he was a 
member and a trustee. 

John W. Martin was reared and attended 
school in Hocking Township, later became 
a student in the Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasantville, and for three years pursued his 
studies in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, 
O. For ten consecutive years afterward he 
taught school in Hocking and Amanda Town- 
ships and later became a farmer and stock 
raiser. He owns 135 acres of valuable land, 
which he devotes to these industries. Addi- 
tionally he is interested in the Martin Manu- 
facturing Company at Lancaster, a leading out- 
put of this concern being canvas gloves. The 
business is incorporated and the officers are : 
Chester B. Martin, president ; John W. Martin, 
vice president; Lauren E. Martin treasurer and 
general manager, and Charles H. Martin, 
secretary. 

On April 18, 1896, Mr. Martin was married 
to Miss Lizzie Smith, a daughter of the late 
John W. Smith, and they have two children, 
Verdie W. and Forest S. In politics, Mr. 
Martin is a Republican. He is a member of the 
East Union U. B. church, in which he is presi- 
dent of its board of trustees, a class leader and 
church chorister. 

JOHN M. CALVERT, who carries on gen- 
eral farming in Clear Creek Township, where 



658 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



he owns eighty acres of excellent land, was 
born in Hocking County, O., in October, 1865. 
His parents were Jacob and Margaret (Grant) 
Calvert. 

Jacob Calvert was born in Virginia and was 
a son of Richard Calvert. He married in his 
native state and afterward moved to Hocking 
County, O., where lie engaged in farming and 
where both he and his wife died. They were 
highly respected people and were consistent 
members of the Baptist church. Their children 
were Henry, Elias, Eliza, Jacob, George, Car- 
oline, Emma, John M., Charles, Frank and 
Stephen. 

Jolm M. Calvert obtained a district school 
education and then started out for himself, as 
his services were not needed on the home farm. 
For eighteen years he worked on farms by the 
month and then bought his first land. He de- 
veloped business shrewdness as he acquired ex- 
perience, and for some years handled consider- 
able property, purchasing at different times five 
farms which he put in better condition and then 
sold them to advantage. In 1907 he carne to 
Clear Creek Township and bought his present 
farm from Perry Rickets, and established here 
his permanent home. In addition to crop rais- 
ing he raises enough good stock for his own 
use. His surroundings indicate the watchful 
eye of a careful farmer. 

Mr. Calvert was married first to Delia Rife, 
now deceased. She was an adopted daughter 
of Joel and Mary Rife, her parents, George and 
Mary Kinser, having left her an orphan in in- 
fancy. One daughter, Mary, was born to that 
marriage, but she is deceased. Mr. Calvert's 
second marriage was to Miss Rose Newlon, a 
daughter of David and Sophia Newlon. They 
were natives of Morgan County but spent their 
last years in Hocking County. The brothers 
and sisters of Mrs. Calvert were: Henry; 
James B. ; Emma, wife of John Anderson; 



Eliza, wife of Elijah Brown; Olive, wife of 
Hiram Botts; Hannah, wife of Frank Valen- 
tine ; and Sarah. Four children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Calvert, Harold, Effie, Castle 
and Jessie, the eldest born being now deceased. 
Mr. Calvert and family belong to the U. B. 
church. He is a Democrat in politics and 
served one term as township road superintend- 
ent and at present is a school director. He is 
identified with the Foresters and attends lodge 
at Circleville, O. 

W. B. STUART, who has lived to see a 
flourishing town grow up on what he remem- 
bers as his father's old farm in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, O., now lives re- 
tired on his place of eighty-six acres, bordering 
the corporation line of Bremen, O. He was 
born in Rush Creek Township. November 25, 
1836, and is a son of Charles and Christina 
(Beery) Stuart. 

Charles Stuart was born in Pennsylvania 
and was twelve years old when he came to Fair- 
field County, where his subsequent life was 
passed. He became a man of large property 
and was engaged in farming for many years 
but prior to his death, at the age of eighty 
years, had retired to Bremen, which town 
stands on a portion of his old wheat fields. He 
married Christina Beery, a member of one of 
the old settled families of this section, and nine 
children were born to them. 

\V. B. Stuart obtained his education in the 
township schools and then gave his attention to 
work on the home farm where he remained un- 
til 1 87 1, when he came to his present place. 
Here he made numerous improvements and has 
a valuable property. In addition to productive 
farming lands he has eleven oil wells. In 1863 
he visited Kansas and after he returned to 
Ohio, in 1864, enlisted for service in the Civil 
War, entering Co. E. 159th O. Vol. Inf., and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



659 



served loo days, fortunately escaping the sad 
results of war which overtook some of his 
comrades. 

Mr. Stuart married Miss Elizabeth Poling 
and they had the following children : Charles 
B., who has been twice married, the children of 
his first union being Mrs. Leefe Stallsmith, 
Mrs. Delia Oliver, Margaret, Ward and Ger- 
aldine ; Frank, who married Alice Disbennett, 
of Johnstown, O. ; Judson, who is deceased ; 
and Emma, who resides at home. Mr. Stuart 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
is a Republican in his political sentiments and 
has served in the office of township trustee. 

SAMUEL SHUPE, whose excellent farm 
of fifty-two acres lies in Clear Creek Township, 
is one of the well known and highly respected 
residents of this section. He was born in Clear 
Creek Township, this county, July 9, 1854, and 
is a son of Daniel and Lydia (Deisinger) 
Shupe. 

The Shupe family settled early with the 
Deisingers in Fairfield County and both fam- 
ilies have numerous representatives. Daniel 
Shupe was born in Clear Creek Township, 
where he followed farming all his life. He was 
a stanch Republican but never accepted any 
political office. With his wife he belonged to 
the Lutheran church. They had the following 
children: Hannah, deceased, who was the wife 
of David Stout ; Rachel, deceased, who was the 
wife of Noah Frease; Rebecca, who is the wife 
of John Doring; Mary, who is the wife of John 
Stout; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Jacob 
Wolfe ; and John, Jacob and Samuel. 

Samuel Shupe was the youngest born in the 
above family. He remained for a while on the 
home farm with his fatlier and afterward en- 
gaged in agricultural operations for himself. 
In addition to crop raising he gives some atten- 
tion to stock and always has enough for his 



own use. He was married in January, 1881, to 
Miss Elizabeth Kiefaber, a daughter of Ber- 
nard and Eliza Jane (Brown) Kiefaber. The 
father of Mrs. Shupe was born in Germany and 
for a number of years was a merchant at Oak- 
land, O. He married Eliza Jane Brown, a na- 
tive of New York, and both are now deceased. 
They had sons and daughters, Mrs. Shupe be- 
ing the eldest of the family and others being as 
follows : Mary Hester ; Addie, widow of Mar- 
tin Dozer; A. B. ; Sarah, wife of Milton Lutz; 
Ella, wife of George Lutz ; and Jemima. A. B. 
Kiefaber is an attorney at law in practice at 
Lancaster, O. Mr. and Mrs. Shupe have one 
daughter, Ethel. The family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal church. In his political 
views Mr. Shupe is in accord with the Repub- 
lican part}'. 

BANNER E. FRIEND, one of the pro- 
gressive farmers of Pleasant Township, resid- 
ing on his 133 acres of well cultivated land, be- 
longs to one of the old families of this country. 
He was born in Pleasant Township, June 30, 
1867, and is a son of William and Sarah 
(Peters) Friend. 

\\'illiam Friend was born in Lawrence 
County, Pa., and was a son of Joseph Friend, 
who was born in Bedford County. Pa., and 
moved to Lawrence County. There he married 
and later moved to what is now the site of 
Mansfield, O., and from there came to Fairfield 
County. The Friends are of English extrac- 
tion and the earliest members of the family to 
settle in .\nierica came from Dorsetshire in 
1670, locating in the neighborhood of Phila- 
delphia. William Friend was fourteen years 
of age when his parents came to Fairfield 
County. His grandmother was a Rose, a sister 
to the man for whom Roseville, O., was named. 
She was of Scotch extraction and her ancestry 
can be traced back to the tenth century. Wil- 



660 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



liam Friend married Sarah Peters and their 
long lives were passed in Pleasant Township, 
where he died at the age of eighty-seven years, 
in 1899, while she survived until 1900. Of 
their children there are six survivors, as fol- 
lows : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Joseph 
Holliday, of Richland Township; Virginia, 
who is the wife of William Eyman, of Rich- 
land Township; Orrin, who lives in Pleasant 
Township; Adella, who is the wife of William 
Mast, of Walnut Township; Martha E., who 
is the wife of B. F. Elder, of Pleasant Town- 
ship; and Banner E. William Friend was a 
liberal supporter of the Baptist church, of 
Pleasant Run. He was a broad-minded man 
and was one of the founders of the Fairfield 
Union Academy at Pleasantville. He was also 
one of the early breeders of Merino sheep and 
shorthorn cattle. 

Mr. Friend's grandfather and mother and his 
great grandmother, were charter members of 
the first Methodist church near Pleasantville, 
before there was any town. 

Banner E. Friend attended the common 
schools of Pleasant Township and later Fair- 
field Union Academy and since then has been 
engaged in agricultural operations. He is a 
valued member of Pleasant Grange, No. 161 5, 
Patrons of Husbandry, at Pleasantville. 

Mr. Friend was married to Miss Melnotte 
Kagay, who was born in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, a daughter of the late Franklin Kagay, 
and they have five children — Karl F., Roger 
W., Mildred, Franklin J. and Wendell K. In 
politics Mr. Friend is a Republican but is not a 
blind follower of his party's policies, reserving 
the right to vote independently when his judg- 
ment counsels him to do so. He is identified 
with Pleasant Valley Lodge No. 531, F. & A. 
M. at Pleasantville. 

GEORGE W. FRASURE, a representative 
citizen of Clear Creek Township, for five years 



ser\ing as township trustee, owns valuable real 
estate at Oakland, O., and fifty-nine acres of 
well improved farm land. He was born 
August 2, 1853, in Pickaway County, O., a son 
of Jacob and Martha J. (Winstead) Erasure. 

Jacob Erasure and wife were born in Pick- 
away County and spent their lives there and 
were well known. They were members of the 
Lutheran church. The former voted with the 
Democratic party but never served in any 
political office. They had the following chil- 
dren : Mary Ann, now deceased, who was the 
wife of Amos Valentine; Louisa, who is de- 
ceased, was the wife of Daniel Spangler; and 
William, George W., Jacob P. and Noah. 

George W. Erasure learned the carpenter's 
trade after his school days were over and fol- 
lowed it for about four years. He then bought 
a farm in District No. 9, Clear Creek Town- 
ship, on which hel ived for two years. Selling 
that farm, he bought his present one, on which 
he has done a large amount of repairing and 
improving, among other substantial buildings 
erecting a comfortable residence. He carries 
on general farming, deals to some extent in 
stock and is recognized as a good business man. 
He has not identified himself with any par- 
ticular political party, prefering to remain in- 
dependent, nevertheless his fellow citizens have 
more than once chosen him for township of- 
fices — trustee, as mentioned above, supervisor, 
and member of the school board. 

On May 27, 1877, Mr. Erasure was married 
to Miss Calista Fosnaugh, a daughter of Eli 
and Sally (Baumgartner) Fosnaugh. Mr. 
Fosnaugh was well known as a blacksmith in 
Clear Creek Township for many years. Mrs. 
Erasure had brothers and sisters as follows : 
Henry; Lucinda, wife of Joseph Spangler; 
Elzina, deceased, formerly the wife of Henry 
Garrett ; and Pathena. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Erasure the following children have been born : 
Nelson, who married Minnie Valentine and has 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



661 



one son, Carl; Maggie May, who is the wife of 
Kirby Nefif, and has one daughter, Marie; 
Minnie Bell, who is the w ife of Earl Dorn, and 
has two children — Esther and Dorothy Alay; 
Bertha, who is the wife of Chester De Long; 
and Clarence and Leona, both residing at home. 
Mr. Erasure and family are members of the 
U. B. church. 

JOHN BATTELLE SWAN, V. S., who is 
known professionally in several states, has been 
a resident of Walnut Township, Fairfield 
County, O., since August, 1903, and owns a 
valuable farm of 100 acres. He was born near 
Wheeling, in Marshall County, now West 
Virginia, November 3, 1850, and is a son of 
Hon. Remembrance and Mary (Long) Swan. 

The Swan family has long been known along 
the south branch of the Potomac River. The 
mother of Remembrance Swan was a Van 
Meter. He became an extensive farmer and 
stockman and bred horses largely. He had two 
sisters and three ' brothers, all now deceased. 
One sister, Martha, married George Rice and 
they lived in Licking County. Another, Phebe, 
married a Garrison and they lived in Pennsyl- 
vania. A brother, Henry, went overland to 
California in 1849 and died in Iowa. Remem- 
brance Sw-an purchased a well known property, 
the Colonel Plesher farm, near Parkersburg, 
W. Va., and there his death occurred in 1878, 
when he was aged sixty-eight years. He was 
prominent in politics and was a member of the 
state Legislature in 1863 when West Virginia 
became a separate commonwealth. He married 
Mary Long, who was born in Pennsylvania and 
died in West Virginia, in 1899. aged seventy- 
four years. They had two children: John 
Battelle and Loretta, the latter of whom is the 
wife of J. C. Roberts and lives in South 
Dakota. 

John Battelle Swan obtained his early educa- 



tion in the district schools. From boyhood he 
was accustomed to the raising of the young 
stock on his father's farm and \ery early 
learned their various ailments and took an in- 
terest in curing them. Indeed, from the age of 
sixteen years he has practiced to some degree 
his present profession, later taking a regular 
course in veterinary science, spending three 
years with many different veterinarians in West 
Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky and learning 
surgery with many well known practitioners in 
West Virginia and Ohio. He began to prac- 
tice at Pleasant View, W. Va., and for many 
years was kept busy up and down the Ohio 
Ri\er. Later he became interested also in 
dealing in stock and devotes a part of his farm 
to stock purposes. This farm he purchased 
from Mrs. Lemuel Dyer and it is well im- 
proved. The commodious brick residence was 
built at a cost of $14,500, by Byron Pugh. The 
farm is well watered, the Ohio Canal passing 
through one part of it. 

Dr. Swan was married June 29, 1887, to 
]\Iiss Jennie M. McKay, a daughter of the ven- 
erable John McKay, who resides at Great 
Bend, O., and is now in his ninety-second year. 
Politically Dr. Swan is a Republican. In 1866 
he became a Mason, at Ravenswood, W. Va., 
and belongs to Blue Lodge No. 537, at Millers- 
port, O. 

JOHN OBERDORFER. who conducts a 
weaving business in Clear Creek Township, 
where he owns two farms, aggregating forty 
acres, is well kncAvn in this section, having 
lived here since 1889. He was born April 27, 
1854, at Chillicothe, O., and is a son of John 
and Barbara (Meyers) Oberdorfer, natives of 
Germany. The parents of Mr. Oberdorfer re- 
mained in their native land until after the birth 
of several children and then came to America. 
By trade the father was a weaver. They were 



662 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



members of the Lutheran church. Of their 
eight children, John was the second born, the 
others being : Gottleib ; WilHam ; Catherine, 
wife of Wilson Conrad; Christiana, wife of E. 
O. Kearns ; Elizabeth, wife of Edward Charles ; 
and Jacob and Caroline. 

John Oberdorfer obtained his education in 
the district schools and under his father's in- 
struction learned the weaving trade. After the 
father established a woolen mill two miles east 
of Amanda, in Fairfield County, he worked in 
the mill during the summer seasons and at 
weaving in the old home in the winter time un- 
til 1889, when he bought his land in Clear 
Creek Township and since then has followed 
both farming and weaving. On November 18, 
1880, he was married to Miss Sarah L. Matz, 
a daughter of Curtis and Priscilla (Valentine) 
Matz, who then were residents of Oakland, O. 
Mr. Matz is deceased biit Mrs. Matz lives at 
Stoutsville. They had the following children : 
Samuel ; Noah ; Wilson ; Mary, widow of 
Joseph Shupe ; Daniel ; Sarah L. ; Jennie ; Eme- 
line, widow of Charles Smith ; Harriet, wife of 
Joseph Keeny; Ida, wife of Nicholas Stout; 
and Cora, wife of Stephen Smeltzer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Oberdorfer have had three children, two 
sons and one daughter : Arvid Edward, who 
died at the age of twenty-five years; Ernest 
Arthur, who died young ; and Efifie Marie, who 
remains with her parents. Another member of 
the family is Mr. Oberdorfer's nephew, Eldin 
Nicholas Stout. Mr. Oberdorfer and family 
attend the Lutheran church. Politically he is 
a Democrat and is serving as a member of the 
township school board. 

■ PROF. ALLEN D. GROVES, superintend- 
ent of the public schools of Pleasant Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., and also a member 
of the Board of County School Examiners for 



Fairfield County, is a well known educator, 
whose years of professional experience have 
well cjualified him for the public positions to 
which he has been called. He was born in 
\\'alnut Township, Fairfield County, February 
17, 1S60, and is a son of Andrew and Cathe- 
rine (Gaines) Groves. 

Andrew Groves was born in Perry County, 
O., his father being of German extraction but 
of Pennsylvanian birth. He lost both his 
parents when quite young and was reared 
among strangers. When he reached manhood 
he left Perry County and came to Fairfield 
County. For a few years after his marriage 
he li\ed in Walnut Township and then moved 
into Pleasant Township. The closing years of 
his life were passed on the farm of twenty- 
four acres, which is owned in Pleasant Town- 
ship by Prof. Groves. His death occurred in 
1883. He was a Democrat in politics and a 
faithful member of the United Brethren 
church. He was twice married. His first wife 
was Mary Alspaugh and to this union were 
born thirteen children. His second marri^ige 
was to Catherine Gaines, who was born in 
Rockingham County, Va., and who was of 
English-Welsh ancestry. To this union were 
born three children, namely. Allen D., Eliza- 
beth and Charles W. 

Allen D. Groves was nine years old when he 
removed with the family from Walnut to 
Pelasant township. He attended the schools 
of Baltimore, O., and the Pleasant Township 
schools and later completed the scientific 
course at the Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasantville, in 1882. He has taught school 
almost continuously ever since. He was for- 
merly superintendent for two years of the 
publis schools of Carroll, O., and has always 
kept abreast of the times in educational work 
and methods, his aim ever having been to raise 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



663 



the standard of efficiency. His service in the 
educational field has covered a period of 
thirty-five years in all. 

Prof. Groves married Miss Mary J. Crouse, 
a daughter of Levi and Harriet Crouse, her 
birth taking place in 1863. Her father, Levi 
Crouse, uas born in Maryland in 1818, and 
was of German extraction. He came to Wal- 
nut Township with his parents at the age of 
five years and they settled on the farm where 
he spent the remainder of his life and died in 
1889. He was married twice. His first wife 
was Catherine Bibler and to this union were 
born four children. The second marriage was 
to Harriet Norris, who was born near Balti- 
more, O., in 1824. To this union were born 
nine children — one son and eight daughters. 
She died in 1903. 

Five children have been born to Allen D. 
and Mary J. Groves, namely: Blanche C, who 
is the wife of Rev. L. R. Herbst, of Glen 
Rock, Pa., a minister of the United Evangel- 
ical Church at Columbus, O. ; Nettie A., who 
is a popular teacher in Fairfield County; Ray 
S., who lives at home; Russell L., who is also 
a teacher; and Doyt E., who resides at home. 
In politics Prof. Groves is a Democrat. He 
has served two terms as assessor of Pleasant 
Township, several terms as judge of elections, 
and at present is clerk of the election board. 
He and his wife are members of the United 
Brethren Church, while the children belong to 
the L'nited Evangelical Church. 

SAMUEL ALDENDERFER, residing on 
his excellent farm of seventy acres, which is 
situated in Clear Creek Township, devotes his 
land to farming and stock raising and is one 
of the substantial and representative men of 
this section. He was born August 8, 1854, in 
Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, O., 



and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Reichel- 
derfer) Aldenderfer. 

Jacob Aldenderfer was born in Pickaway 
County, a son of Henry and Catherine Alden- 
derfer, old settlers there, of German extrac- 
tion. Jacob Aldenderfer was a blacksmith by 
trade and later became a farmer in Clear 
Creek Township, Fairfield County, where both 
he and his wife died, their burial being in 
Dutch Hollow. He served one year in the 
Federal Army during the Civil War. He 
married a daughter of Henry Reichelderfer, 
of Pickaway County, and their children were 
Henry, Amos, George, Ely, Salina, Salem and 
Samuel. Salina is the wife of Michael Nigh. 
Jacob Aldenderfer and wife were members of 
the Lutheran church. 

Samuel Aldenderfer attended the country 
schools and remained at home assisting his 
father until he was twenty years of age. He 
then started out for himself and worked by 
the month for three years, when he married 
and at that time moved to the old home farm, 
purchasing the interests of the other heirs after 
the death of his father. He has remained on 
the place ever since, making many improve- 
ments as the years have passed and prospering 
as the reward of industry and good manage- 
ment. He is a Democrat in politics but has 
never accepted any office except that of school 
director. 

Mr. Aldenderfer was married October 20, 
1879, to Miss Lydia Stout, a daughter of 
Henry and Susanna (Bolender) Stout, and a 
granddaughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth 
Bolender and of Isaac and Esther Stout. The 
parents of Mrs. Aldenderfer now live retired 
at Stoutsville, where they are well known and 
highly esteemed. To them were born the fol- 
lowing children: Sarah, who is the wife of 
Simon Courtright ; Catherine, who is the wife 



38 



664 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



of George Kocher; and Lydia, who is the wife 
of Samuel Aldenderfer. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Aldenderfer four children were born, namely: 
Pearl, who married Samuel Young, and has 
one son, Roy; Hazel, who is the wife of 
Ernest Justice; and Bernice and Bessie. Mr. 
Aldenderfer and family attend the Reformed 
church at Stoutsville. For some years he has 
been a member of the order of Knights of 
Pythias and attends the Amanda lodge. 

, JOSHUA MILLER, one of the representa- 
tive citizens of Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, O., of \\hich he was a trustee for 
twelve years and president of the board a part 
of this long period, was born in this township. 
May 8, 1832, and is a son of John and. Mary 
(Young) Miller. 

John Miller was born in Lancaster County, 
Pa., and came from there to Fairfield County 
very young, his parents moving to this section 
when he was but four years of age. The 
Millers are of German ex-traction and are nu- 
merous in Fairfield County and distinguishing 
names are frequently given them, for instance, 
Grandfather John Miller was known as 
"Honey John," on account of his having many 
hives of bees. He survived to the age of 
eighty-two years. His son, also John Miller, 
■was but in his fifty-second year at the time of 
his (the latter's) death. He was a well known 
man in Greenfield Township and administered 
for many estates. He married Mary Young, 
who was born in Germany. 

Joshua Miller was reared on his father's 
farm and his early life was that of the usual 
country boy — some attendance at school and 
many duties around the farm, including the 
taking care of stock. He owns a fine farm of 
100 acres which for many years he successfully 
operated and still oversees. Mr. Miller has 
been twice married, first to Mahala Arnold, 



and they had three children, the one survivor 
being Orpha, who lives with her father. He 
was married secondly to Mrs. Isabel Hoover, 
widow of John Hoover and daughter of 
Thomas Fetters, once a prominent citizen of 
this township. Mr. Miller's two deceased 
children were J. E., who was a practicing phy- 
sician at Fort Wayne, Ind., a graduate of 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, N. Y. ; and 
Diana. For fifty-six years Mr. Miller has been 
a member of the United Brethren church, in 
which he has served as class-leader and trustee, 
and for thirty-five years was Sunday-school 
superintendent. He belongs to the Patrons of 
Husbandry, at Carroll, and in his political 
opinions is in accord with the Republican party. 

NELSON F. SHUPE, a well known citizen 
and busy farmer of Clear Creek Township, 
Fairfield County, O., where he is operating 
120 acres of land and meeting with the success 
that attends careful farming, was born in Ohio, 
in 1854, and is a son of George and Christiana 
(Stout) Shupe. The father of Mr. Shupe 
was born in Fairfield County and was killed 
while serving as a soldier in the Civil War. 
The mother was born in Pickaway County. 
They had three children — Nelson F. ; Mary, 
widow of E. J. Hardin ; and Jerome, deceased. 

Nelson F. Shupe was young when he lost 
his brave father and thus had fewer oppor- 
tunitiee than would have been his had this par- 
ent lived to provide for him. After his school 
days were over he became a clerk in a general 
store and remained four years in this capacity 
with M. F. Poole. Since then he has followed 
farming. In September, 1878, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah E. Hartranft, the only 
daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Leist) 
Hartranft. They had but two children, a son 
that died in infancy and Mrs. Shupe. Mr. and 
Mrs. Shupe have two children, Ollie B. and 




JOSHUA MILLEK 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



667 



Katie M., the latter being the wife of Harley 
E. Pearce, who assists Mr. Shupe on the farm. 
Mr. Shupe and family belong to the Re- 
formed church. He is a Democrat in politics 
and has served in the office of judge of 
elections. 

JOHN C. HOFFMAN, a successful hor- 
ticulturist residing in Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County, O., was born October 28, 
1865, in Berne Township, this county, and is 
a son of Jacob J. and Wilhelmina (Hartman) 
Hoffman. 

Jacob J. Hoffman was born in Wertem- 
berg, Germany, while his wife was born in the 
province of Hanover and both came to Amer- 
ica with their parents when aged respectively 
thirteen and fourteen years. Both families 
settled in Berne Township, Fairfield County, 
and both prospered and increased. Jacob J. 
Hoffman died in 1886, being then in his sixty- 
second year. He was a highly respected man 
and was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran 
Church at Lancaster, O. 

He was the father of six children, as fol- 
lows : Louisa, who is the wife of William 
Kaehler, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Henry W., who 
lives in Pleasant Township; Minnie D., who 
is the wife of Harry Knollman, of Columbus, 
O. : Christina M.. who is the wife of John 
Knollman. of Indiana ; John C. ; and Sophia 
M., wlio lives also in Pleasant Township. 

John C. Hoffman was about four years old 
when his parents moved to Pleasant Township 
and settled on the farm on which he now lives. 
He attended school through boyhood, but even 
then he began to be interested in horticulture. 
Of his farm of eighty-five acres, he devotes 
thirty-five acres to fruit, making a specialty of 
apples and producing very fine ones. He is a 
meml)er of the Ohio Horticultural Society and 
attends the meetings of this body where he im- 



parts and also gains knowledge along the line 
of fruit growing. He is able to market his 
apples both locally and at distant points. He 
is a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Hoft'man's family in Fairfield County 
dates back to 1838 and at that time all of 
Berne Township was covered with woods and 
his grandfather had to clear a place before he 
could build his log cabin. One of the sons 
worked on tlie construction of the old Ohio 
Canal. 

NATHANIEL DONER, one of Stouts- 
ville's highly esteemed retired citizens, for 
many years was actively engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits in P^airfield County, and in his 
early manhood was a successful school teacher. 
He was born in Clear Creek Township, Fair- 
field County in 1840 — where he owns a farm 
of 115 acres — and is a son of David and 
Amelia (Munninger) Doner. 

The parents of Mr. Doner have long since 
passed away but during life they were well 
known and highly respected residents of Clear 
Creek Township for many years. The father 
was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in 
Virginia and both came early to Ohio. They 
were members of the Lutheran church. They 
had six sons and one daughter, namely: 
Hiram, Christian, Isaiah, David, Henry, Na- 
thaniel and Martha, the last named being de- 
ceased. She was the wife of Richard Conrad. 

Nathaniel Doner attended the early schools 
in the neighborhood of his father's farm in 
early boyhood and afterward a select school 
for three years and secured a certificate which 
entitled him to teach school. For some four 
years he engaged in teaching in Fairfield 
County and then returned to take charge of 
the home farm for his father, where he con- 
tinued until he was twenty-eight years of age. 
For about nine months he rented farm land 



668 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and then bought his first thirty-six acres which 
he subsequently sold and then purchased 
eighty-seven acres of his farm in Clear Creek 
Township, to which he later added land bought 
from his father. In addition to his Clear 
Creek Township farm he owns a farm of 
sixty-five acres situated in Amanda Township. 
Altogther Mr. Doner owns 225 acres. 

Mr. Doner was married in 1868 to Miss 
Mary A. Steward, who was born on her 
father's farm in Amanda Township and died 
December 5, 1908. Her burial was at Israel 
Church in Amanda Township. She was one 
of the following family born to her parents, 
Charles and Sarah (Koontz) Steward, natives 
of Pennsylvania : Lucy Ann, deceased, who 
was the wife of Jeremiah Zerung; Thomas; 
Hannah, who is the wife of Joseph Christy; 
William ; Mary A. ; Lewis W. ; Susan, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Thomas Reigle; 
and James, Sarah, Charles and Samuel. Mr. 
and Mrs. Doner had but one child, Charles D., 
who in 1905 married Melva E. Valentine. 
Mrs. Charles E. Doner is a daughter of George 
L. and Lavina (Baldoser) Valentine, old resi- 
dents of Clear Creek Township. Mr. Doner 
has never taken a very active part in political 
campaigns and is not identified with either of 
the great parties. At present he is serving as 
a member of the school board of Clear Creek 
Township. He has long been united with the 
Lutheran church. 

WILLIAM BOLENDER, who during the 
larger part of his life was a prosperous former 
in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, 
O., where he owned an excellent farm of 114 
acres, was born in Fulton County, in January, 
1866, and died July 7, 1909. He was a son 
of Levi and Catherine (Wannamaker) Bo- 
lender. 

The parents of Mr. Bolender were old resi- 



dents of Fairfield County, the father being a 
sucessful farmer for many years. Later he 
and his wife retired to Stoutsville, where they 
died. They had the following children: 
Elizabeth, who was twice married, first to 
Elmer Imes, and secondly to Andrew Hoff- 
man; George; Jacob; Benjamin; William; 
Cora, deceased, who was the wife of Kirby 
Conrad ; and Isaac. 

William Bolender obtained his education in 
the common schools of Clear Creek Township. 
He grew up on the home farm and made farm- 
ing his business. He was gifted with musical 
talent of a high order and not only was at the 
head of the church choir from youth and in 
demand whenever music was a part of any en- 
tertainment, religious or otherwise in his sec- 
tion, but for twenty-seven years was leader of 
the Stoutsville Band, an organization known 
all over Fairfield County. He was a Democrat 
in his political views but never took more than 
a good citizen's natural interest in politics. 

On October 27, 1886, Mr. Bolender was 
married to Miss Anna Stout, who is a daugh- 
ter of John and Mary Jane (Shupe) Stout, 
and a granddaughter of Benjamin Stout, for 
whom the town of Stoutsville was named. 
John Stout was born about two miles distant 
from this town and spent his life on his farm 
in Clear Creek Township. Mrs. Bolender was 
the third born of her parents' children, the 
others being: Ida, who is the wife of Theodore 
Creager ; and Emma, Charles E. and Florence, 
the last named being now deceased. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Bolender five children were born, 
namely: Edna, Mary Grace, Dorothy and 
Lucile, twins, and William Arnold. Mr. Bo- 
lender was a member of the Reformed church. 
He was a man of sterling character, a highly 
respected citizen, an affectionate husband and 
a careful father. Mrs. Bolender has rented 
her farm and now resides at Stoutsville where 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



669 



she is giving her children many educational 
and social advantages. She is a member of 
the Reformed church. 

JOACHUM W. FRIEND, judge of the 
Board of Township Elections of Pleasant 
Township, resides on his excellent farm of 
ninety-six acres, which he devotes to general 
agriculture. He was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, this county, October lo, 1853, and is a 
son of John and Elizabeth (Ruffner) Friend. 

John Friend was born in Richland Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, a son of Jonas Friend, 
who came to this county with his wife, from 
Pennsylvania. The Friends were poor people 
at that time, Grandfather Friend having only 
fifty cents with which to begin life in the new 
western home, but they lived to see the time 
when they could purchase both necessities and 
luxuries had they so desired. They died in 
Richland Township. John Friend lived in 
Richland Township until after his marriage 
and then moved to Pleasant Township, where 
he became a highly respected citizen and a man 
of standing. Although he never united with 
any church body he contributed to the cause of 
Christianity and he lived an upright life. His 
death occurred in 1890, and four of his chil- 
dren survive, namely : Joachum W. ; Mable, 
wife of Jacob Barr, of Pleasant Township; 
Alice, wife of Charles Basore, of Walnut 
Township; and Jennie, wife of S. L. Eymon, 
of Pleasant Township. 

Joachum W. Friend attended the district 
schools in Pleasant Township and the Fairfield 
Union Academy at Pleasantville. His busi- 
ness has been farming and stock raising and 
he has been a very successful agriculturist. In 
June, 1880, he was married to Miss Sophia 
Furry, who was born at Rushville, O., a 
daughter of the late Hiram Furry, and they 
have had four children: Gertrude M., wife of 



Edward H. Geiger, of Walnut Township; 
John F., residing at home; and two who are 
deceased. For twenty years Mr. Friend served 
continuously as a member of the school board 
and during a portion of this long period was its 
president. In politics he is a Republican and 
for several years has been a member of the 
Board of Elections, of which he is now serv- 
ing as judge. He belongs to the Odd Fellows 
at West Rushville and to Pleasant Grange, 
No. 161 5, at Pleasantville. 

LEWIS F. CRITES, vice president of the 
Farmers and Citizens Bank of Stoutsville, O., 
and one of the leading citizens and substantial 
farmers and business men of Fairfield County, 
was born in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway 
County, O., October 7, 1847. His parents 
were Levi and Anna (Reichelderfer) Crites. 

Levi Crites was born in Pickaway County, 
a son of Daniel Crites. In his earlier years he 
was a weaver, but later became a substantial 
farmer. He married a daughter of Henry 
Reichelderfer, also of Pickaway County, and 
they had the following children : Charles ; Car- 
oline, wife of D. C. Valentine; Allen; Adaline, 
wife of Mahlon Meyers; Lewis F. ; Sarah, 
wife of W. M. Baker; Julia A., wife of David 
Lape; and W. T. The parents of the above 
family are deceased, their burial being at 
Stoutsville. They were members of the Ger- 
man Reformed church. 

Lewis F. Crites grew up on his father's 
farm and obtained his education in the schools 
of Fairfield County. He early developed busi- 
ness talent and for years has been successfully 
conducting different business enterprises. He 
owns 175 acres of rich farming land, ninety- 
eight of this being in Fairfield and the re- 
mainder in Pickaway County. He is an ex- 
tensive cattle buyer, owns and conducts a large 
market at Stoutsville and has much other real 



670 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



estate in the town. His name as an official, 
adds much strength to the Farmers and Citi- 
zens Bank of Stoutsville, which is one of the 
prospering financial institutions of the county. 
Mr. Crites was married first in 1872, to 
Miss Harriet E. Luce, who was a daughter of 
William and Catherine Luce, of Maysville, 
Ind. One daughter, Katie V., was born to 
that marriage. In 1885 Mr. Crites was mar- 
ried to Miss Amanda Ernst, a daughter of 
Jacob and Catherine Ernst, of Stoutsville. 
Mrs. Crites' father still survives. Two chil- 
dren were born to the second marriage, 
Florence and Lewis Ernst, the last named be- 
ing tiie only survivor of the children. Katie 
V. was the wife of U. S. Repp and at death 
she was survived by one child, Cosey E. Repp. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crites attend the German Re- 
formed church. Nominally he is a Democrat 
but has rather independent views. He is 
identified with Maysville Lodge No. 296, F. 
& A. M., at Maysville, Ind. 

HOWARD A. BROWN, M. D., of Car- 
roll, O., one of the leading physicians and 
surgeons of Fairfield County, has been in con- 
tinuous practice in this city and the vicinity 
for the past thirty-five years. He is a native 
of Fairfield County, having been born at 
Sugar Grove, March 15, 1854, and is a son of 
Dr. R. H. Brown and a grandson of Benjamin 
Brown, the last mentioned of whom was a 
native of Maryland and of English extraction. 

Dr. R. H. Brown was born in Perry County, 
Ohio, where his father was an early settler. 
He entered Starling Medical College, at 
Columbus, O., at its opening session, and was 
a class mate of the venerable Dr. Starling Lov- 
ing, lately deceased. For many years Dr. 
Brown was a medical practitioner at Sugar 
Grove. He was a leading citizen in his locality 
and an active member of the Democratic 



party. His death occurred in November, 
i860. He married a member of the Arm- 
strong family, who were of English descent 
and were early settlers in Muskingum County, 
O. The Armstrongs traced their descent back 
to the year 1040 to the Earl of Northumber- 
land. After her husband's death, Mrs. Brown 
married Jesse Stuckey, of Fairfield County, 
and they had one son, John J., who is a dental 
surgeon at Lancaster, O. 

Howard A. Brown was six years old when 
his father died, and for several years after- 
ward he lived with an uncle, Peter Moore, in 
Hocking County, O. Later he resided with 
his step-father, Jesse Stuckey. In 1875 he was 
graduated from Starling Medical College, 
Columbus, O., and practiced his profession 
first at Sugar Grove, but in 1876 he came to 
Carroll, where he has remained ever since. He 
is one of the representative citizens and med- 
ical men of this section. He serv'ed as a mem- 
ber of the village council ^for a number of 
years and as a member of the school board, of 
which he has frequently been presiding officer, 
and he has always given that time and atten- 
tion to matters of public importance which 
good citizenship demands. He is identified 
with the county and state medical associations, 
serving one year as president of the county 
society, and belongs also to the American 
Medical Association. Fraternally Dr. Brown 
is one of the active members of Mount Pleas- 
ant Lodge, No. 48, F. & A. M., at Lancaster, 
where he belongs also to the Knights of 
Pythias and is additionally connected with the 
Modern Woodmen at Carroll. 

Dr. Brown was united in marriage with 
Miss Emma E. Ackers, of Fairfield County, a 
daughter of Ephraim Ackers, a former prom- 
inent resident of Berne Township, who was 
once auditor of Fairfield County. Two sons 
were born to Dr. and Mrs. Brown — Robert H. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



671 



and Archie A. The former is now deceased. 
The latter, a practicing physician, is associated 
professionally with his father. Dr. and Mrs. 
Brown are members of the Methodist Church. 

ALLEN DONER, who successfully carries 
on his agricultural activities on his excellent 
farm of eighty-five acres, situated in Clear 
Creek Township, was born in this township, 
July 20, 1864, and is a son of David and 
Malinda (Crites) Doner and a grandson of 
David Doner. Mr. Doner has two brothers 
and one sister — \Villiam Wilson, Milton and 
Sarah. 

Allen Doner has devoted himself to farming 
ever since his brief school period was over, 
earning his first money by doing farm work by 
the month and working on different farms for 
some ten or twelve years, after which he pur- 
chased his eighty-five acre tract in Clear Creek 
Township. Mr. Doner is a careful farmer and 
practical man and thoroughly understands his 
business. 

In 1903 Mr. Doner was married to Miss 
Ellen Phillips, a daughter of Jacob and Sophia 
(Crites) Phillips, formerly well known resi- 
dents of Amanda Township. Mrs. Doner has 
the following brothers and sisters: John; 
Louisa, wife of David Young; Lena, wife of 
Henry Keiger; Sarah, wife of Edward Keiger; 
Flora, wife of George Murray; and William. 
Mr. Doner takes a good citizen's interest in 
politics but is not an office seeker. He is a Re- 
publican. He belongs to the Knights of Pyth- 
ias and attends lodge at Amanda, O. 

FREDERiaC W. KING, postmaster at 
Lockville, O., and a member of the firm of 
King & Gundy, dealers in and shippers of 
grain at this place, is a man thoroughl yrepre- 
sentative of the important business interests of 
this section of Fairfield County. He was born 



in Violet Township, Fairfield County, Jan- 
uary 28, 1868, and is a son of Michael and 
Mary A. (Boyer) King, old and prominent 
residents of the county. 

Michael King was born in York County, 
Pa., August 3, 1837, a son of Michael and 
Susanna (Schelgal) King, natives also of 
Pennsylvania. Grandfather Michael King 
brought his family to Fairfield County late in 
1837. They lived for a short time in Bloom 
Township and then moved to Lockville and 
lived in this village from 1838 until 185 1. In 
the latter year the Kings moved to Violet 
Township and lived there until 1862, when 
Grandfather King made one more removal, 
going to Fulton County, Ind., where he died in 
1868. 

Michael King, Jr., father of Frederick W., 
was six months old when his parents came to 
Ohio and he was mainly reared in Fairfield 
County. He learned the trade of carpenter 
and builder and subsequently followed build- 
ing and contracting for about fifty years. He 
also engaged in farming and stock raising and 
still owns his farm of 2^7, acres, which is lo- 
cated in Violet Township, near Lockville. Mr. 
King has been one of the leading Democrats 
of Violet Township for many years and in 
1901 was elected a county commissioner of 
Fairfield County, and served in this important 
office for seven consecutive years. 

Michael King married Mary A. Boyer, who 
was born in Violet Township, a daughter of 
Jacob Boyer. a former well known resident 
of this township and children were born to this 
union as follows: Charles M., who is a resi- 
dent of Sacramento, Calif.; Frank M., who 
resides at home with his parents: Laura, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Chas. Fishbaugh 
of Huntingdon County, Ind.; Irvin E., who 
lives in Liberty Township; Frederick W. ; 
Jessei who is a farmer in Violet Township; 



672 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



William W., who is a resident of Canal Win- 
chester; Jacob L., who lives at Carroll, C; 
John E., who is employed at Baltimore, Ohio; 
James R., who lives in Violet Township; and 
Mary E., who is the wife of Eugene Moore, a 
well known attorney in Licking County. 

Frederick W. King was reared on the home 
farm and attended the Violet Township 
schools. Prior to entering upon his present 
business enterprise at Lockville, he engaged in 
farming, but since 1901 has been postmaster 
at Lockville and has been engaged commer- 
cially as above indicated. He married J^Iiss 
Ida M. Corcoran, who was born at London, 
O., a daughter of the late James Corcoran, and 
they have two children, Helen L. and Ruth L. 
Mr. and. Mrs. King are members of the Luth- 
eran church. With the exception of one term 
as constable of Violet Township, Mr. King has 
accepted no local office outside that of post- 
master and in the latter capacity is popular 
with his fellow citizens, giving them efficient, 
quick and cheerful service. 

H. W. YOUNG, an honored veteran of the 
great Civil War and for many years a farmer, 
seed and fruit grower, resides on his excellent 
farm of forty acres which lies two miles north 
east of Bremen, O. He was born in Fairfield 
County, O., just one and one-half miles east of 
Bremen, March 4, 1844, and is a son of 
Thomas M. and Catherine (Moyer) Young. 

Thomas M. Young was born also in Fair- 
field County and spent his life in his native 
neighborhood, following the trades of car- 
penter and cabinetmaker. His death occurred 
at the age of fifty-nine years. He married 
Catherine Moyer and five children were born 
to them : Jacob, who follows the carpenter's 
trade at Warren, Ind. ; H. W. ; John M., who 
follows the plastering trade and lives at But- 
ler, Ind. ; William, a blacksmith, who remains 



on the old home place; and a babe that lived 
but a few days. 

H. W. Young attended the district schools 
and assisted his father until the Civil War 
broke out, when, in 1861, in answer to Presi- 
dent Lincoln's first call, he enlisted in Co. B., 
17th O. Vol. Inf., and continued in the army 
until the close of hostilities, during the greater 
part of this time being under General Thomas. 
He participated in many of the great battles 
of that war, including Perryville, Corinth, 
Stone River and Chickamauga. There he re- 
ceived a dangerous wound and afterward was 
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps and 
was made a department clerk, first in the of- 
fice of the Fourth Auditor and afterward in 
the prison camps at Elmira, N. Y. After he 
was released from military service, and with a 
most honorable record, he returned to Fair- 
field County and since then has followed peace- 
ful pursuits. He has one oil well on his prop- 
erty. He takes much interest in the G. A. R. 
and belongs to the post at Bremen. He comes 
naturally by his military courage, his great- 
grandfather, who was born in 1753, in Ireland, 
having served eight years in the War of the 
Revolution; his grandfather having served un- 
der General Sanderson in the War of 1812, 
while his father was a veteran of the Mexican 
War. 

Mr. Young married Miss Matilda King, and 
nine children were born to them, as follows: 
Ervan, who is a minister in the Reformed 
church, at Wooster, O., married Anna Shock 
of Tiffin, and they have three children; Charles 
S., who is a farmer in Rush Creek township, 
married Margaret C. Guyton and they have 
three children; Arthur O., who lives at Balti- 
more, O., married Lillie Kagay and they have 
two children: Blanche, who is the wife of 
Charles Brant; Walter, who lives in Rush 
Creek township north of his father, married 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



673 



Hattie Grove and they have one child ; and 
Corda E., Lizzie M., LilHe M. and Maggie, all 
of whom are deceased. Politically Mr. Young 
is a Republican and twice he has been ap- 
pointed to take the census in his township. 
He is a member of the Reformed church and 
fraternally has long been identified with the 
Odd Fellows. 

MILTON F. TAYLOR, whose valuable 
farm of 240 acres is situated in Section 15, 
Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., was 
born on this farm, September 2^, 1848, in the 
old log house which his grandfather erected 
when he settled here in 1829. He is a son of 
Jesse, Jr., and Ann (Kraner) Taylor. 

Jesse Taylor, Jr., was born September 9, 
1806, in Frederick County, Va., and accom- 
panied his parents to Ohio, where his mother 
soon afterward died. The grandfather, Jesse 
Taylor, Sr., located at Lancaster, O., in 1827 
and two years later came to Walnut Township 
and secured the land which has never since 
been out of the Taylor name. At first the 
Taylors bought a lease of the property and 
later entered it under the administration of 
Governor Medill, the old sheep-skin deed 
showing that the father of Milton F. Taylor 
was the one with whom the business was trans- 
acted. Jesse Taylor, Sr., later bought a little 
farm but subsequently retired to New Salem 
and died there when aged ninety-four years. 
He was the father of seven children: James, 
John, Robert, Jesse, Harriet, Juliet, and Betsy 
Ann, all of whom are now deceased. Harriet 
was the wife of James Cherry and Betsy Ann 
married Daniel Hommack, and Juliet married 
Peter Sperry. 

After coming to Ohio, Jesse Taylor, Jr., 
father of Milton F., engaged for some time in 
hauling stone for the building of the locks on 



the canal, making trips from Lancaster to 
Zanesville, both of these busy cities of the 
present day then being little more than vil- 
lages. He was married in Fairfield County 
to Jane Rank, and secondly to Ann Kraner, 
the latter of whom was born in Virginia, a 
daughter of Thomas Kraner, an early settler 
in Fairfield County. She died in 1899, aged 
80 years, leaving but one child, Milton Fil- 
more. To the first marriage four children 
were born : Sarah, who is the widow of I. W. 
Holt; William, a veteran of the Civil War, 
who died in 1895 ! David, who enlisted at New 
Salem, O., served in the Civil W^ar as a mem- 
ber of the 126th Regiment and was killed at 
the battle of Pittsburg Landing; and Adeline, 
who was the wife of Solomon Watson, both 
now deceased. Jesse Taylor died in 1878. 
He was a highly respected man and had been 
a successful farmer. 

Milton Filmore Taylor has spent his long 
and bu.sy life in farming and stock raising. 
He attended the country schools in boyhood 
and later was a student for three terms in 
the Fairfield Union Academy. In 1887 Mr. 
Ta3'lor bought 85 acres adjoining the old home 
place on the east, and the family took up their 
residence here in April. 1887. The residence 
has been remodeled and made more comfort- 
able and attractive. On November 9, 1878, 
Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Ella Mc- 
Naghten, a daughter of David Y. McNaghten, 
and they have three children : Adria L., who is 
the wife of Bryant Hawke, cashier of a bank 
at Hebron, O., and has one son, Lester Eu- 
gene; James D., a resident of Philadelphia, 
who married Zella Goss; and Bessie D. Mr. 
Taylor and daughter are members of the 
Primitive Baptist Church at Thurston, O. He 
is a Republican in politics and has served two 
terms as township trustee. The family is one 
of the best known in Walnut Township. 



674 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



FREDERICK MONDHANK, a well 
known farmer and stockraiser in Greenfield 
Township, resides on a farm of ninety acres, 
owns an additional 120 acres in the same town- 
ship and manages a fine farm of 115 acres, 
also in Greenfield Township, which belongs 
to his wife. He was born December 10, 1849, 
at Portsmouth, O., and is a son of William 
and Nettie Mondhank. 

The parents of Mr. Mondhank were born 
in Germany and from there emigrated to the 
United States in 1846. For several years after 
reaching Ohio, they lived at Portsmouth, 
whence they came to Fairfield County, settling 
in Berne Township. Many years later they 
removed to Pleasant Township and from there 
to Lancaster, O., where the mother still lives. 
The father died in February, 1908. Ten chil- 
dren were born to William and Nettie Mond- 
hank, namely: William D., of Lancaster, O. ; 
Frederick, of Greenfield Township; Mary, wife 
of Albert Alspach, of Liberty Township ; Car- 
oline, of Lancaster, O. ; Molinda, wife of 
Wesley Ackers, of Lancaster; Agnes, wife of 
Edward Miesse, of Celina, O. ; Catherine, wife 
of Edward Baugher, of Greenfield Township; 
Albert, residing in Pleasant Township; Net- 
tie, wife of Hiram Baugher, of Mercer 
County, O. ; and Sophia, wife of Albert Bach- 
man, of Canal Winchester, O. 

Frederick Mondhank was mainly reared in 
Berne Township and there obtained his school- 
ing and afterward engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. On November 24, 1874, he was 
married to Miss Sarah Kratzer, who was born 
in Madison Township, Fairfield County, O., 
and is a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Krat- 
zer. Jacob Kratzer was born in Wertemberg, 
Germany and his wife was born in the same 
neighborhood. He was about twenty years of 
age when he came to America and his first work 
was on the old Ohio Canal which was then 



in process of construction, and during this time 
he lived at Lancaster. Later he settled in 
Madison Township and lived there for over a 
half century becoming one of the well known 
and highly respected farmers of that locality, 
his death occurring when he was eighty-one 
years of age. His widow survived him by a 
few years. Of their eight children the fol- 
lowing survive : Catherine, who is the widow 
of George Neubauer, late of Berne Township, 
she being now a resident of Pleasant Town- 
ship ; Louise E., who is the widow of William 
Wolfinger, of Marion County, O. ; Barbara 
and Susan, both of whom live at Lancaster; 
Sarah, who is Mrs. Mondhank; and Toratta, 
who is the wife of Henry Meister, of .'Kmanda 
Township. 

Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Mondhank, namely : Walter J., who lives 
at Butler, Ind. ; Charles F., who lives at Lan- 
caster; Ethel M., who resides at home; and 
Nettie, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mond- 
hank are members of St. Peter's Lutheran 
Church at Lancaster, of which he is a trustee. 
In politics, Mr. Mondhank is nominally a 
Democrat but he frequently exercises his own 
good judgment when he casts his vote. 

H. S. SMITH, a well known citizen of 
Fairfield County, who, for over a quarter of 
a century has been successfully engaged in 
farming and stock raising in Bloom Township, 
Fairfield County, O., for many years was an 
equally successful school teacher and served 
also as justice of the peace for two terms. 
He was born in Bloom Township, one mile 
west of his present farm of 160 acres, near 
Lithopolis, January 22, 1840, and is a son of 
Henry and Elizabeth (Runkle) Smith. 

Henry Smith was born in Pickaway County, 
O., August 30, 181 7, and died November 10, 
1872, aged fifty-five years. The greater part 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



675 



of his life was passed in Fairfield County but 
the last five years were spent on the farm on 
which his son, H. S. now resides. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Runkle, who w-as born in Fair- 
field County, January 28, 1821, and died July 
10, 1901. Her father, John Runkle, was one 
of the earliest settlers in tliis section and was 
a farmer and blacksmith. To Henry Smith 
and wife the following children were born: 
H. S., subject of this sketch; Andrew Jack- 
son, born September 28, 1841; Sarah Eliza- 
beth, July 17, 1843; Jacob Jerome, March 25, 
1845; John Calvin, February 21, 1847; Joseph 
Nelson, April 26, 1849, died September 6, 
1850; Samuel Caleb, born March 2, 1851; 
Anna Mary, October 10, 1854; Elenora Belle, 
born November 20, 1857, died January 8, 
1859; ^"'^ I'^T Alberta, born March 22, 1859. 

H. S. Smith attended the country schools 
and spent two years in school at Lithopolis 
and afterward had educational advantages at 
Findlay and also at Columbus. For some 
twenty years he devoted himself closely to 
school teaching and thus became well and fav- 
orably known at Lithopolis and Royalton and 
also through the eastern part of Pickaway 
county and while residing at Royalton, served 
two terms as a justice of the peace. In 1883 
he retired from the educational field and since 
then has been interested in farming. 

Mr. Smith was married first, August 25, 
1868, to Miss Mary Ann Homrighous, who 
was born June 2y, 1840, and died March 19, 
1895. She was a daughter of John and Mag- 
dalen Homrighous, of Royalton. Mr. Smith 
was married secondly, January 6, 1898, to 
Miss Mary Ann Heim, a daughter of Daniel 
and Susan (Spade) Heim. The father of 
Mrs. Smith was born in Pennsylvania and was 
brought to Pickaway County, O., when nine 
years of age, and he became a farmer and saw- 
mill man. His birth took place April 21, 1832, 



and his death February 2, 1905. He married 
Susan Spade and they had three children: 
Mary Ann (Mrs. Smith); Emanuel, residing 
at Amanda; and Mrs. Iva Cole. Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith are members of the Lutheran 
church. Politically Mr. Smith has always 
been identified with the Democratic party. 

P. S. BONE, M. D., physician and surgeon, 
who has been located at Royalton, Fairfield 
County, O., for four and one-half years, dur- 
ing which time he has built up a satisfactory 
practice, was born in Vinton County, O., and 
is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Jordan) Bone. 
The father of Dr. Bone was a farmer in Jack- 
son Township and he and wife died when 
their son was small. 

P. S. Bone was reared in Jackson Town- 
ship, Vinton County, where he attended 
school, and later spent two years in the Ohio 
University. He then turned his attention to 
the study of medicine and received his degree 
in 1903 from the Oliio Medical University at 
Columbus. He is a member of the Fairfield 
County and Ohio State Medical Associations, 
as well as the American Medical vVssociation 
and keeps fully abreast with the times in med- 
ical science. 

Dr. Bone was married to Miss Emma Puf- 
finbarger, who was born in Pickaway County, 
a daughter of John Puffinbarger, a representa- 
tive of an old settled family there. In politics 
Dr. Bone maintains an independent attitude. 
He is identified with the Masonic lodge at 
Lithopolis, O. Edna PufTinbarger was adopted 
in 1900 by P. S. Bone and wife and her name 
changed to Edna Bone. 

M. M. MIESSE, proprietor of the White 
Post Farm, which is situated one mile north 
of Lancaster, O., on the Baltimore & Lancas- 
ter Pike within a period of less than twenty 



676 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



years has developed a business from very small 
beginnings into one of the largest in this sec- 
tion of Ohio. He was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County, O., August 20, 
1853, and is a son of Solomon and Mary 
(Keller) Miesse. 

The parents of Mr. Miesse were both born 
in Fairfield County, where the grandparents 
had been early settlers, coming from Pennsyl- 
vania on foot and horseback and both living 
to advanced age. Solomon Miesse was a lead- 
ing man of his township and served as a school 
director and as township trustee for many 
years. 

M. M. Miesse obtained a district school 
education and since then has devoted himself 
to agricultural pursuits. He settled on his 
present farm in 1892 and when he started his 
first greenhouse it was in the nature of an ex- 
periment. Having a natural bent in the direc- 
tion of truck gardening and possessing excel- 
lent judgment and untiring industry, Mr. 
Miesse has succeeded in building up a large 
and important business, the White Post Farm 
being known all over this part of Ohio. For 
some years before establishing himself on his 
present farm he lived three miles northeast, 
where he had a hot bed ninety feet in length, 
which was heated by a furnace. He found 
this profitable and then built a greenhouse 20 
X 52 feet in dimensions and started into a still 
larger business, raising early vegetables for 
market and gradually expanding until he 
found it necessary to get larger accommoda- 
tions. He has eleven greenhouses on White 
Post Farm, and nine of these are 15 x 202 feet 
and are heated by hot water, the Skinner irri- 
gating system being in use, and all are fitted 
with modern appliances and improvements. 
Mr. Miesse is a grower and shipper of fine 
lettuce, melons and tomatoes and is a breeder 
also of R. C. Rhode Island Red chickens. He 



is the originator of the Banner potato, the 
Cannon Ball watermelon, the Evergreen cu- 
cumber and the Royal Red, Aristocrat, 
Maule's Enormous, and Maule's Success Mag- 
nificent tomatoes. He has a ready market at 
Lancaster, O. but also ships to Columbus and 
to many points in the Hocking Valley. His 
business has been developed by himself and 
has required long years of the closest care and 
attention and much study of varieties and 
their habits and the result has been the intro- 
duction of some of the finest and most suc- 
culent vegetables ever put on the market. 

On October 5, 1876, Mr. Miesse was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. Feeman, a daughter of 
John L. Feeman, an old resident of Pleasant 
Township, and they have had three children: 
Harley T., who lives in Greenfield Township; 
Daisy A. and Robert R., both of whom are 
now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miesse are mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Association. In polit- 
ics he is a Republican but takes no very active 
part, his large business absorbing the most of 
his time. White Post Farm is an interesting 
place to visit at any time of the year but par- 
ticularly so during the summer season, when 
all the industries are in active operation. 

DAVID E. CUNNINGHAM, whose excel- 
lent farm of ninety-nine and one-half acres is 
situated in Clear Creek Township, was born on 
this farm November 15, 1859, and has always 
resided here. He is a son of David and Chris- 
tina (Boreaugh) Cunningham. The parents of 
Mr. Cunningham were both born in Berks 
County, Pa., and both died and were buried on 
this farm. 

David E. Cunningham was his parents' only 
child and he remained with them and gave them 
filial care as long as they lived. Mr. Cunning- 
ham's interests have always been along agri- 
cultural lines and he has been a busy man but 



r; 
V. 




-J. 

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c; 

V. 
V. 




AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



679 



not too busy to also take an interest in public 
affairs in his township and perform his duties 
as a citizen. For seven years he has served as 
a member of the school board and perhaps no 
township in the county has better regulated 
schools than this. He was elected a trustee of 
the township, on the Democratic ticket, and 
was reelected and served in that capacity for 
six years. 

Mr. Cunningham was married in 1878, to 
Miss Christina Ochs, who died March i, 1909, 
and her burial was in the Amanda Township 
Cemetery. Mr. Cunningham has one son, 
Frank E., who is attending Crawfis College, in 
Fairfield County, where he is a very satis- 
factory student. Mr. Cunningham belongs to 
the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, at Lan- 
caster, O., and to the Modern Woodmen, and 
is also a member of the American Insurance 
Union. He attends the Lutheran church. 



ten years at Basil and other points. He then 
became connected with a basil business house 
with which he remained for twenty-seven 
years. In April. 1909, he embarked in busi- 
ness for himself, in the grocery and meat line 
and has a large and well equipped place of 
business. He is a public spirited citizen, a 
member of the school board, a ready contribu- 
tor to local charities, and gives political sup- 
port to the Republican party. 

Mr. Laver married ISIiss Sarah Sriner, who 
was born in Fairfield County, and they have 
two children, namely : Guy, a motorman on the 
street railway at Delaware, O., who married 
Edna Knight, and has four children : Carroll, 
Louise, and Donald and Doris, twins; and 
Goldie, now Mrs. Cheney, who has one son — 
Roslyn Vance. Mr. Laver and family are 
members of Trinity Reformed Church. He is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias. 



J. A. LAVER, who conducts the only com- 
bined grocery store and meat market at Basil, 
O., is one of the leading citizens in the town's 
afifairs. He was born in 1850, in Fairfield 
County, and is a son of John and Anna 
(Roley) Laver. 

John Laver was born in Pennsylvania but 
spent the larger part of his life in Fairfield 
County, O., where he was well and favorably 
known and lived to the age of eighty-two years. 
He was a carpenter and general mechanic. He 
married Anna Roley, who was born also in 
Pennsylvania and died in Fairfield County, in 
her eighty-sixth year. They had four chil- 
dren : William, who lives at Basil ; Sarah, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Thomas Smurr; 
Angeline, who married B. F. Harner; and J. 
A. Laver. 

J. A. Laver obtained his education in the 
Basil schools and afterward learned the trade 
of carriage trimming, which he followed for 



JOSHUA CRUMLEY, one of Hocking 
Township's well known citizens, a member of 
one of the old settled families of Fairfield 
County, O., was born in Bloom Township, Oc- 
tober 13, 1837, and is a son of Conrad and 
Magdalena M. (Feller) Crumley, who were 
natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in 
Fairfield County. 

Joshua Crumley obtained his education in 
the district schools but had few advantages as 
compared to those afforded the young people 
of the present day. Farming and stock rais- 
ing have mainly engaged his attention and he 
owns a valuable farm of about eighty acres, 
on which he has lived for many years. 

Mr. Crumley married Miss Susanah Coff- 
man, a daughter of John Coffman, of Hocking 
Township, and they have had eight children: 
Emerson L^., who lives at Columbus; William 
S., Wallace M.. Oril D. and Harry E., all of 
whom live in Hocking Township; Mellie E., 



680 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



who is the wife of Wallace Strode, of Lancas- 
ter, O. ; Zernah A., who is the wife of C. F. 
Van Dyke, of Lancaster; and John C, who is 
deceased. The mother of the above family is 
deceased. Mr. Crumley is a member of Trin- 
ity Evangelical Lutheran Church situated four 
miles west of Lancaster. 

ISAAC G. HOY, whose valuable stock and 
general grain farm of 159 acres is situated in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., two 
and one-half miles south of Lithopolis, O., was 
born in this township in 1864, and is a son of 
Abraham and Maranda (Custer) Hoy. 

The Hoy family is one of the old and sub- 
stantial ones of Bloom township, the first of 
its members coming from Pennsylvania and 
in the house that the great-grandfather built, 
several generations were born. Abraham Hoy 
was a farmer all his life and was a well known 
and highly respected man. His death occurred 
in his seventy-second year. He married Ma- 
randa Custer, who was born in Hocking 
County, O., and they had three children, 
namely : Isaac G. ; Emma, who is deceased ; 
and Joshua, who is also deceased. 

Isaac G. Hoy has been a farmer, as was his 
father and grandfather, and has spent his life 
on his present well improved property. He 
married Alice Rainey, a daughter of William 
G. Rainey, the latter of whom came to Fair- 
field from Guernsey County, when a young 
man. He married Caroline Alspach and they 
had four children : John, Addie, Alice and Wil- 
liam, the eldest being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hoy have had three children : Harold, Marie 
and Hubert. Both sons are yet at home giving 
their father assistance, but the daughter is 
deceased. Politically Mr. Hoy is identified 
with the Democratic party and is now serving 
in the office of township trustee. He belongs 



to the Knights of Pythias and attends lodge 
at Canal Winchester. With his family he is a 
member of the Evangelical church, in which he 
is a steward and a member of the board of 
trustees. 

CHARLES S. BRANDT, building con- 
tractor, at Bremen, O., was born on his father's 
farm in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, two miles southwest of Bremen, July 
30, 1876, and is a son of C. C. and Ellen 
( Westenbarger) Brandt. He is one of a fam- 
ily of thirteen children, ten of whom are living 
and eight of these are residents of Fairfield 
Coutny. 

Charles S. Brandt obtained his education in 
the district schools in Rush Creek Township, 
after which he learned the carpenter's trade, 
with D. S. Hufford and C. W. Ricket. Mr. 
Brandt then went into contracting for himself. 
He buys his supplies by wholesale and con- 
structs buildings from foundation to roof. 
During the first year that he was in business 
he did one-fourth of the entire volume of 
building that was done at Bremen, including 
the erection of the Primary School Building, 
and during the second year did fully one-half 
of all the town building. He is an energetic 
and progressive man in whatever he under- 
takes. 

Mr. Brandt was married March 23, 1905, to 
Miss Essie Blanche Young, who was born in 
Rush Creek Townshio. one of nine children 
born to H. W. and Matilda Young, of whom 
three reside in Fairfield County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brandt are members of the U. B. church, in 
\\hich he is a steward and trustee. He is not 
a politician but takes an interest in public mat- 
ters and votes the Democratic ticket. He 
erected his comfortable residence on Marietta 
Street, Bremen. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



681 



CHARLES M. SMITH, who is a member 
of the board of trustees of Hocking Township, 
carries on general fanning on his excellent 
farm of seventy-two acres and is one of the 
representative citizens of his section. He was 
born January 17, 1859, in Hocking Township, 
Fairfield County, O., and is a son of Barthol- 
omew and Mary E. (Eversole) Smith. 

The parents of Mr. Smith were also mainly 
reared in Fairfield County, although the father 
was born in Frederick County, Virginia, a son 
of Michael Smith, who was born in what is 
now West Virginia. He was an early settler 
in Fairfield County, coming with his family 
from West Virginia when his son Barthol- 
omew was about eighteen years of age. They 
resided at Lancaster for a short time and then 
settled permanently in Hocking Township, 
where Bartholomew subsequently married and 
lived until his death, September 11, 1891. The 
following members of his family still survive : 
William H., of Wells County, Ind. ; Jacob J., 
of Ashtabula County, O. ; George W., of Pleas- 
ant Township; Theodore F., of Hocking 
Township; Benjamin E., of Lancaster; Vir- 
ginia E., wife of John D. Shaw, of North 
Berne, O. ; and Charles M. Four children are 
deceased : John T., Margaret A., Mahala J. and 
Isaac N. Bartholomew Smith was a lifelong 
Democrat and he and wife were members of 
the U. B. church. 

The boyhood of Charles M. Smith was spent 
happily on his father's farm and with his 
brothers and sisters he attended the public 
schools of Hocking Township. Farming and 
stock raising have been his main interests and 
he has made both profitable. 

Mr. Smith was married April 19, 1891, to 
Miss Isabel S. Coffman, who was born in 
Hocking Township, Fairfield County, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hughes) Coff- 
man, the former of whom was born in Fairfield 



County, a son of Martin Coffman, a native of 
Virginia and one of the early settlers in Hock- 
ing Township. The mother of Mrs. Smith was 
born in Hocking Township and her father was 
Jesse Hughes, one of the substantial early set- 
tlers here. Mrs. Smith is one of the survivors 
of a large family born to her parents, others 
being : David L., of Columbus, O. ; Charlotte, 
widow of Solomon Hunter, of Lancaster; Re- 
becca A., w-ife of B. E. Smith, of Lancaster; 
Carpenter L., of Amanda Township; and Wil- 
liam R., of Columbus. Benjamin S. Coffman 
was a Republican in politics and he and wife 
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children: 
Sema M., who is deceased; Benjamin G., who 
resides with his parents; and a babe that died 
in infancy. 

In his political views Mr. Smith is a stanch 
Democrat. He is an earnest and fair-minded 
citizen and was elected a trustee of Hocking 
Township in November, 1909, for a term of 
two years. He was reelected trustee, for his 
second term, Nov. 7, 191 1. He is also a trustee 
of the East Union U. B. church and for some 
years has been treasurer of the parsonage 
board and takes a deep interest in the Sunday- 
school. 

PHILIP F. BENADUM, a highly respected 
citizen and prominent man in Richland Town- 
ship, \\ho is president of the board of township 
trustees, now lives retired from active business 
and occupies a comfortable residence at Rush- 
ville, O. He was born in Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County, O., in 1854, and is a son of 
James K. and Sarah (Miller) Benadum. 

James K. Benadum was also born in Fair- 
field County, where he died at the early age 
of twenty-eight years. He was a blacksmith 
by trade but had been reared on a farm. He 
married Sarah Miller, a daughter of William 



682 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Miller, of Fairfield County, and they had four 
children born to them : George W., who died in 
1884, married Elizabeth Rudy, who survived 
with three children — May, Eva and Harry; 
William S., who died in infancy; Mary L., de- 
ceased, who was the wife of J. W. Keller and 
had two children — Hardy and Harry; and 
Philip F. 

Philip F. Benadum was reared by a careful 
mother and obtained his education in the dis- 
trict schools. Farming and stock raising en- 
gaged his attention for many years and he still 
owns several valuable farms, together with 
town property. He has been an influential man 
in his neighborhood and has served with effi- 
ciency in public office, elected to the same on 
the Democratic ticket. He married Miss Allie 
B. Stith and they had three children born to 
them, namely: Ode S., who lives in Richland 
Township, married Ethel Lee Middleton, and 
has one son, Frank D. ; Etta Lee, who is the 
wife of Jacob C. Elder, and lives at Rushville; 
and Ada J., who died in 1880. Mrs. Benadum 
had three brothers and three sisters — Addie, 
John M., James William, Clark, Dora J. and 
Sarah. Addie married R. M. Turner and they 
live at Rushville. John M. married Chloe 
Hutches and they also live at Rushville. The 
others are deceased. Mr. Benadum and fam- 
ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, in which he is a steward and class 
leader and a member of its board of trustees. 
For many years he was also superintendent of 
the Sunday-school and at all times has been 
one of the dependable members of his church 
and community. 

CLARENCE MARION CRUMLEY, a 
representative business man of Lancaster, O., 
where he is engaged in the fire insurance bus- 
iness was born January 22, 1861, in Hocking 
Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son 



of Peter G. and Catherine (Strode) Crumley. 

The Crumley family was established in Ohio 
by the great-grandfather, Christian Crumley, 
who was probably of German parentage but 
was born in Pennsylvania. He was accom- 
panied by his son, Conrad Crumley, in 1802-3 
and they settled near Greencastle, in Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County. Conrad Crumley 
married Mary Fellers and they had six sons 
and two daughters, as follows : David, who is 
a farmer residing in Hocking Township ; John, 
who died on his farm in Hocking Township; 
Mary, who died in the summer of 191 1, the 
widow of Daniel Hoffman ; Elizabeth, who is 
the widow of Amos Graham, and resides at 
Lancaster ; Peter G., who is the father of Clar- 
ence Marion Crumley ; Joshua and Daniel, both 
of whom are farmers in Hocking Township; 
and George, who is a farmer in Amanda 
Township, residing near Cedar Hill. 

Peter G. Crumley was born in Bloom Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, July 11, 1834, and was 
young when the family moved to Hocking 
township, where he still resides. With his 
brothers Daniel and Joshua, a nephew, who is 
a son of John Crumley, he owns the original 
Crumley estate of over 600 acres. He married 
Catherine Strode, who was born July 6, 1837, 
a daughter of George H. and Rebecca (Ar- 
nold) Strode. George H. Strode was a tanner 
by trade and formerly owned a tannery on 
Wheeling Street, Lancaster, afterward moving 
to a farm in Hocking Township. He was born 
in Virginia and his wife was a daughter of 
Daniel and Catherine Arnold, pioneers in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County. 

Clarence Marion Crumley is an only child. 
He attended District School No. 3 in Hocking 
Township and during the summer of 1879, a 
select school at Lancaster, conducted by Prof. 
William Wolf, in the basement of the Court 
House. Afterward he spent two years at the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



683 



Ohio State University. After completing his 
studies there, he returned home and was en- 
gaged in farming and stock raising until April, 
1892, when he was appointed to a position in 
the Boys' Industrial School, which he con- 
tinued to fill until January, 1894. He then re- 
turned to the farm on which he remained until 
1898, when he began soliciting insurance for 
the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company and 
continued to make his home there until Oc- 
tober, 1900, when he moved to Lancaster, hav- 
ing satisfied himself that he could make a suc- 
cess in that line of work. He was associated 
with John D. Jackson as a solicitor until Au- 
gust, 1 90 1, when he purchased the former 
agent's business and since then has been con- 
ducting a general insurance business of his own 
and has met with gratifying success. For about 
seven years, Mr. Crumley was a member of 
the Ohio National Guard and for several years 
was second lieutenant of Co. I, 14th Infantry. 
Mr. Crumley was married July 24, 1907, to 
Mrs. Emma D. White, a daughter of Joel B. 
and Emma (Hunter) Swartz. Mrs. Crumley 
has one son, J. Edward White, who was born 
March 18, 1900. Mr. Crumley is a member of 
St. Peter's German Lutheran Church, while 
Mrs. Crumley was reared in the Methodist 
faith. Politically he is a Republican. 

CHARLES F. HOFFER, justice of the 
peace in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, 
O., and a well known and reliable contractor 
and builder, was born in Switzerland, August 
17, 1849 and is a son of Jacob and Maria 
(Maderia) Hoffer, both natives of Switzer- 
land. 

Charles F. Hoffer was four years old when 
his parents emigrated to America, coming 
directly to Lancaster, O., shortly afterward 
moving to Hocking County and then to Pleas- 
ant Township, Fairfield County. Here he was 

89 



reared and obtained his education in the dis- 
trict schools and Pleasant Township Seminary. 
When eighteen years of age he learned the 
trade of a carpenter and builder and has been 
in business along this line ever since. He 
takes contracts for barns, houses and bridges 
and affords employment to from three to fif- 
teen men according to the season. In politics 
he is a Democrat. For three years he has been 
superintendent of roads in Pleasant Town- 
ship and looks after twenty-six miles and it 
may be remarked that the highways in Pleas- 
ant Township are in fine condition. For seven- 
teen consecutive years he has served in the 
office of justice of the peace. 

Mr. Hoffer married Miss Nancy D. Boyer, a 
daughter of John Boyer, formerly of Walnut 
Township, and six children have been born 
to them: Charles F., of Pleasant Township; 
Harold L., of Chillicothe; Ida O., wife of 
Clark Sites, of Pleasant Township; Carrie E., 
wife of John Grube, of Liberty Township; and 
John C. and Minnie, both of whom are de- 
ceased. Mr. Hoffer and family are members 
of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been 
a deacon for thirty-seven continuous years. He 
is identified with the Masons and the Odd 
Fellows, both at Pleasantville, O. 

J. H. FULTZ, a well known member of the 
Rushville bar and a substantial and public spir- 
ited citizen of Fairfield County, O., was born 
in 1867, in Richland Township, and is a son 
of David and Margaret (Brinkley) Fultz. 

David Fultz was born in Pennsylvania and 
came to Fairfield County, O., locating in Rich- 
land Township, in 1855. Here he followed the 
carpenter's trade to which he later added the 
undertaking business, but now lives retired. 
In 1864, during the Civil War, he enlisted for 
service, entering Co. K, 159th O. Vol. Inf., 
and saw service in Maryland and Virginia. 



684 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



He still retains his farm in Richland Township 
and passes his summers there, going to Florida 
for the winters. He married Margaret Brink- 
ley, whose death occurred in 1901, and they 
had nine children born to them, as follows: 
Charles E., who lives at Charleston, W. Va. ; 
J. H. ; Owen, who is a cornet soloist and travels 
with a concert company ; Minnie, who married 
Bert Lyon, superintendent of the K. & M. Rail- 
road; Rhoda, who married William Stimble, 
of Newport, Ky. ; Elizabeth, who is the wife 
of W. Wiseman, of Columbus; Hattie, who 
resides at home; Frank, who is in business at 
Middleport as train dispatcher for the T. & O. 
C. ; and Delia, who is the widow of Charles 
Dyarman, formerly a newspaper man. 

J. H. Fultz was educated in the public 
schools and Dennison University and later 
completed a course in law, being admitted to 
the bar in 1903. For some years he was en- 
gaged also in railroad work. He maintains his 
law office at Rushville, of which place he has 
been in the past and still continues a leading 
citizen. He served two terms as mayor and for 
sixteen years was a member of the Board of 
Education, its clerk for seven years and its 
president for one and has acceptably filled nu- 
merous other local positions. He is the can- 
didate of the Democratic party for representa- 
tive and in all that goes to make good citizen- 
ship, he is well equipped for the race and has 
both personal and political friends by the score. 
Mr. Fultz has traveled is almost every part of 
the country and is an unusually intelligent, 
broad-minded man. He is a member and 
trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
For a number of years he has been identified 
with the Masonic fraternity. He has numer- 
ous business interests and is a stockholder in 
the Rushville Bank. 

On December 27, 1889 Mr. Fultz married 
Miss Melpha Combs, of Rushville, a daughter 



of John and Jennie (Withrow) Combs. John 
Combs, who was a native of Perry County, 
Ohio, took up his residence in Rushville, this 
county. He was a carpenter and also an in- 
ventor of note, inventing many useful devices, 
which, however, he did not have patented. He 
and his wife, who was a native of Virginia, had 
a family consisting of Melpha, now Mrs. 
Fultz; Otto C, Charles E., Telia, wife of 
Thos. G. Anderson; Mabel, wife of John 
Morehead; and Jessie C, wife of G. C. 
Warner. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fultz have become the parents 
of four children — Carl G., Wilfred B., Fern 
M. and Beulah M. 

CHARLES H. CHRISTY, who is a promi- 
nent farmer in Amanda Township, of which 
lie has been township trustee since January, 
1908, is a native of Fairfield County, born Oc- 
tober II, 1852, one mile south of his present 
farm, on the Amanda and Circleville turnpike 
road. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah 
(Steward) Christy. 

John Christy, the paternal grandfather, was 
a son of John Christy, who was a native of 
England. Grandfather Christy was an early 
settler in this part of Fairfield County and 
owned a farm two miles west of Amanda. He 
probably married in Ohio and became the 
father of eight children, as follows : Peter, 
Jonas and Nicholas, all of whom died in Illi- 
nois; Henry who spent his life on the old home 
place in Amanda Township; Joseph; Cather- 
ine, who was the wife of a Mr. Collins; Susan, 
who married a Stout, and a babe, all the family 
being now deceased. 

Joseph Christy was a well known man in his 
day in Fairfield County, having some 600 acres 
of land in the County and many men in his 
employ. During the Civil War he bought 
horses for the Government and all his active 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



685 



life he was engaged to a large extent in stock 
dealing. In politics he was a stanch Democrat 
but the only office he ever accepted was that of 
land appraiser, in which he served two terms. 
He married Hannah Steward, who was born 
in Pennsylvania and came to Fairfield County 
when six years old. She was a daughter of 
Charles Steward, and they had the following 
children born to them : Nancy A., who is the 
wife of Amos Aldenderfer, of Amanda Town- 
ship; Charles H., our direct subject; Lewis, 
who lives in Hocking Township, Fairfield 
County; Jemima, who is the wife of Eli Alden- 
derfer, living in Amanda Township; Mary 
Alice, who is the wife of Frank Wilson, living 
in Amanda Township; Emma, who is the wife 
of John Myers, living on the Circleville turn- 
pike road ; Minnie, who is the wife of Albert 
Marion, living on the Circleville turnpike; 
James, who is a resident of Kansas City, Kan. ; 
Sherman, a twin brother of whom died in in- 
fancy; and Lucy, who is the wife of Charles 
Barr, residing in .\manda Township. The 
father of the above family died February 12, 
1907, and two days later his burial took place 
in Dutch Hollow Cemetery. The venerable 
mother survives, being now in her eighty-sec- 
ond year, and her home is with a daughter, 
Mrs. Aldenderfer. 

Charles H. Christy was reared on his 
father's farm and remained at home until he 
was twenty-six years of age, when he married 
and then located where he now lives, purchas- 
ing it on easy terms from his father. The 
latter left all his children well provided for, 
his widow still owning the homestead. Mr. 
Christy made all the improvements here and 
later bought an adjoining farm of 133 acres 
and also owns a farm of eighty acres on Clear 
Creek in Amanda Township. He carries on 
general farming and stock raising, in late years 
having shifted the greater part of the respon- 



sibility to the shoulders of his sturdy sons. He 
is interested in the Farmers and Merchants 
Bank at Amanda and also in the Amanda Tele- 
phone Company. 

On January 17, 1878, Mr. Christy was mar- 
ried to Miss Martha Griffith, who was born in 
Amanda Township, a daughter of Samuel P. 
and Elizabeth (McKinley) Griffith, the former 
of whom was born on the old Griffith home- 
stead north of Amanda, a son of James Griffith, 
a pioneer. Mrs. Christy has two sisters and 
three brothers: Joseph, who lives at Kokomo, 
In(l. ; Simon, who lives two miles south of 
Amanda; J. Harvey, who lives on the Circle- 
ville turnpike road; Mary, who is the widow 
of Daniel Miesse, and lives in Columbus; and 
Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Reber. 
Seven sons and two daughters have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Christy, namely : Joseph Mil- 
ton, who lives on an adjoining farm, married 
Carrie Phillips and has four children — Helen, 
Emmett, Glen and Rose ; Samuel Kirby, who 
lives on his grandmother's farm, married Ida 
Walker, and lias three children — Ivy, Edith 
and Grant ; .Albert, who resides at home ; Al- 
pha, who lives two miles north of Cedar Hill, 
married Blanche Kiger; Orpha, who is a 
teacher in the Amanda High School ; Willard 
and Millard (twins) both of whom live at 
home ; John, who is a teacher ; and Mary, who 
resides at home. Mr. Christy and family be- 
long to the Lutheran church. He is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics and is looked upon as one of 
the representative men of the township. 

ORRIN FRIEND, one of the excellent 
farmers and enterprising and successful stock- 
raisers of Pleasant Township, resides on his 
valuable farm of 100 acres. He belongs to a 
prominent and substantial family of this section 
and was born in Pleasant Township, May 25, 
1857, a son of William and Sarah A. (Peters) 



686 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Friend. His father was born in Pennsylvania 
and his mother in Ohio. WilHam Friend was 
one of the representative men of Pleasant 
Township. His death occurred in 1899 and 
that of his wife one year later. 

Orrin Friend attended school in Pleasant 
Township and at Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasantville, of which he was a trustee for a 
number of years and was president of the 
board. He has given much careful attention 
to raising fine cattle and in the fall of 1903 at 
the Fairfield County Agricultural Society Fair 
held at Lancaster, O., he won several first 
prizes and several second ones by his exhibits 
of Aberdeen-Angus cattle. 

Mr. Friend married Miss Laura S. Hempy, 
who was born in Fairfield County and is a 
daughter of Christopher Hempy, the death of 
the latter occuring in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. 
Friend have had five children, the three living 
being Edwin S., Carrie F. and Mabel D. Mr. 
and Mrs. Friend are members of the Pleasant 
Run Baptist Church as was his late father, and 
is clerk and trustee of the same. Mr. Friend 
is a Republican in politics. 

HENRY F. ANESHENSLEY, general 
farmer, residing on the excellent farm of 105 
acres, situated near Rushville, Fairfield County, 
O., and belonging to his father-in-law, Jacob 
Bauman, is one of the leading citizens of Rich- 
land Township, of which he is a trustee. He 
was born in this county in 1853 ^"*^ i^ ^ ^'^^ 
of Adam and Phebe Aneshensley. 

To the parents of Mr. Aneshensley nine chil- 
dren were born, six of whom survived infancy 
— Henry F., Benjamin, Samuel, Joseph, Adam 
and John. Of these Samuel married Allie 
Mathias and they live at Sugar Grove, O. Jo- 
seph married Mary Court, and they live at Lan- 
caster, O. Adam is a resident of Los Angeles, 
Calif. After the death of his first wife, the 



father married Mary Mathias and five children 
\\ere born to this union, four of whom survive : 
Seymour, who lives at Lancaster, married a 
Miss Kuhn; Homer, who lives in Berne Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, married a Miss Gabel- 
ine ; Harvey, who lives at Lancaster, married a 
Miss Yountz ; and Irvin, who is also a resident 
of Lancaster. 

Henry F. Aneshensley was reared on the 
home farm and obtained his education in the 
district schools. Farming and moderate stock 
raising have engaged his attention since he 
entered into business and through his industry 
and thrift he has become practically independ- 
ent. He has always been actively interested in 
the welfare of his section and enjoys the con- 
fidence of his fellow citizens as is evidenced by 
their electing and reelecting him a trustee of 
the township. He was married in early man- 
hood to Sophia Bauman, daughter of Jacob 
Bauman, and they have two sons : Charles, who 
married Mabel Shafer and has four children — 
Raymond, Helen, Dwight and Loren ; and Ed- 
ward, who resides in Richland Township, mar- 
ried Anna Crist and has one daughter, Ger- 
trude. Mr. Aneshensley and family are mem- 
bers of Grace Lutheran Church and for twenty 
years he has been a trustee of the same. Polit- 
ically he is a Democrat. The family is one 
well known and very much respected in Rich- 
land Township. 

J. T. HUFFORD, M. D., who for forty 
years has been engaged in the practice of med- 
icine, has been a resident of Madison Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., for thirty- four years 
of that time. He was born in Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, May 5, 1844, and 
is a son of Casper and Jeanette (Turner) 
Hufford. 

The father of Dr. Hufford was born in Fair- 
field County, a son of Christian and Mary 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



687 



Magdalena Hufford, early settlers in this sec- 
tion of Ohio. He married Jeanette Turner, 
who was a daughter of James and Susan 
Turner, who were of Scotch extraction. To 
Casper Hufford and wife the following chil- 
dren were born : J. T. ; Christian, who is de- 
ceased; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of 
Rev. J. M. Mills, a minister in the Methodist 
body; and Lafayette, Finely, Joseph, George, 
Elizabeth and Casper. The Huffords have been 
prominent people in the county for many years 
and ha\e been particularly well known in the 
medical profession, Dr. N. D. Hufford, an 
uncle of Dr. J. T. Hufforil having been one of 
the old practitioners. 

J. T. Hufford in his youth attended the vil- 
lage schools at Bremen and the old Academy 
at West Rushville, and also, just after the close 
of the war. a term of select school taught by 
Prof. Parsons. In September, 1861, when in 
his eighteenth year, he enlisted for service in 
the Civil War, entering Co. H, 62nd O. Vol. 
Inf., and served continuously until December 
20, 1865. Returning home on the close of his 
military service, he entered the office of his 
uncle. Dr. N. D. Hufford with whom, and with 
Dr. E. A. Frampton, he studied medicine and 
was subsequently licensed to practice by the 
Fairfield Medical Society, an accredited au- 
thority in that day. Since then Dr. Hufford 
ftas been engaged in practice in Madison Town- 
ship, in which section he is widely known, re- 
spected and beloved. 

Dr. Hufford was married first to Miss Violet 
McClannahan, a daughter of Joseph and Cath- 
erine McClannahan, and to this marriage the 
following children were born : Cora, who is 
the wife of William Fosnaugh; Nettie and 
George, both of whom are deceased; Casper 
Burton ; and Henrietta, deceased, who was the 
wife of Joseph Stebelton. The second mar- 
riage of Dr. Hufford was to Miss Zelda Sisco, 



a daughter of Aaron and Catherine Sisco, and 
three children were born to them: Elizabeth, 
James F. and Leslie. Dr. Hufford and family 
attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is 
a Republican in his political views and fratern- 
ally is identified with the Masons. Although 
not a college graduate. Dr. Hufford has dem- 
onstrated medical and surgical skill on a thou- 
sand occasions. He was trained in the early 
school where lives were saved and suffering al- 
leviated through the care, ability and devotion 
of the physician, entirely without the modern 
aids of antiseptics and the appliances which 
these same physicians and surgeons, through 
their wonderful experiences, have succeeded in 
inventing. He is an honored and valued mem- 
ber of the Fairfield County and the Ohio State 
Medical Societies. 

W. H. KELLER, who is serving in his third 
term as a member of the board of trustees of 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., is 
one of the enterprising farmers of this town- 
ship, in whicli he was born on October 30, 
1872. He is a son of John and Sarah J. (Nis- 
ley) Keller. 

John Keller was born in Fairfield County 
and his wife in Licking County, O. The for- 
mer was a son of Henry Keller, who was born 
in Pennsylvania and came among the early set- 
tlers to Pleasant Township. John Keller fol- 
lowed farming until his death in 1893. He 
was twice married and his children who still 
survive are William H., Edgar H., Myrtle C, 
Charles M.. Lambert L. and Walter L. 

W. H. Keller obtained his education in the 
public schools of Pleasant Township and has 
devoted himself to farming, owning a well cul- 
tivated tract of forty-nine acres. He is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, as was his father, and is serv- 
ing as local superintendent of the Pleasantville 
turnpike road in Pleasant Township. 



688 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Mr. Keller married Miss Anna M. Willis, 
who was born in Hocking Township, Fairfield 
County, a daughter of the late John T. Willis, 
and they have three children : Jacob H., Luther 
B. and Annabelle Marie. Mr. Keller is a mem- 
ber of the U. B. church at Pleasant Hill, which 
he joined at the age of 25 years, while Mrs. 
Keller is a Lutheran. He is identified with the 
Improved Order of Red Men at Thurston, 
O., joining that order at the age of twenty-two 
years. Mr. Keller is a good citizen in every 
sense of the word, taking an interest in all that 
concerns the welfare of his section and setting 
an example of industry and wholesome living. 

W. C. McCANDLISH, whose valuable 
farm of 176 acres, lies in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, one and one-quarter miles north of Bre- 
men, O., was born on his father's farm, four 
miles east of Bremen, in April, 1850, and is a 
son of George V. and Brittanna (Kaufman) 
McCandlish. 

George V. McCandlish was born in 181 2, at 
Baltimore, Md., of Scotch parentage. When 
twenty-two years of age he came to Fairfield 
County, O., and located on the R. J. Black 
farm, east of Bremen. He devoted all his sub- 
sequent life to farming and stock raising and 
died on his place south of Bremen, when he 
was aged sixty-seven years. He married Brit- 
anna Kaufman, who was born at Brownsville, 
Pa., and they had three children: Martha, who 
is deceased ; W. C. ; and John V., who resides 
at Van Wert, O. 

W. C. McCandlish had the usual school ad- 
vantages that boys in his day enjoyed and like 
the larger number of his school-mates, left 
school in order to begin work on the farm. 
Fanning has been his business ever since and 
he has cultivated land in different sections of 
Fairfield County but has never regretted mak- 
ing choice of his present place as a home, which 



he did in March, 1897. He found the property 
greatly in need of improving and the substan- 
tial buildings of all kinds have been placed here 
under his direction. He raises all kinds of 
stock but makes a specialty of horses and be- 
sides having a financial interest in several 
Percherons in the county, he owns three widely 
known imported English horses — Carlton 
Hills, Oliver Cromwell and Willes Will. 

Mr. McCandlish married Miss Sarah Anne 
Stuart, and they have had seven children, 
namely : George, who is deceased ; Wesley, who 
lives south of Bremen, married Jennie Adcock, 
and has two children ; Mary Ann, who married 
John Friezner, and has two children ; Lottie E., 
who married James Kenny, of Detroit, Mich., 
and has one child ; Mertie, who married Otto 
Trout, and has two children; Carl, who is de- 
ceased ; and Bessie, who married J. Siefert, of 
Bremen, and has two children. Mr. McCand- 
lisli and family enjoy what is probably the 
finest residence in the township. They are 
members of the Presbyterian church at Bremen 
and he has served at times as a church trustee. 
In politics he is a Democrat. 

CHARLES D. MARTIN.— Ohio's early 
claim to fame throughout the Union was ow- 
ing to the commanding character of its bar, 
and the Lancaster bar was distinguished as 
being the home of its greatest lawyers. When 
the subject of this review was received into 
its ranks it was then in the full tide and 
splendor of its renown — a most auspicious cir- 
cumstance for the beginning of a career 
which for brilliancy of achievement as well as 
for length of service has been declared excep- 
tional in the annals of the profession. 

Charles D. Martin was born at Mt. Vernon, 
Ohio, August 5th, 1829, and died at Lan- 
caster, Ohio, August 27th, 191 1. His record 
as a practitioner covered an unbroken period 




HOX. CIIAKLKS D. MAKTIN 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



691 



of 6i years. This was inclusive of his two 
years of judicial service as the litigation which 
he had on hand at the time of his appointment 
made it necessary that he appear from time 
to time at the bar. He was the son of Joseph 
Sinton and Susan Armstrong (Thomas) 
Martin. His paternal ancestry was Scotch- 
Irish, and on the maternal side Welsh-Eng- 
lish. The Martin and Thomas families came 
to America in colonial times, the former lo- 
cating in Pennsylvania, and the latter in 
Maryland. In 1806 the paternal grandfather 
located in Kno.x Co., Ohio, wiiere Joseph 
Martin was reared. He married Miss 
Thomas, whose family in the beginning of 
the nineteenth century removed from Ken- 
tucky to Delaware County, Ohio. 

Charles D. Martin received his early educa- 
tion in the schools of his native county, which 
was supplemented by a course at Kenyon 
College, Gambier, Ohio. He was unable to 
continue at college owing to limited means 
when the faculty offered to relieve him of all 
pecuniary responsibility that he might com- 
plete his course to graduation. This offer he 
declined. On invitation of his cousin John 
D. Martin, a ])rominent practitioner at the 
Fairfield Co. bar, he began the study of the 
law at Lancaster in the year 1848. Even af- 
ter he had taken up his residence in Lancaster 
the Gambier faculty requested that he take 
the examinations there that they might award 
him a diploma ; but this he too declined. They 
beheld in him the prospects of the great career 
that was his destiny and were anxious to en- 
roll his name among their graduates. After 
a year and some months study of the law he 
was admitted to the bar in 1850 at the age of 
21, and at once was received into partnership 
with his preceptor which continued until the 
latter retired from the forum a few years 
later. He tlien became associated with Gen. 



Newton Schleigh, a noted jury advocate of 
that day, under the style of Martin and 
Schleigh. Subsequently Hon. John B. Mc- 
Neill became his partner. The firm of Martin 
and McNeill continued with great success for 
more than twenty years. 

Charles D. Martin was elected to the United 
States congress on the democratic ticket in 
the fall of 1858, and took his seat in that 
body the following year when but 29 years of 
age, and was at that time reputed as being 
the youngest man ever chosen to the National 
House of Representatives from this state. He 
represented the nth district then comprising 
the counties of Fairfield, Hocking, Perry, 
Athens, Vinton and Meigs. Mr. Martin's 
campaign for election was celebrated. He 
won distinction in his replies to the world 
renowned orator ex-governor Thomas Cor- 
win who had been imported into the district 
for the sole purpose of bringing about his de- 
feat upon the refusal of his opponent Nelson 
Van Voris to meet him in debate. He became 
a member of the 36th congress where his 
youth and light hair caused him to be called, 
"The White Headed Boy." His contest for 
reelection was also e.xciting and distinguished. 
The republicans were slow in bringing out a 
man against him. The \eteran politician 
Valentine 1'. Horton, a wealthy manufacturer 
who employed a great number of men, was 
called from political retirement and induced 
to make the race against him. Horton de- 
clined Martin's challenge to debate. Corwin 
was again sought but failed to respond. Al- 
though defeated for reelection he more than 
held his party's strength in that memorable 
campaign. At the close of his career in con- 
gress Geo. H. Pendelton and Geo. E. Pugh, 
late United States senators from Ohio, in- 
vited him to become their partner in the prac- 
tice of the law in Cincinnati, but he preferred 



692 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to remain in Lancaster. All who speak of 
Mr. Martin in congress speak in terms of 
praise. President Hayes in a speech delivered 
at Lancaster referred to his able and patriotic 
course in terms of eulogy. We find in "Ohio 
Centennial Celebration," published in 1903, an 
address "Ohio in National House of Repre- 
sentatives" by Gen. Grosvenor, which reads of 
him : "Charles D. Martin with Vallanding- 
ham and Cary A. Trimble were members of 
the 36th congress, all young men full of life, 
vigor and great ability. Vallandingham made 
a career; Trimble served with ability, and it 
has always been regretted that Chas. D. Mar- 
tin who gave assurance of great ability did 
not continue longer in the House of Repre- 
sentatives. He had the conspicuous ability 
which makes leadership possible." Colonel 
William A. Taylor in a work of like char- 
acter speaks of him as being one of the bril- 
liant members and also of the great merits of 
his judicial decisions when he was an Ohio 
judge. His speech on "The Slavery Ques- 
tion" gave him rank as a statesman and im- 
mediate prominence. Its peroration was one 
of patriotism, so eloquently spoken of by one 
of his biographers as being "eternally true 
and eternally beautiful." It is as follows: 
"Gentlemen may speculate about the right of 
secession and indulge in visions of Empire se- 
curely erected over the fragments of the con- 
stitution; but the stubborn truth recurs. This 
incomparable system of government is not 
fragile that it may be broken at pleasure ; nor 
is it iron or adamant that it may be crushed 
by physical power. It is an inviolable trust, 
committed to each passing generation for 
their enjoyment on the sacred condition that 
it shall be transmitted unimpared to their lat- 
est posterity. It is a trust consecrated by the 
most imposing sanctions of history, which pa- 
triotism will execute at every peril." 



Mr, Martin was chosen a member of the 
committee on resolutions at the democratic 
state convention in 1872. In 1880 he was 
made a delegate to the democratic national 
convention that named Gen. Hancock for 
president. The most important event of his 
public career was his appointment as a mem- 
ber of the Supreme Court Commission of 
Ohio, by Gov. Chas. Foster in 1883, for a 
term of two years. The duty of the Commis- 
sion was to assist the Supreme Court in clear- 
ing the docket which was in arrears some 
twelve years. Reluctant were the profession 
and his party to dispense with his eminent serv- 
ices as a judge of the highest court of the 
state, and twice was he the democratic 
nominee for judge of the Supreme Court of 
Ohio, in the years 1885 and '86. For the 
third time — in 1902, he was renominated for 
congress of the i ith district of Ohio. This 
honor he declined. 

Unsuccessful were the efiforts of his legal 
friends to gain for him a place on the federal 
judiciary by reason of his residence. The 
elevation of Howell E. Jackson of the sixth 
judicial circuit, to a seat on the United 
States Supreme bench made vacant a seat 
on that high court, comprising the states of 
Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. 
Mr. Martin was nominated by John Sher- 
man and Calvin S. Br ice, then United States 
Senators from Ohio, and endorsed by lead- 
ing lawyers throughout the judicial district, 
but as there was no judge south of the Ohio 
river southern claims were respected and 
Chief Justice Lurton of Tennessee was 
named by President Cleveland. In 1892 he 
was made a member of The Ohio State Hos- 
pital Board by Gov. McKinley, and served 
for five years. 

Judge Martin was distinguished for his 
oratory and eloquence. His memorable me- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



693 



morials on Thomas Ewing and John S. Bra- 
see, and reception speech on the return of 
Dr. Olds from The American Bastile are es- 
teemed among the most classical of his lit- 
erary efforts. In the last mentioned ad- 
dress, which was delivered at Lancaster be- 
fore an audience of twelve thousand persons 
in 1862, in speaking of the public welcome 
accorded Dr. Olds on his return from his un- 
just incarceration, he said: "It is the spon- 
taneous and generous greeting with which 
a magnanimous people welcome the deliver- 
ance of their friend and representative from 
the odious thraldom of a political Bastile. 
It is, sir, the token and memorial of the fixed 
and unalterable determination of the sover- 
eign people that such insufferable wrongs 
shall not be perpetrated with impunity." 

Charles D. Martin practiced largely in the 
state and federal courts, and upon more 
than one occasion, the Supreme Court of the 
United States has paid high tribute to his 
ability as a lawyer. He was a successful 
counsellor in the great McArthur will case — 
an estate of millions which for many years 
occupied the attention of the courts of Ohio. 
One side of this litigation, came before the 
Supreme Court of the United States. Jus- 
tice Horace Gray delivered the opinion, and 
cited the case Holt versus Lamb, tried 
years prior in our State Supreme Court, 
which in certain particulars was parallel, 
and referred to Mr. Martin's brief in the 
Holt vs. Lamb case as being "learnedly and 
elaborately argued." One of the most im- 
portant trials, in which he appeared with 
the Hon. R. A. Harrison of Columbus, was 
that of Samuel C. Shaffer versus John I. 
Blair the railroad magnate of New Jersey, 
which grew out of a land deal in Kansas 
City, purchased by Mr. Blair ; engineered by 
Mr. Shaffer. At the time of the original suit 



Mr. Blair won the case and it was carried up 
to the Supreme Court. Judge Martin ar- 
gued the cause for Mr. Shaffer and the Su- 
preme Court reversed the decision and or- 
dered a settlement. 

He was married at Lancaster, Ohio, in 
1873, to Miss Anna Mithoff, daughter of the 
late Geo. .\. Mithoff, a banker, who with their 
three children, survives. 

Of the true excellency he attained in the 
law those learned in the profession are best 
able to judge. We will conclude this sketch 
by appending extracts from several of the 
magnificent memorials on his life, delivered 
in the Fairfield County courthouse, Oct. 30, 
191 1, by his brethren at the bar — opinions 
of those most qualified to speak. 

From the memorial adopted by the bar: 

"The living members of the Lancaster 
bar, without intimate personal acquaintance 
with those of their departed brethren who 
adorned and honored it in their day and gen- 
eration by their lives and deeds, do not as- 
sume to institute comparisons among the 
honored dead, but it is significant that, if 
those who now can speak were permitted to 
fix the rank and station of him, to whose 
memory we bow today, with entire unanim- 
ity they would bestow upon him the first 
and foremost place. . . . Although in the 
length and continuity of his professional ac- 
tivities commencing in 1850 and ending only 
with the termination of his life in 191 1, the 
history of the Lancaster bar has no parallel, 
yet his fame and distinction as a lawyer rests 
upon a more permanent and solid foundation 
than the unconscious flight of time. They 
are securely grounded in his professional life 
of 61 years radiant in brilliant achievement, 
a bright, untarnished and spotless page. 

. . His fine manners and splendid cour- 
tesy graced him always, never deserting him 



694 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



in the most animated forensic conflicts, the 
example of which might well become a 
model of professional decorum forever. 
. . . To the Lancaster bar which he so 
long and so conspicuously honored, upon 
which he shed the luster of his illustrious 
genius and the fame of which was so greatly 
exalted by him, the recollection of his char- 
acter, his life and his accomplishments will 
be cherished forever, as a proud and vener- 
ated heritage." 

From remarks of the chairman, Hon. M. 
A. Daugherty: 

It was as a lawyer that he stood distin- 
guished and pre-eminent. Nature endowed 
him with a genius for the law and all the 
powers of his great intellect responded to 
its call and were dedicated to its service. 

His brief in a noted case so completely 
met the approval of the Supreme Court of 
the United States, that the sanction of that 
august tribunal was not confined to the most 
complimentary allusions to it, but was em- 
phasized by the rare distinction of incor- 
porating his argument into its reported 
opinion. 

Hocking H. Hunter, who met and con- 
tested with greatest lawyers of the land, 
both in State and Federal Courts, frequently 
said of Charles D. Martin, that he possessed 
the finest legal mind of any lawyer of his ac- 
quaintance in the United States. 

His understanding of the exact meaning 
of words was only equalled by his power of 
illustration. Once asked to state the dis- 
stinction between talent and genius, he 
promptly answered, "Talent is strong right 
arm ; genius, wings." 

Many lawyers grow gradually and stead- 
ily into the public confidence and win their 
way to success, distinction and fame by long, 
laborious and assiduous toil and struggle. 



but Charles D. Martin was of the few who 
advance and rise in meteoric splendor and 
then maintain a life long supremacy. 

L'pon his first appearance in this legal 
arena, he met and measured legal swords 
with the then giants of the Bar, and he was 
never found a riderless foe. 

He came to this forum at a time when it 
enjoyed a reputation both state and na- 
tional, when it was in the very zenith of its 
glory, when there were upon its rolls names, 
now historic, of celebrated lawyers, who 
were then in the very vigor and prime of all 
their intellectual and professional greatness, 
and from the very beginning he proved him- 
self to be the equal of any of them. 

He was an active participant in all the fa- 
mous causes tried in this tribunal in sixty- 
one years and the history of his triumphs is 
second to none. 

For more than half a century he was the 
oracle of this Bar, his opinions the accepted 
law. 

He outlived and was the last of that gal- 
axy of brilliant lawyers of a former genera- 
tion, whose achievements crown The Lan- 
caster Bar with imperishable glory and un- 
ending renown. 

For more than sixty years he had no su- 
perior at this Bar and he died without a peer 
and without a rival. 

He was both intellectually and morally 
honest; his integrity was perfect. False- 
hood could not stand before him ; it withered 
away and crumbled to dust in his presence 
before his assaults upon it, while the truth 
assumed majestic form and beauty when he 
played upon its chords and touched the 
springs of its life. 

He bore himself always with splendid 
poise and quiet dignity, with all the easy 
grace and conscious strength of humble 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



695 



greatness, with every thought and action 
obedient to the complete dominion of a deH- 
cate and refined sense of honor. 

From remarks of Hon. A. I. Vorys : 

Though a contemporary of all the great 
Lancaster lawyers, we who know him per- 
sonally believe he was the greatest lawyer of 
his time. This estimate is not invidious. It 
does not dim the halos of others living or 
dead. Our greatest pride is our identity 
with the Lancaster Bar whose fame we 
know is due to the greatness of many. But 
the distinguishing genius of Charles D. Mar- 
tin so transcended the ability of all others 
that instinctively we give him place in a rank 
that admits no others. 

His remarkable diction proclaimed his 
views with a precision no other attained. 

As time elapses, the forty-first Ohio State 
will be more and more distinguished among 
the Supreme Court Reports as containing 
the Martin Legal Classics. 

From remarks of Hon. Wm. Davidson: 

It was mentally that he was superlatively 
great. I have known him since the spring of 
1865, and have never met a man in all my 
life who was his equal mentally. 

In an attack upon a great legal question — 
unlike other lawyers — he did not strike at it 
in a half afraid fashion — he swooped down 
upon it like an eagle. He seemed to ap- 
proach a legal proposition from above, in- 
stead of climbing up to it. He dwelt upon 
the upper portions of the legal plateau, 
above the clouds of doubt and uncertainty, 
in which so many — I may say most lawyers, 
live and grope and have their being, and it 
was only while talking to Charles D. Martin 
that they got a glimpse of the azure and the 
sunshine of clearness in which he seemed to 
be at home. 



From a paper by Hon. Geo. E. Martin of 
the Federal bench : 

The period of study at Kenyon, although 
short, was a very fruitful one, for it had con- 
verted the young lad into an educated man. 

The classical studies, so appalling to 
duller minds, were music and romance to 
him. He acquired with ease a most extraor- 
dinary knowledge of literature, and formed 
a style of thought and expression which was 
equal in beauty and strength to its great 
masterpieces. In even the extemporaneous 
addresses of subsequent years could be ob- 
served the rhythm and elegance of classical 
diction. 

He was admitted to the bar at a time when 
Lancaster was a place of relative promi- 
nence in the middle west, before the growth 
of the great manufacturing cities, and when 
the Lancaster bar was one of the foremost 
in the nation. He was immediately ac- 
corded a leading place in that great array of 
lawyers whose names now belong to the his- 
tory of the country. A lawyer of national 
reputation then said of him that he pos- 
sessed the finest instinct for the law that he 
had ever known. At once he stood in the 
foremost rank of his profession with a splen- 
did name and great practice. 

From remarks of Hon. Thomas H. Dol- 
son : 

No man ever listened to Judge Martin 
talk who was not benefited thereby. But it 
was on his feet that he was at his best. 
Then and there it was that you saw and 
heard the orator. He was Ciceronean in 
style. His voice was tenor and full of mu- 
sic. His phrases rhythmic and poetic. And 
I heard his own voice say, "For myself, I 
confess to a fondness for the classic touch." 
Who can beat that? And for myself, I con- 



696 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



fess that he, when speaking, came nearer 
putting the right word in the right place 
than any man I ever heard talk. His rank 
as a lawyer was at the very top, and when 
that is said it is all said. 

From remarks of Hon. John T. Brasee. 

His powers of analysis and of differentia- 
tion were superb. He was equally the 
skilled logician and the polished rhetorican. 
In the conduct of a case he was a strategist 
and kept opposing counsel ever wakeful and 
alert. 

His was a long life of well rounded use- 
fulness and credit; a life crowned with the 
laurels of enduring fame and wreathed in 
the garlands of domestic virtues. 

From a paper by Judge Moses M. 
Granger of Zanesville, Ohio. 

For two full working years in the same 
room I had the most ample opportunity to 
learn Judge Martin's qualities on the bench; 
and I have no doubt about them. His mind 
was emphatically a legal mind: remarkably 
able ; to him the study and solution of legal 
problems was natural and very easy. His 
clear perception and sound reasoning almost 
instantly separated every immaterial word 
or matter from the exact facts that made the 
case ; and his full knowledge of the branches 
of law governing the dispute, enabled him 
without the use of an unnecessary word, to 
plainly, briefly and most satisfactorily, state 
why the case under review should be re- 
versed or affirmed. * * * Xo read one 
of his opinions was always for me an in- 
tellectual pleasure of high order. 

From a paper by Judge John McCauley 
of Tiffin. Ohio. 

He did not seem to depend upon his mem- 
ory of what had been said or done on a given 
question, but he used to say: "What is the 
logic of this"? His knowledge of the Eng- 



lish language was broad and thorough. His 
knowledge of the law was a knowledge of 
its principles and not a load carried in his 
memory. He had little patience with long, 
rambling opinions. He used to say that 
"The less a judge knows about the case he 
decides, the longer it takes him to tell it." 
His skill as a lawyer consisted in the expert 
and logical application of the science. 

C. D. HOSKINS, vice president and super- 
intendent of The Bremen Manufacturing Com- 
pany, of Bremen, O., was born at Middlefield, 
O., August I, 1877, and is a son of E. C. and 
Carrie A. Hoskins, who still reside at Middle- 
field, the father being a retired farmer. They 
have four children: C. D., C. Glenn, Fern and 
Glade E. 

C. D. Hoskins attended the common schools 
in Geauga County, afterward the Mesopotamia 
High School in Trumbull County and later the 
New Lyme Institute in Ashtabula County, sub- 
sequently completing a very liberal education 
in the Boston Commercial College at Cleveland, 
O. Mr. Hoskins then taught stenography and 
typewriting in the New Lyme Institute for a 
time and then became stenographer for the 
Cleveland and Chagrin Falls Electric Railway 
Co., of Cleveland. He was assistant treasurer 
of the Middlefield Banking Company of Mid- 
dlefield for four years and during most of this 
time was also treasurer of the village of Mid- 
dlefield Corporation, and Middlefield Village 
School. Then for five years he was secretary 
and treasurer of The Middlefield Manufactur- 
ing Company, which moved to Cleveland in 
1909. From Cleveland he came to Bremen, 
after buying the interests of the Middlefield 
company and here founded and incorporated 
The Bremen Manufacturing Company of Bre- 
men. Mr. Hoskins is an astute business man 
and in politics is a Progressive Republican. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



697 



At Cleveland, O., Mr. Hoskins was married 
to Miss Georgia Johnson, a graduate of Mid- 
dlefield High School and a student at Lake 
Erie Seminary, at Painesville, O., who was 
born at Middlefield, O., February 22, 1878. 
She is a daughter of Webster O. and Hortense 
Johnson, the father being a retired farmer at 
Middlefield, O. 

CHARLES E. LAMB, a well known resi- 
dent of Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, 
O., where he owns 120 acres of valuable land 
which he devotes to farming and stock raising, 
was born in Richland Township, Fairfield 
County, August 23, 1857, and is a son of Jacob 
and Nancy (Hunter) Lamb. 

Jacob Lamb was born also in Richland 
Township but for many years previous to his 
death, July 18, 1892, he had resided at Lan- 
caster. He was a soldier in the Civil War, 
raising a company for the service in Richland 
Township, and he participated in many of the 
most important battles of the war, including 
the battle of the Wilderness. He married 
Nancy Hunter, who was born in Hocking 
County, O., and of their children three are yet 
living : Charles E. ; Judson H., who is a farmer 
in Alberta, Canada ; and Ida M., who is the 
wife of D. F. Smith, of Lancaster. O. 

Charles E. Lamb was reared mainly at Lan- 
caster, his parents having moved there in his 
boyhood, and there he attended school. He 
has been engaged in farm activities ever since 
and owns land that shows careful tillage. He 
is a Republican in politics and has served as 
a school director in his district. He married 
Miss Josephine Caldwell, who was born in 
Illinois, a daughter of John B. Caldwell, who 
now resides in Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have had two 
children : Durald, who is deceased ; and David 
K., who is a student at Pleasantville. Mr. 



Lamb is an intelligent man and progressive 
fanner and belongs to Pleasantville Grange, 
Patrons of Husbandry. 

CHARLES E. BEERY, whose finely im- 
proved farm of 167 acres, lies four miles south 
of Lithopolis, O., is one of the enterprising and 
progressive agriculturists of Bloom Township, 
where he was born in 1872, a son of Ezra F. 
and Elizabeth (Courtright) Beery. 

Ezra F. Beery was born in Pickaway 
County, O., a member of an old and substantial 
family of this state, and from there came to 
Fairfield County, in 1856, locating on the 
present farm, on which he died. May 14, 1896. 
By his marriage with Elizabeth Courtright, he 
united with a prominent family of Fairfield 
County, and a family of eleven children was 
born to them, namely: David N., Parthenius, 
Albert (deceased), Sallie, George, Samuel, 
John, Charles, Maggie, Annie and Florence, 
all of whom survive except George, Albert and 
Florence. Ezra F. Beery was a man of influ- 
ence in Bloom Township and stood high in the 
church and community. Politically he was a 
Democrat and served as constable and as asses- 
sor, while in his religious faith he was a Luth- 
eran. His widow survives. 

Charles E. Beery was educated in the county 
schools and was graduated from the Lithopolis 
High School, after which, for some fifteen 
years, he taught school, having only four dif- 
ferent schools in all that period. As an educa- 
tor he was well and favorably known all 
through Fairfield County and there are many 
of his students who have moved to other sec- 
tions where they have gone into business and 
reflect credit on the thoroughness of the in- 
struction imparted by Mr. Beery. In 1910, 
after retiring from the teaching field. Mr. 
Beery came to his present farm and has made 
many substantial improvements, including the 



698 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



erection of a handsome modem residence. He 
devotes his attention to general farming, along 
the most approved lines, and to stock raismg, 
keeping only high grade stock. He keeps fully 
abreast with the times as an intelligent agri- 
culturist and is a valued member of the Grange. 
Mr. Beery has always been a stanch Dem- 
ocrat, one from principle. He is a Knight of 
Pythias and a Mason and belongs also to the 
auxiliary of the latter fraternity, the Eastern 
Star. Mr. Beery is unmarried. 

THOMAS M. SPANGLER, county sur- 
veyor of Fairfield County, O., has served in 
this office continuously since 1901 and is num- 
bered with the county's most efficient officials. 
He was in Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County, O., November 29, 1862, and is one of 
a family of eight children born to his parents 
who were Solomon and Mary (Macklin) 
Spangler, who live retired at Lancaster, O. 

Thomas M. Spangler was educated in the 
public schools and at Pleasantville Academy, 
being a graduate of that institution. ■ Later he 
took a special course of study in civil engineer- 
ing in the Ohio State University. In 1887 he 
began to teach school and continued in profes- 
sional work along this line until 1899, in the 
meanwhile perfecting himself in various higher 
branches. These made him eligible when the 
Democratic party sought a skilled and reliable 
man for the position of county surveyor, in 
1901, and approbation has been shown by his 
subsequent re-elections. The work in the sur- 
veyor's office is carefully and accurately carried 
on by Mr. Spangler with the help of one assist- 
ant. He has served also as township assessor. 

Mr. Spangler was married to Miss Carrie M. 
Wilkins, a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Hart) 
Wilkins, of Liberty Township, and they have 
two children : Rodney W. and Dollie M. Mr. 
Spangler and family are members of the Eng- 



lish Lutheran church. He is a prominent Odd 
Fellow, belonging to the lower branch and also 
the Encampment and is also a Knight of 
Pythias, while both he and Mrs. Spangler are 
members of the auxiliary orders of Pythian 
Sisters and the Rebeccas. The attractive family 
residence is situated at No. 244 E. Sixth 
Avenue, Lancaster. 

J. FRANK TAYLOR, a prominent citizen 
of Violet Township, now serving in his second 
term as township trustee, being president of the 
Iward, was born in Franklin County, O., April 
19, 1 85 1, and is a son of James and Rebecca 
A. Taylor. 

James Taylor was also born in Truro Town- 
ship, Franklin County, O., and was a son of 
^Matthew Taylor, who came to Franklin 
County from Truro, Nova Scotia, being one 
of the earliest settlers in what it now Truro 
Township. He was accompanied by four of his 
brothers and they settled together and gave the 
name of their old home to the township which 
was soon after organized. David Taylor, one 
of the brothers, subsequently became a man of 
consequence in that section and was elected to 
the state legislature, and one of his grandsons, 
Hon. Edward Taylor, Jr., is serving in his 
third term as a member of the U. S. Congress. 
James Taylor, father of J. Frank Taylor, spent 
his entire life in his native township, where he 
served in the office of justice of the peace for 
thirty-five years and held other offices of re- 
sponsibility. His wife was a native of Mis- 
souri. They had three sons, one of whom died 
at Vicksburg, during the Civil War, shortly 
after the surrender of that city to the Union 
forces. The two survivors are J. Frank and 
Harvey M., the latter of whom is a resident of 
Columbus, O. 

J. Frank Taylor attended the district schools 
in Truro Township. He learned practical 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



699 



farming on the homestead and has devoted 
himself more or less to agricultural pursuits all 
his life. He owns a valuable farm of i6o 
acres, carries on general farming and is num- 
bered with the successful stock raisers of this 
section. In politics he is a Democrat and is 
active in furthering the interests of his party 
and frequently takes part in party councils. As 
trustee of the township he has proved honest 
and capable and his judgment is valued by the 
other members of the board. 

On December 7, 1876, Mr. Taylor was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma J. Dovel who was born in 
Violet Township, Fairfield County, a daughter 
of Andrew J. Dovel, who formerly was a 
prominent citizen of Violet Township, where 
he died. March 8, 1888. His father, Peter 
Dovel, was a native of Virginia. Mrs. Taylor 
has one sister, who is the wife of Col. A. M. 
Whims, of Violet Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Taylor have two children ; J. A. and Louise D., 
both residing in Violet Township. 

J. A. Taylor is a graduate of the literary 
department of the Ohio Northern University at 
.\da, O., where he also secured his degree in 
law. He is a Democrat in politics and is a 
member of the Board of Education, is town- 
ship clerk and for a number of years has been 
a memljer of the Violet Township Democratic 
Committee. Fraternally he belongs to Violet 
Lodge, Odd Fellows, at Pickerington, while his 
father is identified with the Masons at Rey- 
noldsburg, O. Both father and son are repre- 
sentative men of the township, taking a manly 
and public spirited part in all that tends to its 
progress and development, thereby assisting 
their fellow citizens to the extent of their 
power, and adding to the general welfare of all. 

WILLIAM E. SITTERLEY, a member of 
one of the old families of Fairfield County, O., 
and a well known resident of Bloom Township, 



owns 216 acres of fine land situated three miles 
southeast of Lithopolis. He was born on this 
farm, in 1879, a son of John and Sarah 
(Weist) Sitterley. 

John Sitterley was born in Ross County, O., 
but the greater part of his life was passed in 
Fairfield County, where he followed an agri- 
cultural life and became widely known through 
his business connections. His death occurred 
in Bloom Township, June 15, 191 1. He mar- 
ried Sarah Weist, who was born in Greenfield 
Township, Fairfield County, O., where her 
family had settled early. 

\\'illiam E. Sitterley oljtained his education 
in Fairfield County and afterward taught 
school for about four years prior to taking 
charge of the home farm, which he has owned 
and operated for some years. He carries on 
general farming and stock raising and has rea- 
son to take pride in his productive fields and in 
his herds and stock. The farm buildings, in- 
cluding one of the finest residences in the town- 
ship, were erected by his father, but Mr. Sitter- 
ley has been concerned in keeping up the im- 
provements. 

Mr. Sitterley was married to Miss Alice 
Haas, a daughter of Benjamin Haas, who was 
a leading man in this section for a number of 
years and for a time one of the directors of the 
Fairfield County Infirmary. He was born in 
Pickaway County, O., but later moved to 
Amanda Township, Fairfield County, where he 
died in October, 1910, at the age of seventy- 
two years. He married Louisa Bright and they 
had four children: Leota, Etta, Alice and 
Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Sitterley have two sons, 
John H. and Kermit C. Mr. Sitterley and 
family are members of the Evangelical church. 
He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to 
the Knights of Pythias and also to the local 
Grange. 



700 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



C. C. BRANDT, a prominent farmer and 
stock raiser of Rush Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, O., whose valuable 200-acre farm 
lies in Sections 27 and 33, was born in Perry 
Coimty, O., July i, 1851. His parents were 
Elijah and Barbara (Kagy) Brandt. 

Elijah Brandt was reared in the town of 
Somerset, O., and he was probably born in 
Perry County. He married Barbara Kagy, 
who was born in Pennsylvania and was 
brought to Fairfield County, O., by her father. 
Christian Kagy, when she was four years old. 
Five children were born to Elijah Brandt and 
wife: David, Mary, Martha, Christian and 
Lewis. Mr. Brandt subsequently sold his farm 
in Perry County and moved to Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, living on the farm 
now occupied by David Stewart, and he died at 
the age of thirty-nine years. His widow 
bought a small farm that is now owned by Ira 
Morris, situated west of Bremen, and there her 
death occurred when she was aged eighty-two 
years. She was a member of the Presbyterian 
church and her burial was in Grand View 
Cemetery, in Rush Creek Township. The 
burial of her husband had been at Columbus, 
O., he having died in a hospital in Columbus, 
many years before, as mentioned. 

C. C. Brandt obtained his schooling in Rush 
Creek Township and as soon as he was old 
enough began to be self supporting, working 
by the day and on farms in the neighborhood, 
and having the reputation even then of being a 
reliable and industrious youth. For twelve 
years after he married he resided on rented 
land and then bought a farm of eighty-five 
acres, which he sold at a later date and pur- 
chased his present place. The land was some- 
what run down and had to be enriched and 
carefully tilled and many improvements had to 
be made before Mr. Brandt was satisfied with 
his home. He carries on general farming and 



stock raising, making a specialty of Duroc 
hogs. 

Mr. Brandt was married to M. Ellen West- 
enberger, who was born in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, a daughter of Noah and Mary Westen- 
berger, and the following children have been 
born to them : Charles S. ; Nellie ; Leefe, now 
deceased, who was the wife of John Winters, 
and left three children — Charles, Mary and 
Florence; James, who lives with his family in 
Arkansas; Mary, who is the wife of Vernon 
Voris, lives in Rush Creek Township and has 
one son, Donald ; John and Isaac, both of 
whom are unmarried; Cora, who is the wife of 
W^illiam Scholl, of Hocking County, 0., and 
has one daughter, Esther ; Clarence and Clara, 
both of whom died at the age of four years of 
scarlet fever, neither ever previously having 
been sick; and Martha, Frank and Neil. Mr. 
Brandt and family are members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. He has never been 
anxious for any public office and votes 
independently. 

GEORGE \A'. SITES, a highly respected 
citizen of Pleasant Township, a retired farmer 
and a survivor of the great Civil War, was 
born in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, O., September 17, 1844, and is a son 
of Emanuel and Fannie (Beery) Sites. 

Emanuel Sites came from Pennsylvania to 
Rush Creek Township when eighteen years of 
age, married there and afterward settled on 
land in Pleasant Township, a part of which 
George W. Sites still owns. His death oc- 
curred in 1899 and for many years he had been 
a faithful member of the U. B. church. Of 
his children the following are living: Henry 
C. of Fort Wayne, Ind. ; George W. ; Joseph 
S., a well known attorney at Lancaster; Ed- 
ward F., of Fort Wayne, Ind. ; Charles E., of 
Swayzee, Ind. ; Elizabeth G., wife of Lewis C. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



701 



Miller of Greenville, O. ; Catherine, wife of 
John E. Miller, of Lancaster; and Emma, wife 
of Frank S. Beery, of Pleasant Township, 
Fairfield County. When Emanuel Sites died 
he was a man possessed of large estate, al- 
though he had entered the county with but fifty 
cents in his pocket, having walked the distance 
from York County, Pa. He was a man of 
prudence, forethought and good judgment and 
although throughout his whole life he never 
engaged in any speculating, through his in- 
dustry and thrift became a man of ample 
means, all of wliich was honestly earned. In 
his death Fairfield County lost a worthy man. 

George \\\ Sites was about two years old 
w hen his parents moved to Pleasant Township, 
where he obtained his education in the district 
schools and afterward engaged in farming. In 
January, 1864, he enlisted for service in the 
Civil War, entering Co. A, 17th O. Vol. Inf., 
and was one of the brave soldiers who accom- 
panied General Sherman on that memorable 
march to the sea, and saw service in Alabama, 
Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Kentucky 
and was honorably discharged at Louisville, 
July 16, 1865. He participated in the noted 
battles of Resaca. Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw 
Mountain, siege of Atlanta and in that cam- 
paign was under fire for 120 continuous days. 
He then returned to peaceful pursuits and now 
resides on a well cultivated farm of thirty-five 
acres. He was a school director of District 
No. 6, Pleasant Township, and served on the 
school board for eighteen years. 

Mr. Sites married Miss Almeda C. Graham, 
a daughter of Abraham Graham, of Pleasant 
Township, and they have four children : Lulu 
A., who is the wife of Dr. John Neeley, of 
Paulding County, O. ; Homer F. and George 
C, both of whom live in Pleasant Township; 
and Judson K., who resides in Paulding 
County. Mr. Sites is a Republican in politics. 



He is a member of Ben Butterfield Post, G. A. 
R. at Lancaster. With his family Mr. Sites 
belongs to the U. B. church. 

ALEXANDER E. HUSTON, a well 
known resident of Richland Township, where 
he owns and operates 137 acres of fine land, is 
a veteran of the great Civil War and a sur- 
\ivor of the great battle of the Wilderness. He 
was born in Pickaway County, O., in 1843, 
and is a son of William Huston, who was born 
in Ireland and came to America in 1836. Af- 
ter spending one year in Canada, William 
Huston crossed the border and located in 
Pickaway County, O.. where he married and 
afterward moved to a farm in Richland Town- 
ship, Fairfield County. Of his four children 
but one survives — ^Alexander E., the subject of 
this sketch. 

Alexander E. Huston was reared on his 
father's farm until the age of eighteen years, 
when he enlisted for ser\-ice in the Civil War. 
The colonel of his regiment was B. F. Smith 
and the commanding general was U. S. Grant. 
.\t the battle of Martinsburg, Va., the young 
soldier and the captain of his company were 
both taken prisoner and in a short time were 
sent to Belle Isle and from there to Anderson- 
ville. Mr. Huston rejoined his regiment just 
in time to participate in the battle of the 
Wilderness, and in that great struggle of seven 
days was again captured, with the officers of 
his company and they all were sent to Libby 
Prison, at Richmond. Mr. Huston suffered 
325 days of imprisonment and under such 
terrible conditions that his survival and subse- 
quent usefulness as man and citizen was no less 
than remarkable. He returned to his old home 
and has been engaged in general farming and 
stock raising until the present, residing on his 
beautiful farm on which he placed the improve- 
ments. He owns a second farm, containing 



702 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



sixty-six acres, \\ hich lies in Pleasant township. 
Mr. Huston married Miss Sarah Murphy, a 
daughter of Theodore Murphy and a sister of 
Henry and Alfred Murphy, both of whom re- 
side near Rushville, O. Five children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Huston, namely: 
William, who married Lizzie Black, and lives 
near West Rushville ; Margaret, who is a resi- 
dent of West Rushville ; Theodore, who is de- 
ceased ; Arlie E., who married Ethel Lewis 
and resides at Amanda, O. ; and Arthur, who 
married Catherine Upp, lives on the home 
fann, and assists his father. Mr. Huston and 
sons are Democrats in politics and all are men 
of reliability and good citizenship. The fam- 
ily belong to the Presbyterian church. 

JACOB ERNST, an honored veteran of the 
great Civil War,. who resides in his comfort- 
able home at Stoutsville, 0., where he has two 
and one-half acres of valuable land, was born 
in Berks County, Pa., September 30, 1830, a 
son of Daniel and Sarah (Mohn) Ernst. 

Daniel Ernst was born in Berks County, Pa., 
of German parents, in 1808, and died in 1843. 
He was a farmer all his life and in 1837 came 
with his family to Ohio, locating in Washing- 
ton Township, Pickaway County. He was a 
member of the Lutheran church. He married 
Sarah Mohn, who was born in 1806, in Berks 
County and died in 1873. She belonged to the 
Reformed church. They had five children, 
namely: John; Jacob; Margaret, wife of Jesse 
Brown; Sarah, wife of William Upp; and 
Mary M., wife of M. Van Buren Lothouse. 

Jacob Ernst was seven years old when his 
parents brought him to Ohio and still recalls 
some of the events of the long and unac- 
customed journey. During boyhood he went 
to school in Washington Township when he 
could be spared, the early death of his father 
throwing many responsibilities on his shoul- 



ders. He was a hard worker all through his 
active years, for twenty-five of which he fol- 
lowed threshing and also worked as a farmer 
and stone-cutter. He assisted in the erection 
of many buildings, especially the schoolhouses 
in Clear Creek Townsliip and several dwelling 
houses at Stoutsville. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat and for fifteen years served as a trustee 
of Clear Creek Township and for twelve years 
as a member of the school board. His service 
in the Civil War was a member of Co. I, 159th 
O. Vol. Inf., and in 1864 he was honorably 
discharged and mustered out at Zanesville. 

In 1853 Mr. Ernst was married to Miss 
Catherine Stout, a daughter of Jonathan Stout, 
an old settler in Clear Creek Township. Mrs. 
Ernst died July 10, 1909, and her burial was in 
Maple Hill Cemetery, Clear Creek Township. 
They had two children : Amanda, who is the 
wife of L. F. Crites; and Noah A., who is a 
traveling salesman. Mr. Ernst has been a 
member of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Tarl- 
ton, O., since 1863, and has always been active 
in fraternal work. He is a member of the Re- 
formed church, in which he has served as an 
elder and he helped to build the present church 
edifice at Stoutsville. 

DANIEL FAUBLE, clerk of court, Fair- 
field County, O., and a justly popular public 
official, has been a resident of Hocking Town- 
ship since 1892 and owns a valuable farm of 
sixty acres. He was born August 28, 1859, 
at Sugar Grove, O., and is a son of Christ- 
opher and Catherine E. (Martin) Fauble. 

The parents of Mr. Fauble were born in 
Germany and came from there in the forties. 
Christopher Fauble was a tailor by trade and 
for a number of years carried on a tailoring 
business at Sugar Grove. He became a fore- 
most citizen who, at times, was called on to 
take an important part in township affairs. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



703 



serving on tlie school board and as trustee. 
His death occurred in 1892 in Hocking 
County, to which he moved about 1862, set- 
thng in Good Hope Township. 

Daniel Fauble was reared from the age of 
three years in Hocking County and after at- 
tending the public schools in Good Hope Town- 
ship, became a student in the Fairfield Union 
Academy at Pleasantville, and later came un- 
der the instruction of Prof. Holbrook in his 
Normal School at Lebanon, O. Mr. Fauble 
there prepared himself for teaching school and 
for twenty-three consecutive years continued 
in educational work, but for some years has 
been interested in farming. He settled on his 
present place in Hocking Township, Fairfield 
County, in 1901, where he continues his agri- 
cultural activities and also looks carefully after 
his public duties. 

Mr. Fauble was married first to Miss 
Frances L. Alfred, of Hocking Townsihp, and 
secondly to Miss Elizabeth Shaeffer, of Clear 
Creek Township. Two children w'ere born to 
the second union, Virgil H. T. and Verna L. 
Mr. Fauble has a wide circle of appreciative 
friends and prior to being elected clerk of 
Courts of Fairfield County, in November, 
191 o. had served four years as clerk of Hock- 
ing Township. With his family he belongs to 
the Lutheran church. 

L. V. GUYTON, the mention of whose 
name in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield 
County. O., recalls to the minds of a large ma- 
jority of the residents, one of the most success- 
ful and popular teachers of this section, one 
whose educational efforts covered a long pe- 
riod and brought wide acquaintance through 
this part of Fairfield County, now resides two 
and one-half miles northeast of Bremen, O. 
He is a native of Rush Creek Township, born 



here December 25, 1866, and is a son of Wil- 
liam and Mary Catherine (Lemon) Guyton. 

William Guyton was bom in Ferry County, 
O., a son of Harry Guyton, who was an early 
settler there. He bought 120 acres of land in 
Fairfield County, on which William Guyton 
settled in 1864 and remained during the rest 
of his life, engaging in farming and stock 
raising until his death, when aged fifty-two 
\ears. He married Mary Catherine Lemon, 
who was bom in Perry County and still sur- 
vives, residing on her farm in the northeastern 
part of Rush Creek Township. Seven chil- 
dren were born to them, as follows: Isaac W., 
who is a resident of Michigan; Mrs. Alpha 
Retta Huntwork, who lives in Perry County, 
near Rushville ; L. V. ; Henry and Alice, both 
of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Callie M. Young, 
who lives in Rush Creek Township; and Mrs. 
Annie Maud (Geiger) Garrison, who resides 
at Columbus, O. 

L. V. Guyton easily recalls the old pioneer 
log house in which he was born and the first 
school he ever attended. He was an ambitious 
boy and as he was not satisfied with the rather 
meager opportunities offered by the local 
schools, his parents permitted him to attend the 
High School at Canal Winchester. For some 
years he divided his year between farming in 
the summer time and teaching school in the 
winters. Later he gave the larger part of his 
year to educational work and taught the Purvis 
School, the Fair\-iew School and others in Fair- 
field County and also the Frog Pond School in 
Perry County. After his marriage he resided 
with his father-in-law for one year and then 
bought twenty-five acres of land in Redding 
Township. Perry County, and greatly im- 
proved his property. He continued to teach in 
Perry County l)etween 1892 and 1900. having 
charge of the I'ike, Otterbein, Perry's swamp 



704 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



and Petty (then Pisgah in Perry County) and 
Dead Man Schools. In 1900 he came back to 
Rush Creek Township and located on his pres- 
ent home place of twenty-two acres, which he 
has so improved that it is one of the most at- 
tractive and well kept properties in this whole 
section, and he also owns a second farm of 
thirty acres situated to the east of his present 
home. Mr. Guyton was soon prevailed upon 
to resume teaching and since then has taught 
the Cross Roads School for four years, the 
Beach Hill School for one year, and the Locust 
Grove School for six years, after which he re- 
tired from professional work. He devotes his 
time and attention to his agricultural interests 
and on his second farm has a productive oil 
well. 

Mr. Guyton married Miss Alice Leckron, a 
daughter of Christian Leckron, a native of 
Pennsylvania and an early settler in Fairfield 
County, and they have four children — Maude 
Viola, Ruth Inez, Howard Mervin and Russell 
Wayne. The family attend the United Breth- 
ren church. In politics Mr. Guyton is a Dem- 
ocrat and at present is serving in the office of 
township assessor and for a number of years 
has been quite active in public matters. He is 
secretary of the Farmers' Institute, serving in 
his fourth year, and formerly was president of 
this body. He is a man of progressive ideas 
and convincing personality and during his 
many years of educational work awakened in- 
terest and enthusiasm in his hundreds of 
pupils, many of whom preserve a sincere per- 
sonal friendship for their former faithful and 
interested teacher. 

CHARLES E. BLUE, who has spent al- 
most his entire life on his finely improved farm 
of 200 acres, situated in Amanda Township, 
was born in Walnut Township, Pickaway 
County, O., December 12, 1867, and is a son 



of John Quincy and Louisa (Gallagher) Blue, 
a grandson of Michael Blue, Jr., and a direct 
descendant of Richard Blue. 

Richard and Donald Blue, twin brothers, 
came to America from Scotland in the i6th 
century. They were shipwrecked but both 
were saved in life-boats, these, however, land- 
ing at different points in South Carolina. They 
subsequently found each other and lived for a 
time near Charleston, S. C, when Donald went 
to the then far West and apparently was lost 
sight of. Richard traveled as far north as 
Richmond, Va., or to that site on the James 
River, where he died, survived by a son, John 
Michael Blue, who was the father of Michael 
Blue, Sr., who was the great-grandfather of 
Charles E. Blue of Amanda Township. 
Michael Blue and his wife Mary, moved from 
Virginia to Ohio in 181 2. when the country 
was yet largely inhabited by Indians. They 
located near what is now Bloomingsburg, Fay- 
ette County. For those days he accumulated 
a fortune, all in gold and silver and this, be- 
fore he died, he distributed among his children. 

Michael Blue, Jr., was born in Virginia, 
June 14, 1783, and came with his parents to 
Ohio, later moved from Fayette into Fairfield 
County and located first at Thornville, after- 
ward moving one mile east of Cedar Hill, in 
Amanda Township. After hi^ children were 
grown and married, he moved in with his son, 
John O. A. Blue, where he died May 11, 1863. 
He married Deborah Peters, who was born 
June 23, 1786, a daughter of Tunis and Fannie 
Peters, who lived near Ringgold, in Pickaway 
County. Mrs. Blue died April 28, 1868. They 
had the following children: Tunis P., Fran- 
cinah A., Jonathan W., Mary M., Louisa S., 
Harvey A., Michael, Abigail, Catherine, Ab- 
salom A., Deborah H., John Q. A. and 
William A. 

John Q. A. Blue, father of Charles E. Blue, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



705 



was born on the Cedar Hill turnpike road, in 
Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O., 
March 6, 1829, and was reared here. After 
marriage he bought a place in Pickaway 
County, and later this one, which was well im- 
proved. For many years he engaged largely in 
buying and selling stock. In politics he is a 
Republican and in earlier years held many 
township offices and has settled many estates. 
He is a member of the old-school Baptist 
church at Turkey Run, of which he is a trustee 
and a deacon. He married Louisa Gallagher, 
who was born March 15, 1829, in Amanda 
Township, and died here December 25, 1898, 
and her burial was in the Amanda Cemetery. 
Her grandfather, Thomas Gallagher, secured a 
patent from the Government *for the farm 
which Charles E. Blue now owns, and the plat 
called for 400 acres, the document bearing the 
signature of James Madison, President of the 
United States. This land descended to John 
Gallagher, who sold it to John Q. A. Blue, 
who, in turn sold it to his sons, Arthur and 
Charles E. Blue. John Gallagher moved to 
Illinois, after selling his Ohio farm, and there 
both he and his wife died. 

To John O. A. Blue and wife the following 
children were born : Matilda, who lives at 
home ; Mary, who died aged two years ; George 
W., who is a trustee of Amanda Township and 
a director in the Farmers and Merchants Bank 
of Amanda; Alma, deceased, who was the 
wife of George Waddle; Jonathan W., who 
lives in Missouri ; Ida, who died when aged 
eighteen years ; Jennie, who married George 
Waddle and they live in Fayette County; 
Frank, who died when six years old; Charles 
E. ; Arthur U., who lives on the home place, 
married Flora Chester, of Ross County; Ottie, 
who died at the age of fourteen years ; and 
Atha, who died in infancy. 

Charles E. Blue was two weeks old when his 



parents settled on the old Gallagher farm and 
he has resided here ever since. He attended 
the local schools but has devoted himself al- 
most entirely to the development and improve- 
ment of his farm, which is one of the most 
productive and well kept in this part of the 
county. 

Mr. Blue was married April 22,, 1896, to 
Miss Maggie M. Rowles, who was born in 
Rush Creek Township, near Bremen, Fairfield 
County, O., a daughter of Thompson and Re- 
becca (Holliday) Rowles. The mother of 
Airs. Blue died on Thanksgiving Day, 1908. 
Grandfather William RowFes came from Ire- 
land when a young man. He married Maria 
Stewart and they settled in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, where Thompson Rowles was born July 
28, 1840, and now lives on a small farm in 
Hocking County, O. The parents of Mrs. Blue 
had five children: Edward J., a contractor 
living at "Lancaster, O., who married Anna 
Nixon ; Mrs. Blue ; Bertis A.^ living at Bremen 
who married Anna Seifert; Ernest W., living 
at Lancaster, who married Delia Shuman ; and 
Jennie A., who keeps house for her father. 
Mr. Blue has one son, Frank Corwin, who is a 
graduate of the Amanda High School and at 
present is a student in the Ohio State Uni- 
versity at Columbus, in the class of scientific 
agriculture. Mr. Blue is a Republican in pol- 
itics and for nine years has been a member of 
the school board of Amanda Township. 

LEMUEL HITE, a well known farmer and 
stock raiser of Pleasant Township, residing on 
his well developed farm of 143 acres, was born 
on this farm, November 7, 1856, and is a son 
of Jacob and Jane (Dean) Hite. 

Jacob Hite spent his entire life in Pleasant 
Township, where his death occurred February 
II, 1907. His father was Andrew Hite, who 
was a native of Virginia and came to the farm 



706 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



mentioned above not later than 1806, entering 
a one-half section of land, his patent being 
signed by President Thomas Jefferson. An- 
drew Hite died in 1818, his son Jacob being at 
that time in his second year. A long and use- 
ful life followed. Jacob Hite was a man re- 
spected in every relation of life. He was a 
member and liberal supporter of the Presby- 
terian church and gave political support to the 
Republican party after its formation. He first 
married Catherine Dean, by whom he had a 
son, Allen. He married secondly Jane Dean, 
a sister of his first wife, who was also born in 
Fairfield County, and of their children the fol- 
lowing survive : Emily C, wife of David E. 
Frank, of East Rushville, O. ; Frances J., wife 
of John W. Keller, of Knox County, O. ; 
Emanuel and Lemuel, both of Pleasant Town- 
ship; Mary A. and Sarah A., both deceased. 

Lemuel Hite was reared in Pleasant Town- 
ship and obtained his education in the public 
schools and the Fairfield Union Academy, at 
Pleasantville, after which he turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, in which he has 
continued. On January i, 1895, he was mar- 
ried to Miss May F. Stover, who was born at 
Lancaster, O. She is a highly educated lady, 
completing a course at the Ohio Central Nor- 
mal College, after which she taught school for 
a number of terms in Berne and Pleasant 
Townships. She is a daughter of Henry and 
Ella C. (Seifert) Stover, the former of whom 
was born at Lancaster, O., December 5, 1842, 
a son of John and Margaret Stover, who were 
natives of Germany. Henry Sto\'er owns a 
fann of over 100 acres located near Colfax, in 
Pleasant Township, on which he and his wife 
reside. The latter was born in Fairfield 
County and is a daughter of Hon. Abraham 
Siefert, who was probate judge in Fairfield 
County, a prominent man of his day. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stover had seven children, namely : Mary 



F., wife of Lemuel Hite; Charles A., of Nel- 
son\ille, O. ; George, of Columbus, O. ; Mar- 
garet, wife of Isaiah Shumaker, of Rush Creek 
Township; Birdie, wife of James Fisher, of 
Pleasant Township; William, of Pleasant 
Township, and one deceased. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hite have had two children, Ralph 
and Florence M., the former of whom is de- 
ceased. They are members of the Reformed 
church at Colfax, in which Mr. Hite is an 
elder. He is not active in politics, but is iden- 
tified with the Republican party. These fam- 
ilies ha\e long been numbered with the solid, 
substantial ones of Fairfield County. 

HENRY KING, for many years one of the 
leading agriculturists of Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., a man of sterling 
character, whose spoken word was as binding 
as another's bond, and whose entire life was 
one of family and neighborly kindness, w-as 
born in 1842 on the old homestead farm in 
Fairfield County, a son of John King, and died 
in Rush Creek Township, February 17, 1909. 

Henry King attended the township schools 
in boyhood but began to assist on the home 
farm while he was still young and later made 
farming and stock raising his leading business 
interests. He continued to live at home until 
his marriage and then moved to the Rush 
Creek property on which he lived during the 
remainder of his life. He was careful and 
provident in his business planning and took 
much pride and interest in the development 
and improvement of his place. All the build- 
ings now on the 140-acre farm he erected and 
all the improvements which mark it as a val- 
uable farm, were placed here by him with 
much expense and years of steady toil. Out- 
side his farm, family and church, Mr. King 
had few things that really interested him, for 
he cared little for public affairs and would 




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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



709 



never accept aii\' political office. He was ever 
ready, however, to contribute to charity and 
was liberal in his support of the German Re- 
formed church. He is remembered as a man 
of the highest integrity in every relation of 
life. 

On April 9, 1865, Mr. King was married to 
Miss ]Mary I. Poling, who was born in Hock- 
ing County, O., and five children were born 
to them, namely : Jolin, who operates his farm 
of fifty acres situated southwest of the home- 
stead — married Vinnie Iman; William A., 
who died when aged twenty-two years; Birl, 
who is engaged in operating a farm to the east 
of the homestead — married Maggie Downhour 
and they have one child, Mary Ethel; Clinton, 
who operates the home farm for his mother, 
married Alice Klingler, who died in 1905, the 
mother of two children — Zema, deceased, and 
Noah Lloyd ; and Bessie, who resides at home. 
Mrs. King is a member of the Reformed 
church in which her family has been prominent 
for many years. Her father, who lived to the 
great age of ninety-four years, was one of the 
body of twelve which organized the first 
Methodist Episcopal church in Hocking 
County, in w hich he was a class leader for fifty 
years. 

EUGENE M. CRITES, undertaker, em- 
balmer and funeral director, doing business at 
Stoutsville, O.. is one of the representative 
men of this place and owns considerable ^•al- 
uable real estate here. He was born in Fair- 
field County, May 24, 1867, and is a son of 
.\llen and Mary (Stebelton) Crites. 

Allen Crites was born in Salt Creek Town- 
ship, Pickaway County, O., a son of Levi and 
Anna (Reichelderfer) Crites. He was a pros- 
perous fanner and followed agricultural pur- 
suits throughout his entire life. He died on 
his home farm some years ago and his burial 



was in the Reformed Lutheran churchyard. 
He married Mary Stebelton, who survives and 
lives at Stoutsville. Her parents Joseph and 
Anna Stebelton, were old settlers in Fairfield 
County, O. To .\llen Crites and wife four 
sons were born — Eugene M., William .\llen, 
Edson O. and Frank L. The parents were 
members of the Reformed church. 

Eugene M. Crites after his school days 
were o\er learned the carpenter's trade and 
followed it in connection with painting, for 
some fifteen years, and he does not object to 
a little work in that line, as a change of em- 
ployment, even now. In the meanwhile he 
had been connected for some eight years with 
his uncle, William Baker, who was an under- 
taker, and then decided to go into the business 
for himself, in preparation for the same at- 
tending the Clark Embalming School at 
Zanesville. He opened his establishment at 
Stoutsville on March 26, 1897, and is well 
equipped for any service that may be required 
of him. He owns two funeral cars, an ambu- 
lance and all appurtenances necessary to sat- 
isfactory and dignified funeral directing and 
is frequently called as far as Lancaster and 
Circleville, O. 

In March, 1900, Mr. Crites was married to 
Miss Florence Harden, a daughter of Henry 
and Catherine (Stone) Harden, old residents 
of Stoutsville. Mrs. Crites is the oldest of 
their children, the others being: Lilly and 
May, twins, the former of whom is the wife 
of \\\ A. Crites, and the latter, the widow of 
Dr. Homer Valentine ; and Iva, who is the 
wife of Clarence Barr. Mr. and Mrs. Crites 
I)elong to the Reformed church. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 

S. B. SWOPE, of the Huston & Swope 
Company, operating two grain elevators in the 



710 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



village of Amanda, has been a lifelong resident 
of Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O. 
He was born November 20, 1874, and is a son 
of Felix and Alice (Kraft) Swope. His father 
was born in the same school district in 
Amanda Township, and at present resides in 
Lancaster, O. 

Thomas Swope, grandfather of S. B. 
Swope, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., 
February 19, 1800, and was the youngest son 
of David and Mary (Cole) Swope. David 
Swope was born March 4, 1771, and was the 
owner of a farm in Huntingdon County, Pa., 
three and one-half miles distant from that of 
his wife's father, Thomas Cole, a mountain ly- 
ing between them. The records of Hunting- 
don County show the sale of the Cole farm on 
Ma}' 12, 1801, and that of David Swope on 
May 16, 1801. After disposing of their farms, 
they, with their respective families, moved, in 
May or June of that year, to Fairfield County, 
O. There, in the dense forest, they cleared 
land and built cabins, and, with their neigh- 
bors endured the privations and hardships of 
pioneer life. A convenient cabin was built by 
David Swope, with one window, a door hung 
on wooden hinges fastened with wooden latch 
on the inside and opened on the outside by 
means of a string that was tied to the latch and 
put through a gimlet hole in the door. The In- 
dians regarded those who left the latchstring 
of their cabin doors outside as friendly, but 
those who took in the string were objects of 
suspicion. David Swope set out an apple 
orchard and other fruits and early built a two- 
story, hewed log house, which contained two 
rooms below and two above. Two porches 
graced the building, one on the south and one 
on the north side. He also built a hewed log 
house with a threshing-floor between two com- 
modious mows, wheat in those days being 
threshed by the trampling of horses upon it. 



David Swope, by thrift and industry, ac- 
cumulated sufficient to give each of his chil- 
dren a property. The home farm at his death, 
August 9, 1826, went to his youngest son, 
David Swope, who, not inclining to farm life 
sold it later to his brother, Thomas Swope. 
The wife of David Swope, Sr., was born June 
3, 1779, and survived her husband many years, 
dying February 20, 1857. Thomas Swope 
walled in a lot on the home place where his 
father, a brother and a sister, a niece and the 
oldest and the youngest of his own children 
were buried. In 1909 the last two named were 
removed to the family burying ground in 
Amanda Township Cemetery. 

Soon after his marriage, Thomas Swope 
took possession of his farm which he cleared 
and on which he built a two-story, brick house, 
a large frame barn and other buildings needed 
in the successful operation of his farm. In the 
early days he carried on the business of 
freighting by means of a four or six-horse 
team and wagon, and hauled produce from the 
surrounding country to Baltimore, Md., and 
would there load for the return trip with sup- 
plies for the merchants of the towns near 
home. These trips were often attended with 
great difficulties and dangers, and sometimes 
were without financial rewards. Upon one oc- 
casion, having slaughtered some seventy-five 
hogs and cured the meat, he conveyed it to 
Baltimore, where it was disposed of to mer- 
chants, who failed before paying him. In 
1 819, with a man named Hooker, he built a 
raft and loaded it with produce for New Or- 
leans. The trip down the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers w-as easy, but the return was most dif- 
ficult, and many miles of it were walked along 
the river banks. He died August 13, 1884. 

Thomas Swope was married to Rebecca Le 
Fever, who was born October 10, 1805, and 
died August 15, 1887. She was a daughter of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



711 



Jacob and Rebecca (Bechtel) Le Fever. Her 
father was born March 24, 1766, and died 
November 18, 1844, and her mother was born 
December 4, 1770, and died February 3, 1829. 
Thomas and Rebecca Swope were parents of 
the following children, of whom the oldest and 
youngest died during the lives of the parents. 
David, the eldest, in 1837, fell from a loaded 
wagon and was crushed beneath the wheels. 
Jacob died at Wellsville, Mo., in 1906. ]\Iar- 
garet A. died in .Vpril, 191 1, on the home farm. 
Mary E. is the wife of Robert Sturgeon and 
lives in Kansas. Rebecca died in 1906. 
Thomas J. lives at Reynoldsburg, O. Tilitha 
Jane, now deceased, was the wife of James 
Ingman and lived at Barnes, Kan. Abner R. 
lives at Bloomingburg, Fayette County, O. 
Louisa is the wife of B. F. Ashbrook and lives 
at Milo, O. Samuel lives at Toledo, O. Felix 
is a resident of Lancaster, O. Emma J. was 
the wife of Robert Peters and died in 1872. 

Felix Swope engaged in farming in Amanda 
Township until 1908, since which time he has 
been a resident of Lancaster. He has been a 
stock dealer all his life and still operates along 
that line. He was married July 30, 1872, to 
Alice Kraft, who was born in Circleville, O., 
February 3, 1853, and died July 19, 1906, be- 
ing buried in Amanda Township Cemetery. 
She was a daughter of George H. and Caroline 
(Wilson) Kraft. Her father was two years 
old when he came to this part of Ohio, with his 
parents. He came later to Fairfield County, 
where for nine years he lived in Amanda 
Township. He then moved to Berne Town- 
ship, in March, 1872. living there until 1888, 
when he moved to Ashville, O., where he died 
April 22, 1905. 

Nine children were born to Felix and Alice 
Swope, as follows : Carrie, who is the wife of 
A. P. Click, of Columbus, O. ; Scott Boyd; 



Grace; Chester D., who is an osteopathic physi- 
cian practicing in Washington, D. C; Ethel, 
who is a student in the New Haven Hospital, 
at New Haven, Conn.; Rebecca; Mary Alice, 
who is a student in the Ohio State University; 
Bertha, who died June 4, 1895, aged three 
years; and Maria, who attends the Lancaster 
High School. 

Scott Boyd Swope attended the local schools 
and later pursued a commercial course in Co- 
lumbus. He engaged in farming and also fol- 
lowed auctioneering until he came to Amanda, 
in 1909, and still continues in the latter voca- 
tion. On April i, 1909, he started in the el- 
e\ator business, buying out A. E. Huston. On 
August 9, 1909, he formed a partnership with 
Mr. Huston, they, at that time, purchasing the 
elevator of F. W. Ruff, which they operate in 
connection with the one Mr. Swope already 
owned. They handle grain of all kinds and 
also coal and have a well established business. 

On August 21, 1 90 1, Mr. Swope married 
M. Ivy Dunnick, who was born in Madison 
Township, Pickaway County, O., and is a 
daughter of Henton Monroe and Sarah 
(Brobst) Dunnick, of Walnut Township, 
Pickaway County. Six children have blessed 
this union : Kathleen ; Felix Dunnick ; Fred 
L. ; Alice Louise, born November 26, 1907, 
who died February 24, 1908; Elizabeth, born 
OctoI)er 8, 1909, who died March 14, 191 1; 
and Rebecca, born December 29, 19 10, who 
died March 28, 191 1. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the Masons at Lithopolis, and of the 
Knights of Pythias at Ashville. 

GEORGE HARTMAN, president of the 
Richland Natural Gas and Oil Company, with 
headquarters at Lancaster, O., has been a life- 
long resident of Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County and since 1905 has lived at the pleasant 



712 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



village of Colfax. He was born March 15, 
1866, and is a son of William and Margaret 
(Mertz) Hartman. 

William Hartman was born in Germany and 
in young manhood came to America and with 
his father, William Hartman, settled in Pleas- 
ant Township, Fairfield County, O. Grand- 
father Hartman died at Fort Wayne, Ind. 
William Hartman was a prosperous farmer 
and raised much stock and was numbered with 
the reliable and representative men of Pleas- 
ant Township. He was one of the pillars of 
the Lutheran church and all his life was a 
stanch and conscientious Democrat. He mar- 
ried Margaret Mertz who was also born in 
Germany. 

George Hartman was reared in Pleasant 
Township, where he attended the country 
schools in boyhood and later became a sub- 
stantial farmer and still owns a valuable farm. 
On February i, 1899, he was married to Miss 
Anna M. Hoffman, who was born in Berne 
Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of 
Gottleib Hoffman. When the Richland Nat- 
ural Gas and Oil Company was organized in 
January, 1908, Mr. Hartman was elected presi- 
dent and has served in this office ever since. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are members of the 
Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Lancaster, in 
which he has been a deacon for many years. 
He is a Democrat in his political affiliation. 

SAMUEL CALEB SMITH, whose _\vell 
improved farm of 250 acres, is situated two 
and one-half miles southeast of Lithopolis, O., 
was born in Bloom Township, Fairfield 
County, O., in March, 1851, and is a son of 
Henry Smith and a member of one of the old 
settled families of this county. 

Samuel Caleb Smith obtained his education 
in the district schools and in boyhood was 
trained to some degree for his subsequent life 



as a farmer and stock raiser. The large farm 
of Mr. Smith shows careful cultivation and in- 
telligent management and all its industries are 
carried on by its owner with little assistance. 
His substantial buildings and all the other im- 
provements which add to the appearance as 
well as the value of a property, have been 
placed here by Mr. Smith and he has reason 
to feel proud of his fine estate. 

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lydia A. 
Hoy, and they have one son, William Austin, 
who is associated with his father in farming 
and stock raising. He married Miss Jennie 
Stuckey, a daughter of Nicholas Stuckey, and 
they have two children, Leona and Carl, in 
whose welfare the grandfather is deeply inter- 
ested. Both Mr. Smith and son are Democrats 
in their political sentiments. 

ALEXANDER M. SMITH, superintend- 
ent of the Pickerington and Raynoldsburg 
Turnpike Road, in Fairfield County, O., and a 
prominent citizen of Violet Tow-nship, was 
born in Seneca County, O., July i, 1846, and 
is a son of William and Mary (Seymour) 
Smith. 

The parents of Mr. Smith were natives of 
Franklin County, O. The father was a son of 
William Smith, who came to Ohio from the 
Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, and married 
Mary Tussig, who was born at Basil, Switzer- 
land. William Smith, Jr., was reared near 
Canal Winchester, O., but after marriage 
moved into Seneca County, where he secured a 
tract of uncleared land and partly deevloped it 
before he removed with his family to Fairfield 
County and settled in Violet Township. His 
death occurred at Reynoldsburg, O., May 24, 
1889, when he was in his sixty-sixth year. His 
widow survived until December, 1891, and of 
their children there are three living, namely: 
Alexander M. ; Moses S., residing at Patas- 



AND REPRESENTATR'E CITIZENS 



713 



kala, in Licking Cuunty, O. ; and Jennie, wife 
of Frank Do\el, of Violet Township. 

Alexander M. Smith accompanied his par- 
ents to Fairfield County in 1866, having 
previously attendetl the country schools in 
Seneca County, an academy at Republic, O., 
and later the Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasantville. Subsequently Mr. Smith at- 
tended the Teachers' Institute held at Lan- 
caster, O., for six weeks and still later en- 
tered Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, 
Pa., where he completed the full course in eight 
weeks, making a record for speed and ef- 
ficiency. Prior to settling down to an agri- 
cultural life, Mr. Smith devoted a large part of 
the summer seasons for four years to study 
and taught school during the winters. His 
finely cultivated farm of 204 acres is favor- 
ably situated in Violet Township, and for- 
merly, for a number of years he devoted his at- 
tention, with much success, to the careful 
breeding of Shorthorn and hornless cattle. 
The activities on his farm are carried on along 
modern lines. Mr. Smith being one of the pro- 
gressive agriculturists. At one time he was 
very active in the Grange movement. 

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Rebecca M. 
Roads, who was born in Licking County, O., 
a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Moore) 
Roads, and seven children were born to them, 
as follows : Closson G., who lives in Franklin 
County; Audrea E., who is the wife of .■\. A. 
Tussing, a well known attorney of Browns- 
ville, Ore. ; Wawklyn B.. who is a resident of 
Franklin County; Converse G.. who lives in 
Licking County; Vilura, who is the wife of 
Henry S. Taylor, of Violet Township; Carl 
W., who is a resident of Violet Township; 
and Alpha, who is the wife of George F. 
Ebner, of Franklin County, O. 

Local matters as well as national politics 
have been given intelligent thought and close 



attention by Mr. Smith and for twenty years 
he served on the Board of Education in Violet 
Township, during a large part of the time be- 
ing its president. He has served also as town- 
ship trustee and his advice and concurrence are 
sought in all matters of public moment in this 
part of the county. At one time, in the 
eighties, he was chosen as the candidate of the 
Peoples' party for Congress and the vote 
showed his great personal popularity in the 
district. Mr. Smith is a member of the Primi- 
ti\e Baptist church and belongs to its board of 
deacons. 

GEORGE RUNKLE. an experienced and 
successful farmer, who has devoted all his 
mature life to agricultural pursuits, was born 
in 1850, in his present residence, on the old 
home farm, situated three miles southeast of 
Lithopolis, O., a son of George and Mary 
(Ware) Runkle. 

The parents of Mr. Runkle spent their lives 
in Fairfield County and probably both grand- 
fathers came to this section from Pennsylvania. 
The father, George Runkle, was a farmer and 
also a blacksmith and he owned the above 
mentioned farm in Bloom Township, on which 
he died when aged sixty-six years. He mar- 
ried Mary Ware and seven of their family of 
children grew to man and womanhood. 

George Runkle, named for his father, at- 
tended the district schools in boyhcJbd. He 
afterward assisted his father on the farm and 
on the death of the latter came into possession. 
The property is a valuable one and the resi- 
dence, which was built in 1846, is still comfort- 
able. Mr. Runkle has made improvements, as 
he has considered it advisable, and his farm 
yield and annual output of stock are above the 
average. 

Mr. Runkle was married to Miss Catherine 
Mason, who was reared on the farm of her 



714 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



father, R. H. Mason, in Fairfield County, and 
they have four children : A. H., Henry Austin, 
Samuel V. and Lavancha Alma. The eldest 
son operates a farm near the homestead. He 
was born in 1875, was educated in the common 
schools and is numbered with the enterprising 
and progressive farmers of this township. He 
was married first to Miss Anna Storts and sec- 
ondly to Miss Carrie Cormany. Mr. Runkle 
and sons are Democrats in politics. He be- 
longs to the Grange, with other wide awake 
farmers of this neighborhood, and his methods 
of agricultural work are along modern lines. 
With his family, Mr. Runkle belongs to the 
Reformed church. 

L. ALONZO MILLER, a representative 
citizen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, 0., where he was born, Janaury i, 
1869, belongs to an old family of this county, 
both of his parents having been born here, his 
father, Emanuel Miller being a native of Pleas- 
ant Township, and his mother, Maria (Shaf- 
fer) Miller, of Greenfield Township. 

John Miller, the grandfather, was born in 
Pennsylvania and when he came to Ohio in 
early manhood, established himself in Pleas- 
ant Township and spent the remaining years 
of his life there. Emanuel Miller followed an 
agricultural life, spending the larger part of it 
in Greenfield Township where he was a man 
greatly esteemed. He served as a trustee of 
his township and was a liberal supporter of 
schools and church and was a worthy member 
of the Methodist Episcopal body. His death 
occurred March 12, 1907. Of his children 
there are seven survivors, namely : Jefferson, 
residing at Lancaster; Ambrose, living in 
Greenfield Township ; L. Alonzo, who lives in 
Greenfield Township; Mrs. Lady J. Hone, of 
Fairmount, Ind. ; Clara, wife of Reuben 
Wagner, of Mercer County, O. ; Ida, wife of 



Daniel Goss, and Susan, wife of Adam Wag- 
ner, both residing at Lancaster. 

L. Alonzo Miller attended the public schools 
of Greenfield Township and his business has 
always been along agricultural lines. He owns 
an excellent farm of 112 acres in Greenfield 
Township, which he devotes to general farm- 
ing and stockraising. 

Air. Miller was married March 12, 1890, to 
Miss Clara A. Reef, who was born in Green- 
field Township, a daughter of John Reef, a 
former well known citizen and farmer of this 
section, and they have four children — Viola F., 
Calvin R., Florence and Wayne. Mr. Miller 
and family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church at Dumontville, O., of which he 
is a trustee and liberal supporter. 

A. M. SMITH, who owns a fine fann of 124 
acres, which is situated four miles southeast of 
Lithopolis, O., was born in October, 1854, in 
Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., and is 
a son of John H. and Margaret (Barringer) 
Smith. 

John H. Smith was a native of Fairfield 
County but died in Perry County, O., when 
aged seventy-one years. For some years he 
conducted a shoe store at Lithopolis, but after 
moving to Perry County, was a farmer. He 
was twice married, first to Margaret Barringer 
and secondly to a Miss Sayers. Six children 
were born to the first union, namely : A. M., 
Mary, Emma A., Mrs. Sarah Lane, George, 
and W. H., the last named being a resident of 
Columbus. 

A. M. Smith attended school at Lithopolis 
in his boyhood and afterward became inter- 
ested in farm pursuits and has followed farm- 
ing and stock raising with success, for many 
years. Prior to settling on his present valuable 
farm in Bloom Township, he resided in Pick- 
away County. Here he has made all the im- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



715 



provenients, erecting new buildings and adding 
to his general farm equipments. Mr. Smith 
was married first to Miss Melvina Hickle and 
they had one daughter, Gertrude, who is the 
wife of Da\id Swisher and they have two chil- 
dren, Percy and Dustin. Mr. Smith was again 
married. Miss Mattie E. Bixler, of Ross 
County, becoming his wife, and they have one 
son, William H., who married Edith Hancock, 
and has two children, Alfred and Robert. 

Mr. Smitli has never taken any great interest 
in political campaigns but has never failed to 
perform all the duties of citizenship. He is a 
Republican in his political views. For a num- 
ber of years he has been a member of the fra- 
ternal order of Knights of Pythias. 

WALTER P.. TAYLOR, M. D.. who has 
been engaged in medical practice at Pickering- 
ton, O., since 1902, and is identified with the 
financial interests of the village as secretary of 
the Pickerington Banking Company, is a na- 
tive of this place, born January i, 1877, and is 
a son of Dr. Frank G. and Mary E. (Tussing) 
Taylor. 

Dr. Frank G. Taylor was born in Franklin 
County, O., and during two years of his early 
practice was located at Pickerington. Later he 
moved to Reynoldsburg, where he engaged in 
medical practice for over thirty years. He 
married Mary Tussing, who w-as born in Violet 
Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of 
Rev. George X. Tussing. who was at one time 
a much belo\ed and widely known preacher of 
the Primitive Baptist faith. He was one of 
the early ministers in Violet Township and 
later served a charge at Columbus, O. 

Walter B. Taylor was an infant when his 
parents moved from Pickerington to Reynolds- 
burg and there he was reared and partly edu- 
cated. After graduating from the Reynolds- 
burg High School he attended the Ohio Nor- 



mal University at Ada, taking his degree of 
B. S. He afterward taught the Reynoldsburg 
schools for four years, in the meanwhile doing 
his preliminary medical reading. In 1903 he 
was graduated from the Ohio Medical Uni- 
\ersity at Columbus, after which he was at- 
tached to the Protestant Hospital in that city 
for one year as an interne. With the excep- 
tion of a short period of practice near Find- 
lay, O., Dr. Taylor has been continuously en- 
gaged at Pickerington. where he has built up 
practice and reputation and has thoroughly 
identified himself with the interests and people 
of his native place. 

Dr. Taylor married Miss X. Blanche Wolf, 
a daughter of J. S. Wolf, an influential citizen 
of Reynoldsburg, and they have two sons, 
Kenneth \^^ and X. Emerson. Xominally a 
Democrat, Dr. Taylor assumes the right to 
give political support as his own judgment 
dictates. He takes much interest in further- 
ing the development of Pickerington as a com- 
mercial center and was one of the original 
l)romoters of the Pickerington Bank and is a 
director, stockholder and its secretary. His in- 
terest is awake also to the progress of the town 
along the lines of culture and education and is 
serving as a member of the board of trustees 
of tlie Public Library. Professionally he is 
identified with the Columbus Academy of Med- 
icine, the Fairfield County Medical Society and 
the Ohio State Medical Society, keeping well 
informed concerning all the progress made in 
the science of medicine. Fraternally he is an 
Odd Fellow, and a member of the F & A. 
M. lodge at Reynoldsburg. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Primitive Baptist church at this 
place, being one of the board of deacons. 
Formerly he was a member of the village 
school board and largely through his work and 
interest the town secured its high school. At 
present he is serving as a member of the vil- 



716 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



lage council. It may easily be seen that Dr. 
Taylor is a well known and influential man in 
this part of Fairfield County. 

DAVID SNIDER, who is one of the well 
known agriculturists of Liberty Township. 
Fairfield County, 0., residing on his well im- 
proved farm of 205 acres, which is situated 
three and one-half miles north-west of Basil, 
O., was born here July i, 1848, and is a son of 
John and Lydia (Dumy) Snider. 

John Snider was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, Fairfield County and from there came to 
Liberty Township when a boy and spent the 
remainder of his life here. He was a well 
known man in his day and was an extensive 
farmer, owning 400 acres of land. He married 
Lydia Dumy, who was born in Walnut To\\'n- 
ship, Fairfield County, and they had five chil- 
dred born to them, three of whom survive : 
Martin, who resides on his farm one mile west 
of the old homestead ; David, who resides on 
old homestead; and John R., who lives at 
West Point, Miss. Benjamin and Mary are 
deceased. 

David Snider attended the country schools 
until old enough to assume business responsi- 
bilities and since then has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising on the homestead. 
When this farm came into his possession he 
erected a more modern and convenient resi- 
dence and made numerous other desirable im- 
provements on the place. Mr. Snider married 
Miss Amanda Sutphen, who died in 1886, aged 
thirty-seven years, the mother of four children, 
namely: John Wesley, who died in infanc}'; 
Bertha J., who died when aged 16 months; 
Laura Elletta, who married Henry Detwiler; 
and Orla Warren, who married Blanche Neff. 
Mr. Snider is a member of the Linited Evangel- 
ical church. He belongs to the Grange and has 
frequently taken part in its discussions and en- 



joyed its social features. He casts his vote for 
the candidates of the Democratic party. 

JACOB PICKERING, justice of the peace 
for Violet Township, and a prominent and 
successful farmer and stock raiser, owns 128 
acres of well developed land in this section, 
there being 103 acres in his home farm. He 
was born on this farm, February 25, 1845, and 
is a son of David H. and Mary (Price) Pick- 
ering. 

David H. Pickering was born in the village 
of Pickerington, O., and spent his entire life 
in Violet Township. He was a son of Jacob 
Pickering, who was a native of Rockingham 
County, Va., from which part of the country 
he came in the early days of the organization 
of Fairfield County. In what is now Violet 
Township he purchased land from the parties 
who had entered it from the Government, it 
being then covered with trees and shrubs. A 
part of the present prospering town of Picker- 
ington. was named for a member of this fam- 
ily, it standing on what was then the farm of 
.\braham Pickering. Jacob Pickering sur- 
vived until i860, dying in honored old age. 
He was succeeded in the management of the 
homestead by his son, David H. Pickering, 
who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. 
The latter married Mary Price, who was born 
in Maryland, and of their children the fol- 
lowing are living: Jacob, who bears his grand- 
father's name; Hannah C, who is the wife of 
George Stover, of Reynoldsburg ; Jane, who 
is the wife of James Kinney, of Reynoldsburg; 
and Julia, who is the wife of W^infield S. Har- 
mon, of Violet Township. 

Jacob Pickering grew up on the home farm 
and obtained his education in the local schools. 
He carries on the usual farm industries which 
he has found profitable in this section of Ohio, 
farming, stock raising, fruit growing and 



AND REPRESEXTATRE CITIZENS 



(17 



dairying to a certain extent, his finely culti- 
vated land being exceedingly productive. Pol- 
itically he is a Democrat and has frequently 
been tendered public office by his fellow citi- 
zens, has served two terms as assessor of Violet 
Township and is serving in his eighth term as 
a justice of the peace. 

Mr. Pickering married Miss Lovinna A. Al- 
len, a daughter of the late B. B. Allen, of 
Violet Township, and they had one son, Otha 
Allen. This son is now deceased and is sur- 
vived by his widow, Mrs. Mary (Maxwell) 
Pickering, and two children, Agnes and Jacob. 
Judge Pickering is identified with the Odd Fel- 
lows at Reynoldsburg and belongs to Ridgely 
Encampment, at Columbus. 

JOHN L. ZOLLINGER, who, in partner- 
ship with his sons, owns 450 acres of some of 
the finest land in Walnut Township, is one of 
the representative citizens of this section and a 
man who stands \-ery high in township and 
county in the general regard. He was born 
June 18, 1845, on his grandfather's farm in 
Perry County, O., but was brought to Fairfield 
County when three years old and has lived here 
ever since. He is a son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Linville) Zollinger. 

Jacob Zollinger was born near Somerset, 
Perry County, O.. a son of Lewis Zollinger, 
who came to Ohio from Strasburg, Pa., and 
was of German parentage. He reached Perry 
County while Indians still made their home 
there. He was a man of peace and had no 
trouble with the savages but later found land 
that he liked better along Buckeye Lake in 
Fairfield County, and traded his Perry County 
land for this, moved on it and spent the rest of 
his life there, tenderly cared for by his son 
Jacob, who was the youngest of his children. 
The one daughter, Polly, was the wife of John 
Allen. John, the second born, is long since 



deceased. Lewis Zollinger depended in his 
business affairs on the judgment of his young- 
est son, Jacob. The latter bought his brother's 
and sister's interest in the old farm before the 
death of the father, and accjuired other land, 
at one time owning 2,000 acres in Ohio and 
1500 acres in Iowa. He carried on extensive 
farming and raised cattle, sheep and hogs. He 
was a man of natural shrewdness and was con- 
sidered an unusually good business man. He 
died in 1884 at the age of sixty-six years. He 
married IMargaret Linville, who was born in 
Perry County and died in 1904, aged eighty- 
five years. Her father, Joseph Linville, was a 
shipper of stock and contracted fever while at 
New Orleans disposing of the same and died 
at Cleveland, O., when she was a child. To 
Jacob Zollinger and wife eight children were 
born: Rachel, who is the wife of F. C. King, 
of Newark. O. ; John Lewis; Henry H., who 
lives in Miami County, O. ; Missouri, who is a 
resident of Fairfield County; Arminda, who is 
deceased, was the wife of Albert Kneel, also 
deceased; Louisiana, who was the wife of S. 
\^^ Kenney; Elvira, who is the wife of T. B. 
Lewis, of Columbus, O. ; and William E., who 
lives in Fairfield County. 

John L. Zollinger was so young when the 
family came to Walnut Township that he does 
not recall the long wagon journey but he re- 
members the appearance of the country that 
surrounded his new home and the little log 
schoolhouse in which he learned his first book 
lessons. Later he attended the Fairfield Union 
Academy at Pleasantville and still later the 
Ohio Wesleyan Northern University at Dela- 
ware. His father owned a farm of 320 acres 
in Miami County, and for two years he oper- 
ated it and was then called home to manage his 
father's affairs there. Later, after marriage, 
he settled on a farm he owned adjoining his 
present one and bought the latter and moved 



718 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



onto it in 1880. He still owns both farms — • 
which are contiguous — in partnership with his 
three sons. The north end of the first men- 
tioned farm for 100 rods borders on the lake 
and this part is rented out as a summer resort. 
Mr. Zollinger has made all the fine improve- 
ments on the farm on which he lives, including 
the erection of his handsome 13-room brick 
residence, and substantial farm buildings. As 
above indicated, he has associated his sons with 
him in his enterprises and they all live near and 
have a community of interests. They deal in 
live stock and raise grain. 

Mr. Zollinger was married on February 9, 
1870, to Miss Rebecca H. Trovinger. She has 
practically spent her entire life in Walnut 
Township and is a daughter of Christopher 
Trovinger, who was a well known early set- 
tler in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Zoll- 
inger the following children have been born : 
Charles H., who was accidentally killed by a 
horse when aged eleven years; Elizabeth, who 
is the wife of George Stephens, of Thorn- 
ville, O. ; Mary J., who is the wife of George 
Shelley of Thornville; Eugene T., who died 
at the age of ten years ; Jacob C, who married 
Grace Watson, and lives in Walnut Township ; 
William Milton, who married Mira Zartman; 
Grace, who is the wife of Stanley Hartman, 
of Thurston, O. ; Edith ; Teny, who married 
Minnie Bope ; and Leslie E., who married Dora 
Miller. The entire family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. There are many 
grandchildren and all together the family is a 
large, happy and united one. Mr. Zollinger 
and sons are Republicans. He is identified 
with the Masonic lodge at Millersport. When 
the Millersport Bank was founded he was one 
of the organizers and continues to be a stock- 
holder. 

HENRY KULL, who is a well known and 
highly respected citizen of Fairfield County, 



0., has been successfully engaged in farming 
and stock raising here for some years. He was 
born in Hocking County, 0., and his parents 
were Godfrey and Caroline (Schweikert) 
Kull, who were of German ancestry. Henry 
Kull was the fourth child born in the family of 
six children, namely: Charles, William, 
George, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Frederick 
and Edward. William and Caroline are now 
deceased. 

Henry Kull attended the district schools in 
his native county in boyhood and ever since 
has followed farming. The tract of ninety- 
nine acres on which he lives, belongs to Lucy 
A. Schillinger, from whom he rents, but all 
farm stock and implements and machinery on 
the place belong to Mr. Kull. He is a practical, 
honest, hard-working man and is prospering. 

On November 25, 1886, Mr. Kull was mar- 
ried to Miss Katie Hanaway, the eldest child 
of W. P. and Ellen (Morris) Hanaway. Mrs. 
Kull has one brother, William, and three sis- 
ters — Hannah, Rosa and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kull ha\-e four children, namely Rosa, Iver- 
ine, Frank and Mildred. The family attends 
the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

JOSEPH HENRY GOLDCAMP, hard- 
ware merchant at Lancaster, O., proprietor of 
the Jos. H. Goldcamp & Company, was bom 
at Kelleys Mills, Lawrence County, O., Au- 
gust 12, 1870, and is a son of Ferdinand and 
Mary (Monnig) Goldcamp. 

Ferdinand Goldcamp was born in Lawrence 
County in 1837, his people having located there 
after coming from Baden, Germany. He was 
engaged in farming in Elizabeth Township for 
a number of years and now lives retired at 
fronton, where he owns property. He mar- 
ried Mary Monnig, who was born in Lawrence 
County, November 24, 1839, a daughter of 
Frederick Monnig, who came from Germany 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



719 



to the United States about 1835 and located at 
Hanging Rock, O. In politics Ferdinand 
Goldcamp is a stanch Democrat. He and his 
wife are members of the Roman Catholic 
church. To them the following children were 
born: Frank F., who is a member of the firm 
of Jos. H. Goldcamp & Co., is a hardward 
merchant at Ironton, O. ; Mary, who died at 
the age of twenty-three years, was the wife 
of Frank McCauley, of Ironton ; Josephine, 
who is the wife of H. C. Rudmann, a manu- 
facturer at Ironton; John F., who is in the 
hardware business at Ironton; Albert, who 
died at the age of sixteen years ; Joseph H. ; 
Henry L., who owns and operates the old home 
farm; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Dr. Cor- 
nelius Gallagher, of Ironton ; Frederick, who 
died at the age of four years ; and Flora, who 
is the wife of Fred Derford, of Ironton. 

Joseph H. Goldcamp attended both the pub- 
lic and parochial schools and later Lebanon 
College, after which he returned to the home 
farm and assisted his father until he was 
twenty-five years of age. He then was in the 
employ at Ironton for over five years of Gold- 
camp Bros. & Co., on January 24, 1901, com- 
ing to Lancaster, where he purchased the stock 
of W. E. Shell on West Main Street. He 
moved the stock to Nos. 107-109 North Co- 
lumbus Street, on April i, 1903, securing his 
present quarters. Since 1904 the business has 
been conducted under the firm name of Jos. H. 
Goldcamp & Company, composed of J. H., and 
Frank F. Goldcamp, and James .\. McCauley. 
The aim of this firm has been to establish con- 
fidence and thus only first class goods are han- 
dled, the stock being unusually complete, in- 
cluding edged tools, fann implements and all 
kinds of vehicles. The members of this firm 
are practical and experienced men in their line 
and personally are representative and reliable 
citizens. 

41 



On April 26, 1897, Mr. Goldcamp was mar- 
ried to Miss Alice A. Kramer, a daughter of 
Frederick and Elizabeth (Hudson) Kramer, 
of Hanging Rock, Lawrence County, O., and 
they have two sons : Lawrence, who was born 
July 15, 1899, 2nd Cyril, who was born May 5, 
1908. Mr. and Mrs. Goldcamp are members 
of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In 
politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he is 
identified with the Knights of Columbus, the 
Knights of St. John and the Elks. The family 
resides at No. 235 South High Street, Lan- 
caster. 

HON. HENRY CLAY DRINKLE, post- 
master at Lancaster, O., of which place he has 
long been a prominent citizen, was born at 
Lancaster, February 28, 1845, a son of Peter 
G. and Nancy (Miller) Drinkle and one of a 
family of three children born to his parents. 
His father, who was a merchant at Lancaster 
during his active years, died in 1851. 

Henry Clay Drinkle was educated in the 
public schools of Lancaster, after which he 
learned the printer's trade, comjjleting his ap- 
prenticeship in the office of the Lancaster 
Gazette, which was a paper established in 1826, 
and of which he was twice part owner. After 
being employed in this office for six years, he 
turned his attention to the study of law, his 
preceptor being tlie Hon. John S. Brasee, and 
he was admitted to the bar in September, 1869. 
He continued in practice until he was ap- 
pointed postmaster, in September, 1910, under 
the administration oi President Taft, during 
this period serving eight consecutive years as 
city solicitor and filling out an unexpired term 
as judge of the Probate Court. On many oc- 
casions he has been the recipient of testimo- 
nials indicating the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow citizens, and after serving as mayor 
for one term in 1883, was urged to accept an- 



720 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



other term, but declined the honor. From 
January, 1866, to December, 1867, he served 
as one of the sergeant-at-arms of the Ohio 
State Senate. He has long been a very impor- 
tant factor in Republican politics in this sec- 
tion of the state, distinctively as a Foraker fac- 
tional adherent. 

Judge Drinkle was married to Miss Kate 
Vorys, a daughter of Isaiah Vorys, and they 
have three children — Charles H., Mary C. and 
Alice V. The family belong to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Their attractive residence 
is situated at No. 310 S. Broad Street, Lan- 
caster. Judge Drinkle is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Order; also an officer of the Supreme 
Ruling of the Fraternal Mystic Circle, an in- 
surance company under the assessment plan, 
of which he was a charter member in Decem- 
ber twenty-four years ago. 

(Since the above was printed, Judge Drin- 
kle passed away while undergoing an opera- 
tion in Columbus Hospital. His burial took 
place at Lancaster, April 7, 1912). 

MATHIAS J. DILGER, commander of 
Ben Butterfield Post, G. A. R., No. -j-j, at Lan- 
caster, O., is an honored veteran of the Civil 
War who has been a continuous resident of 
Pleasant Township, where he owns 30 acres, 
since 1865 and for years has been one of the 
representative citizens. He was born in Rich- 
land Township, Fairfield County, November 
26, 1840, and is a son of John M. and Zillah 
(Mills) Dilger. 

John M. Dilger, born in Baden-Baden, Ger- 
many, came to America in 181 7 and located in 
Lancaster County, Pa., where he was married 
to Zillah Mills and after the birth of one child 
they came to Fairfield County, O., making the 
long journey with a one-horse wagon, and ar- 
riving in Richland Township with his house- 
hold effects and ten cents in money. Pioneer 
experiences fell to the lot of this family as 



to that of their neighbors and while each year 
showed improvement in their affairs, it was 
a long time before they felt justified in taking 
life easy . In 1848 John M. Dilger and family 
moved to Pleasant Township, locating near 
Colfax, where he and his wife survived into 
extreme old age, his death occurring after his 
ninetieth birthday and that of his wife when 
almost ninety-five. During his active years he 
worked at the shoemaking trade. His wife was 
a member of the Society of Friends. 

Mathias J. Dilger was eight years old when 
the family moved into Pleasant Township and 
there he grew to manhood, attending school at 
Colfax and enjoying one term in the Rushville 
High School. When the Civil War broke out, 
Mr. Dilger was one of the first patriots to 
respond to the call of the President of the 
United States for soldiers. He enlisted in 
April, 1861, in Co. A, ist O. Vol. Inf., for 
three months and within this period took part 
in the battle of Bull Run. On August 15, 
1 861, Mr. Dilger reenlisted in the same regi- 
ment, which was attached to the Army of the 
Tennessee and later to the Army of the Cum- 
berland, and he participated in many of the 
most serious battles of the whole war, includ- 
ing Shiloh, Corinth, Murphysboro, Chicka- 
mauga. Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge 
and Siege of Atlanta, exclusive of innumer- 
able skirmishes. He was twice seriously 
wounded, once at Missionary Ridge and later 
at Atlanta ; in the latter case a bullet pene- 
trated his lung. He was stationed not twenty 
feet at this time from the brave General Mc- 
Pherson, who there met his death. In Au- 
gust, 1864, he was a second time honorably 
discharged and in September following ap- 
plied for a third enlistment and was trans- 
ported to Nashville, Tenn, but was refused 
active service on account of previous injuries. 
He was given a position, however, in the quar- 
termaster's department and remained until the 




HON. ELI.IAH F. HoLLAXl) 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



723 



close of the war, and when Nashville was at- 
tacked by the enemy he was given charge of 
a company on the fortifications and did yeoman 
service in defense. For the third time he was 
honorably discharged, in April, 1865, when he 
returned to Pleasant Township, where he has 
lived ever since. During nine years of this 
time he was a resident of Pleasantville and 
was postmaster there. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and in 1900 he was census enum- 
erator of Pleasant Township. He has followed 
blacksmithing as a business. 

Mr. Dilger was married October 19, 1865, 
to Miss Anna M. Cuqua, who was born in 
Lancaster County, Pa., a daughter of William 
and Annie (Dennis) Cuqua. The father of 
Mrs. Dilger was born in Germany and was a 
soldier in the Mexican War, as was also a 
brother of Mr. Dilger. Nine children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Dilger, namelv : William 
S., of Pleasant Township; Ernest C, principal 
of the High School at Carroll, O.; Letha E. 
and Thomas H., both of Pleasant Township; 
Asa C, an expert acountant in the Ohio State 
Insurance Department at Columbus; Owen M., 
of Clarksburg, W. Va. ; and Lena M., Ionia B. 
and James A., all three being now deceased. 
The last named died February 15, 1898, while 
in camp at Anniston, Ala., from an attack of 
typhoid fever. Mr. Dilger and family are 
members of the Reformed church at Colfax, 
and he has been an elder for forty years. 
Since 1866 he has been a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and still takes a very active 
interest in it. 

HON. ELIJAH F. HOLLAND, probate 
judge of Fairfield county, Ohio, now serving 
in his second ofticial term, has been a member 
of the Ohio bar for almost forty years. He 
was born at Baltimore, Ohio, November 22, 



1845, being one of the nine children of John N. 
and Lydia (Benadum) Holland. The father 
was a carpenter who followed his trade at a 
time when conditions were harder than at 
present, but who through his industry suc- 
ceeded in providing well for his family. His 
death occurred in January, 1905. 

Judge Holland obtained his early educa- 
tion in the district schools, making such good 
use of his opportunities that later, after his re- 
turn from his service in the Civil war, he 
proved an acceptable and successful teacher at 
Baltimore and in other schools in this county. 
In February, 1864, he enlisted at Millersport, 
Ohio, in Company K, Seventeenth Regiment, 
O. V. I., and remained in the service until he 
was honorably discharged at the close of the 
war, July 16, 1865. While engaged in teach- 
ing he began the study of law, which he con- 
tinued under the preceptorship of Judge Bra- 
see, and was admitted to the bar of Fairfield 
county in 1872, and was an active member of 
the same until his election as probate judge. 
For seventeen years he served as justice of the 
peace in his native township of Liberty. 

In 1900 he came to Lancaster and in 1905 
was elected to the bench, as a Democrat, first 
by a plurality of 1,265 votes over his opponent, 
and was re-elected in 1908 by a majority of 
2.024 votes. Judge Holland has proved able, 
wise and dignified as judge of the Probate 
Court. 

Judge Holland married Miss Mary A. Jones, 
a daugliter of James Jones, and they have one 
child, Cora, who is the wife of Van A. Snyder, 
a prominent attorney at Lancaster, Ohio. 
Judge Holland and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. They occupy a 
handsome residence, situated on Fifth avenue, 
Lancaster. Judge Holland is identified frater- 
nally with the Masonic order. 



724 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



MILTON D. WILDERMUTH, a repre- 
sentative business citizen of Pleasantville and 
senior member of the firm of Wildermuth & 
Keller, has been a resident of Fairfield County 
for the past twenty years. He was born in 
Franklin County, O., near Columbus, June i6, 
i860, and is a son of William and Ruth (AU- 
gire) Wildermuth. 

The Wildermuths probably came from Ger- 
many to Pennsylvania and from that state, 
Daniel Wildermuth, grandfather of Milton D., 
came to Ohio among the pioneers, locating in 
the wilderness of Greenfield Township, Fair- 
field County, in 1804. His first house was 
constructed of logs, but before his death, when 
aged eighty-two years, he was residing in one 
of the finest residences in the township. His 
widow survived him and her death occurred 
in her eighty-first year, at the home of her eld- 
est son, William Wildermuth. The latter was 
born in 1808, in the log house above men- 
tioned, and grew to manhood a strong and 
vigorous youth, and his strength was main- 
tained into old age. When twenty-one years 
old he moved to Franklin County, O.. where 
he acquired a large farm yet uncleared, which 
he developed. He was married twice, first to 
a Miss Feeman, who died after the birth of 
four children. Two of these died in infancy 
and the two surviving are John and Catherine, 
the latter being the widow of Isaac Fry. The 
second marriage was with Ruth AUgire, who 
died in 1902, having survived her husband 
since 1884. She w-as the mother of nineteen 
children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity. 
There w^re triplets at one birth and on two 
occasions twins were born. The family is 
represented in different parts of Ohio and all 
are substantial and worthy people. 

Milton D. Wildermuth spent his boyhood on 
the home farm. He attended the local schools 
and later Capitol University and the college 
at Ada, O. After his marriage he purchased 



a farm in Franklin County, on the Big Walnut 
Creek, which he sold two years later and then 
came to Pleasantville, where he entered into 
the hardware business with his father-in-law, 
Jesse Brooke. Seven years later J. A. Keller 
bought Mr. Brooke's interest and since then 
the firm style has been Wildermuth & Keller. 
They do a large business at Pleasantville and 
deal in hardware, groceries, agricultural im- 
plements, fence wire and lime and cement. 
Additionally Mr. Wildermuth and partner are 
interested in oil and gas production at Bremen 
and Straightsville. He is president of three 
oil companies and was one of the organizers of 
the Crystal Glass Company at Pleasantville. 

Mr. Wildermuth was married first to Miss 
Fannie C. Brooke, who died March 13, 1903, 
leaving five children — Ray, Ethel, Ross, Wil- 
liam and Ruth. In October, 1907, Mr. Wild- 
ermuth was married to Mayme McLaughlin 
and to the second union two sons have been 
born — Edward and Frank. Politically he is a 
Democrat and is serving as a member of the 
town council. He is one of the elders in the 
Lutheran church at Pleasantville. 

BENJAMIN F. ELDER, whose well cul- 
tivated farm of eighty-five acres is situated in 
Pleasant Township, Section No. i, Fairfield 
County, O., is a leading agriculturist of this 
locality. He was born in Pleasant Township, 
September 10, i860, and is a son of Hamilton 
and Elizabeth (Palmer) Elder. 

Hamilton Elder was born in Perry County, 
O., a son of William Elder, who came to that 
county from Baltimore, Md., accompanied by 
two brothers, and settled in Reading Town- 
ship at so early a day that they found many 
Indians still in the neighborhood. The family 
has always been an agricultural one and Ham- 
ilton Elder followed farm pursuits throughout 
all his active life. He now lives retired, being 
in his seventy-seventh year, and residing one 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



725 



mile west of New Salem, O. In youth he 
united with the Methodist Episcopal church 
and has ever since been a member in good 
standing. He married Elizabeth Palmer, who 
was born in Fairfield County, and of their 
family of children, the following survive : 
Benjamin F., of Pleasant Township; Mar- 
garet A., of Walnut Township; Sarah A., 
widow of James M. Smith, of Richland Town- 
ship ; Charles E., of Mercer County, O. ; Ed- 
ward C, a school teacher near Stuttgart, Ark. ; 
Tunis I., of Mercer County, O. ; Corinna E., 
wife of Robert Love, of Perry County, O. ; 
Homer S., of Walnut Township; Milton S., 
of Licking County, O. ; Mary J., wife of Lee 
Warner, of Perry County; and Roy P., a 
physician, at Columbus, O. 

Benjamin F. Elder attended school in Pleas- 
ant and Richland Townships and the Fairfield 
Union Academy at Pleasantville, afterward 
teaching eleven terms in the following six 
years, in the meanwhile and since, also en- 
gaigng in farming. He located on his present 
place in the fall of 1888. Mr. Elder has been 
a public spirited citizen of his township and 
has served on its school board. 

In October, 1888, Mr. Elder was married 
to Miss Martha E. Friend, a former well 
known resident of Pleasant Township, and 
three children have been born to them : 
Carrie F., a graduate of Pleasantville 
High School, who was teacher one term, and 
who is the wife of Clyde M. Bright, of Walnut 
Township: Sarah E., wife of Arthur Berry of 
Licking County, wdio is a graduate of the 
Pleasantville High School; and William, who 
gives his father assistance on the farm. Mr. 
Elder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at New Salem, in which he is serving 
as steward and class leader. He belongs to 
Pleasant\'ille Grange, Patrons of Husbandry 
and formerly was chairman of the Farmers' 



Institute, which had headquarters at Pleasant- 
ville. He is a man of strong temperance prin- 
ciples and is identified with the Prohibition 
party. 

DAVID HEN RICKS, a retired farmer 
and higlily respected citizen of Rush Creek 
Township, Fairfield County, O., still resides 
on his valuable farm of seventy-five acres, 
lying east of Bremen, O. He was born three 
miles southwest of that town, December 13, 
1842. His father was Joseph Henricks, who 
was a son of George Henricks. 

Grandfather George Henricks came to Ohio 
from Virginia and settled in Licking County 
and there, on Jonathan Creek, his son Joseph 
was born. He was probably reared there but 
married in Fairfield County and resided here 
until 1 850, when he moved to Hocking County 
later back to Fairfield and then to Illinois, • 
where he died in 1881, at the age of sixty- 
two years. For a number of years he was an ' 
elder and minister in the Rush Creek Dunkard 
Church. He voted with the Democratic party 
but it was against his principles to hold any 
political office. He married Elizabeth Seitz, 
who was born in Fairfield County, a daughter 
of Daniel Seitz and a sister of Enoch Seitz, 
who was noted as a mathematician. They 
were the parents of seven children, five of 
whom survive. Her death occurred in 1864, 
when she was aged forty-six years. 

David Henricks was eight years old when 
his parents moved to Hocking County and he 
went to school there and lived in that county 
until he married, when he returned to Fair- 
field County and for nine years afterward lived 
on a farm one mile south of Bremen. He then 
moved to his present farm — one that was en- 
tered from the Government by the same man 
who laid out Bremen. After Mr. Henricks 
came here he made many improvements, erect- 



726 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ing the buildings now standing and introducing 
many modern methods of agriculture. He has 
ten oil wells on his place. 

Mr. Henricks married Miss Sarah A. Mer- 
icle, who was born one mile south of Bremen, 
a daughter of John and Margaret (Harmond) 
Mericle. John Mericle spent his life on the 
farm near Bremen, in section 28, Rush Creek 
Township, which is now owned by his son 
Frederick. His death occurred in his ninetieth 
year, on April 21, 1909. He was a member 
of the Church of the Brethren. As above 
indicated, he married Margaret Harmond, a 
daughter of Frederick Harmond. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Henricks three children were born : 
Charles C, who died at the age of fifteen 
years ; Clara Elizabeth, who died at the age of 
thirteen years; and Mary Jane, who is the 
wife of Daniel Beery. Mr. and Mrs. Beery 
live on this farm and they have two children, 
Carl David and John Clay. Mr. and Mrs. 
Henricks are members of the Church of the 
Brethren in which he is a deacon. 

WILLIAM W. ROWLES, a representative 
farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant Township, 
where he owns 245 acres of valuable land, is 
a native of Ohio, born February 18, 1865, in 
Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, and 
is a son of William and Rebecca (Larmier) 
Rowles. 

William Rowles was born in Fairfield 
County, a son of William Rowles, who was one 
of the early settlers of Rush Creek Township 
and lived and died at Bremen. The father of 
William W. Rowles resided in Rush Creek 
Township imtil 1871, when he moved to Pleas- 
ant Township and for many years carried on 
farming here, his death occuring February 2, 
1904. He was a Republican in politics, and for 
many years was a member of the Presbyterian 
church. He married Rebecca Larimer, who 
was born in Perry County, C, and now resides 



at Pleasantville, being in her seventy-second 
year. Of their ten children six survive : Jesse 
D., of Walnut Township; William W., Frank 
L. and Thomas Isaac, all of Pleasant Town- 
ship; Mary E., wife of Roy T. McNaghten, 
who was in the government employ at St. 
Louis, Mo., but is now in the lumber business 
at Pleasantville, this county; and Fannie W., 
who is the wife of Harry I. Turner, of 
Pleasantville. 

William W. Rowles was six years old when 
the family moved from Rush Creek to Pleas- 
ant Township, where he was reared to man- 
hood, attending the public schools and Fairfield 
Union Academy at Pleasantville. His main 
business interests have always been of an 
agricultural nature and his farm is one of the 
most productive in Pleasant Township. Mr. 
Rowles was married first to Miss Lena E. Mil- 
ler, who was born in Morgan County, O., a 
daughter of Henry and Mary Miller. Mrs. 
Miller survives and lives in Pleasant Township. 
At death Mrs. Rowles left one son, Eldridge 
M., who lives in this township. For his second 
wife, William W. Rowles married Miss Eliza- 
beth M. Winter, who was born in Berne Town- 
ship, a daughter of Ferdinand and Mary C. 
(Welker) Winter, the latter of whom is de- 
ceased. The father of Mrs. Rowles lives near 
Royalton, O. Mr. and Mrs. Rowles have four 
children — Anna F., Clarence W., Edith C. and 
Mabel. The family belong to the Presbyterian 
church at Rushville. In politics Mr. Rowles is 
a Republican. The venerable father of Mrs. 
Rowles was born in Germany but has lived in 
America since boyhood, in early manhood being 
a school teacher in Berne Township, Fairfield 
County. He is a member of the Lutheran 
church. 

FREDERICK MERICLE, whose valuable 
farm of 224 acres, situated near Bremen, O., 
in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, has 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



727 



been in the family for four generations, carries 
on general farming and stock raising and is one 
of the substantial men of this section. He was 
born on this farm, October 20, 1863, a son of 
John and Margaret (Harman) Mericle. 

John Mericle was also born on this farm 
which his grandfather had entered in 1801 and 
it has never left the family. He followed 
farming here during all his active life, his 
death occurring in his eighty-ninth year. He 
married Margaret Harman and they had five 
children : Sarah, who married David Hen- 
dricks, of Bremen, O. ; Lydia, who married 
Milton Frestow, and died in 1875 ; Hylas, who 
married Hattie Hilliard and died December 3, 
191 1, in Nodaway County, Mo.; Frederick, 
subject of this sketch; and Charles, who is 
deceased. 

Frederick Mericle obtained his education in 
the district schools. Farming and stock rais- 
ing have been his occupations and he is num- 
bered with the successful agriculturists of 
Rush Creek township. Mr. Mericle married 
Miss Clara Dotson, who died January i, 1909. 
Six children were born to them, and three are 
now living, namely: Walter, who married 
Grace Everett, and has two children — 
Margaret and Catherine; May, who married 
John Ruff, of Lancaster, O., and has two chil- 
dren — Frederick and Edna; and Carl, who as- 
sists his father on the farm. In politics Mr. 
Mericle is a Republican. 

EDWARD W. KULL, a substantial farmer 
and representative citizen of Greenfield Town- 
ship, of which he is a trustee, has spent the 
larger part of his life in Fairfield County, O. 
He was born in Berne Township, January 22, 
1863, a son of Lewis and Mary (Shull) Kull. 

Lewis Kull was born in Berne Township, 
Fairfield County, a son of Frederick Kull, who 
was born in Germany and who, when he emi- 



O.. but later moved to Fairfield County. Lewis 
Kull married Mary Shull, who was born in 
Hocking County. They reside in Berne Town- 
ship, Mr. Kull being now in his seventy-eighth 
year. Of their children the following survive: 
Caroline, who is the wife of Frederick Krile, 
of Shelby County, 111. ; Louise, who is the wife 
of George Ruff; Minnie, who is the wife of 
John Reel, of Shelby County, 111. ; Edward W., 
subject of this sketch ; Sarah, who is the wife 
of Prof. William Walter, a well known educa- 
tor of Fairfield County ; Sophia, who is the 
wife of Ferdinand Pfeiffer, of Shelby County, 
III; Charles F., who lives at Urichsville ; O. ; 
George, who resides in Berne Township; and 
Clara, who is the wife of Webster Deeds, of 
Berne Township, Fairfield County. 

Edward W. Kull grew to man's estate in 
Berne Township and attended the public 
schools. From youth up he has been inter- 
ested and engaged in agricultural pursuits and 
owns two valuable farms of 100 acres each, 
both being in Greenfield Township. In 1889 
he moved to Shelby County, 111., where he lived 
for ten years and then returned to Fairfield 
County and ever since has been a resident of 
Greenfield Township. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and while in Illinois, served for six years 
as treasurer of his township and also as town- 
ship commissioner, having been recognized as 
a reliable and reputable citizen wherever he 
has lived. 

On December 20, 1883, Mr. Kull was mar- 
ried to Miss Emma E. Weber, who was bom 
in Hocking County, O., a daughter of Andrew 
and Margaret Weber, who moved at a later 
date to Lancaster, O. Mr. and Mrs. Kull have 
two sons : Carl M. and Elmer F. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kull are members of the Lutheran church at 
Lancaster, of which he is a trustee. He is now 
serving his second term as trustee of Greenfield 
Township. 



728 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



HENRY WINEGARDNER GEIGER, a 
native son of Fairfield County, was born near 
Rushville, Ohio, May 22, 1848. His great- 
grandfather, Adam Geiger, came to this county 
from Woodstock, Va., in 1806, and purchased 
640 acres of land in Pleasant Township and a 
part of this is now included in the corporation 
of the village of Pleasantville, Ohio. He was 
the father of sixteen children. His son, David 
Geiger, the grandfather of our subject, accom- 
panied his parents in the removal to Fairfield 
County and resided with them until his mar- 
riage to Catherine Winegardner in 1808. 
They began their domestic life on a farm in 
the locality and to them were born two chil- 
dren, John and Herbert. John, the elder, 
moved to Indiana and resided on a farm until 
his death. A few days after the birth of Her- 
bert, the younger son, the mother died and later 
David Geiger married Elizabeth Howdyshell. 
They became the parents of three children, 
David, Mary and Elizabeth. David Geiger, 
Sr., died near Pleasantville, Ohio, in 1826. 
Herbert Geiger, the second son of David 
Geiger, and the father of our subject, was born 
September 26, 1810 near Pleasantville, Ohio, 
and was reared by his grandmother, Catherine 
Winegardner, on a farm near Rushville, Ohio, 
and remained there until he entered business 
for himself in 1835 in partnership with Mr. 
Reed in conducting a general store in Rush- 
ville, Ohio. After a few years Mr. Reed sold 
his interest to George Crawford and the firms 
became Geiger and Crawford. Later tne 
senior partner purchased the interest of Mr. 
Crawford and conducted it until 1845 when 
he sold the store and with his uncle, Henry 
Winegardner, entered the tannery business and 
two years later, 1847, he purchased his uncle's 
interest. He married Sarah Lamb on the 
eighth of April, 1847. In 1856 he sold his tan- 
nery and purchased a farm of 264 acres south 



of Rushville, Ohio. He also owned a farm of 
160 acres in Section 12, Walnut Township, 
which he inherited from his mother. To this 
farm he moved March 29, 1866. In 1873 ^^ 
took up his abode at New Salem, Ohio, and 
there practically lived a retired life, save for 
the attention which his property demanded. 
He was a member of the Masonic order at New 
Salem. In 1879 he and his wife united with 
the Reformed church under the pastorate of 
Rev. F. C. Yost. He departed this life in No- 
vember, 1862. 

As before stated, he married Sarah Lamb, 
who was born December 28, 1821, a daughter 
of William Lamb, a prominent farmer and 
stock raiser of this county. She received her 
education in the public school and academy at 
West Rushville, which was taught by the Rev. 
Mr. Anderson, a Presbyterian minister. She 
also attended the Female Seminary at Gran- 
ville, Ohio. She departed this life March 19, 
1908. To this union was born two children, 
Henry W. and Alwilda C. The latter was born 
near Rushville, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1859, and re- 
ceived her education in the public school of 
Walnut Township and Fairfield Union Acad- 
emy at Pleasantville, Ohio. She also attended 
music school at Warren, Ohio. She was a 
member of her father's household until 1884 
when she married Prof. W. M. Wikoff. To 
them were born six children — Garnet, Bernice, 
Herbert, Charles, Paul and Walter. Prof. 
Wikofif is a very prominent man both in school 
and Sunday-school work and is also interested 
in agricultural pursuits. He and his family re- 
side in Columbus, Ohio, and the children are 
still pursuing their education. 

Henry Winegardner Geiger was born May 
22, 1848, near Rushville, Ohio. He received 
his education in the public school and the West 
Rushville Academy. He moved with his father 
to the farm near New Salem in Section 12, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



729 



Walnut Township, March 29, 1866, where he 
resided and was engaged in agriculture until 
Sept. 29, 1895, when he moved to his present 
home in Pleasant Township. On October 2, 
1870, he married Elizabetli Clementine Berry, 
a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Yontz 
Berry, she being the fifth daughter of a family 
of eight children. She was born May 7, 1850, 
on the Edward Berry farm. To them were 
born four children. Electa Florence, died in 
infancy. Emmett Carl, the elder son, was born 
on the home farm in Walnut Township, July 
9, 1874. He married Elsie May Bugh, eldest 
daughter of M. C. Bugh, on April 18, 1896, 
and they moved to a farm near Pleasantville, 
Ohio, where they still reside. To them were 
born four children — Raymond, Lester, Ray 
and Ralph, the three eldest being now deceased. 
Edward Herbert, the second son, was born on 
the home farm near New Salem, Ohio, Oct. 
19, 1878. He moved with his parents to Pleas- 
antville, Ohio, Sept. 29, 1895, and there he re- 
sided until Nov. 12, 1 90 1, when he returned to 
the home farm in Walnut Township near New 
Salem. On Oct. 2, 1901 he married Gertrude 
May Friend, the eldest daughter of J. W. and 
Sophia (Furry) Friend. They have three chil- 
dren — Florence Meriam, born Sept. 10, 1902; 
Carol Friend, born June 9, 1907; and Herbert 
John, born May 31, 1909. Alwilda Hazel, the 
youngest child, was born April 3, 1884, in Wal- 
nut Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, and re- 
sided with her parents and pursued her educa- 
tion until February, 1909, when she married 
Ray Musser, second son of A. J. Musser, of 
Walnut Township. They lived for a while on 
the farm in Section 11, Walnut Township, then 
moved to Pleasantville, Ohio, where they now 
reside. 

JOHN A. HUTCHINS, who owns eighty- 
four acres of productive land which lies in 



Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., 
has resided here for the past ten years and is 
numbered with the solid and representative 
men of this section. He was born in Madison 
Township. Fairfield County, and is a son of 
George and Margaret (Martin) Hutchins. 

The parents of Mr. Hutchins were born in 
Amanda Township, Fairfield County, and they 
now live retired at Amanda village. During 
the last months of the Civil War the father en- 
tered the Federal Army but hostilities closed 
before his regiment left Columbus. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs 
to the Presbyterian church. They have three 
children — Emanuel. John A. and Mary Etta, 
the last named being the wife of Ira M. Brund- 
age, of Allen County, O. The grandfathers on 
both sides, John Hutchins and Adam P. Mar- 
tin, were early settlers in Fairfield County. 

After his school days were over, John A. 
Hutchins began to learn the principles of farm- 
ing and continued at home three years after he 
reached maturity and then rented the home- 
stead for two years. In 1901 he bought his 
farm from \\'esley Conrad and immediately 
started to improve it, erected a fine barn, re- 
modeled the residence and other buildings and 
since then has carried on his farm operations 
with very satisfying results. He understands 
his business and is a practical, thorough-going 
man in everything he undertakes. 

In 1899 Mr. Hutchins was married to Miss 
Olive Thomas, a daughter of Allen and Ellen 
(Hedges) Thomas, and they have four chil- 
dren: Jesse L., Clyde, Carl Joseph and Tru- 
man. Mr. Hutchins and family attend the 
Presbyterian church. He casts his vote with 
the Democratic party. 

CASPER RAAB, one of the well known 
farmers and stock raisers of Pleasant Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., resides on his val- 



730 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



liable farm of seventy-two acres, every part of 
which he uses for growing crops, or fruit, or 
as pasturage for his stock, being a thoroughly 
practical man. He was born in Germany, June 
3, 1849, and is a son of John W. and Eve Raab. 

In 1853, when Casper Raab was four years 
old, his parents embarked for America and 
after reaching the United States, settled at 
Lancaster, O. The father, John W. Raab, was 
an excellent stone mason and soon found work 
at his trade and before he retired became 
known all over the county. In the strong, solid 
stone abutments of many of the bridges over 
different streams in the county, the worth of 
his work may be seen, it having outlived the 
expert builder. Later in life he engaged in 
farming in Rush Creek Township and there he 
died in 1890. In his religious faith he was a 
Lutheran and in politics a Republican. Of his 
children the following survive : Casper and 
John, both residents of Pleasant Township; 
Louisa, wife of Henry Martz, of Shelbyville, 
111. ; Simeon, of Rush Creek Township ; Bar- 
bara, residing in Pleasant Township; and 
Annie, wife of Herman Hoffman, residing in 
Berne Township. 

Casper Raab attended the district schools 
during boyhood and afterward assisted his 
father on the farm and farming has been his 
main business. In addition to his home farm 
he owns other land, 163 acres in all. the entire 
body being situated in Pleasant Township. He 
married Miss Susanna Bodamer, who was 
born near Logan, O., a daughter of Jacob 
Bodamer who once was a well known farmer 
in that locality. Eight children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Raab, the six survivors being: 
Margaret C, wife of William A. EUinger of 
Lancaster, O. ; Eva, who is the wife of Arthur 
Hufford, of Bremen, O. ; Otto C. ; and Chris- 
tian M. ; Enno J. and Adolph. Simon and 
Walter are deceased. Mr. Raab and family are 
members of Emanuel Lutheran Church at Lan- 



caster, of which he is a trustee. He is a Re- 
publican in politics but has never accepted any 
office except that of school director, and served 
as such in Pleasant Township for some years, 
under a former law. He is one of the town- 
ship's most respected citizens. 

JAMES A. IRICK, gas and oil contractor 
and a substantial citizen of Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., where he owns 112 acres 
of excellent land, bears an honorable name that 
has been known in Fairfield County for several 
generations. He was born at Pleasantville, O., 
November i, 1867, and is a son of Thomas 
and Catherine (Buchanan) Irick. 

Thomas Irick was born in Fairfield County, 
O., February 18, 1837, and is a son of John F. 
Irick, who came to this county from Pennsyl- 
vania, probably just after the War of 1812. 
The latter settled on what is now the site of his 
grandson's residence in the village of Pleasant- 
^■ille and passed the rest of his life here. He 
had three children, one son and two daughters 
namely: Thomas, the father of our subject; 
Barbara, who is the widow of P. V. Mans- 
berger and lives at Pleasantville; and Eliza- 
beth, who lives on the old homestead. Thomas 
Irick has spent his life in the old home. For 
many years he was engaged in carpenter work 
and contracting and many of the substantial 
buildings in different parts of the county were 
erected by him. He married Catherine Buch- 
anan, who was born near Thurston, Fairfield 
County, a daughter of William Buchanan. She 
died November 22, 1884, the beloved mother 
of five children, James Alexander being the 
fourth in order of birth. Ida is the wife of 
Martin Leonard and they live at Thurston. 
John W. resides in Pleasant Township. Jennie 
married H. E. Dilger and they live at Center- 
burg, Knox County, O. Harley T., the young- 
est, lives in New Mexico. 

James A. Irick was educated in the public 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



731 



schools and the Fairfield Union Academy. For 
eighteen years after reaching manhood he 
worked at building oil derricks and then went 
into well drilling and contracting and subse- 
quently became a producer of oil and gas. He 
carries on general farming on his 112 acres, 
which he purchased from the Spittler heirs. 
He has greatly improved his place and in the 
spring of 191 1 completed his present modern 
residence. He has also other business inter- 
ests, being a stockholder in the Pleasantville 
Bank. 

On December 24, 1891, Mr. Irick was mar- 
ried to Miss Frances H. Dollison, a daughter 
of Dr. Samuel S. and Cecelia Dollison, and 
they have one child, Jennie May. Mr. Irick 
and family are members of the Methodist Pro- 
testant church. Politically he is a Democrat 
but takes only a good citizen's interest in pub- 
lic matters, desiring no office for himself. He 
belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias 
and Blue Lodge F. & A. M. at Pleasantville, 
O. ; Lancaster Commandery No. 2 K. T., Lan- 
caster, O. ; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 
32d degree, Columbus, O., and Aladdin Tem- 
ple, A. A. O N. Mystic Shrine, Columbus, O. 

M. L. BURGNER, owner and proprietor of 
a general store at Clearport, O., is one of the 
leading and substantial citizens of Madison 
Township, Fairfield County. He was born in 
this township, December 30, 1856, and is a son 
of Joseph and Julia Ann (Bailor) Burgner. 

Joseph Burgner was born in Pennsylvania, 
a son of Conrad Burgner, who may have been 
born in Germany. Joseph Burgner was a 
farmer in Madison Township for many years 
and was a well known and respected resident 
and a member and liberal supporter of the 
Baptist church. He married Julia Ann Bailor, 
a daughter of Jacob Bailor, then of Ohio, and 
the following children were born to them: 



Jacob, Eliza, Abraham, M. L., Mary, Eli, 
Aaron, .\llen and .-Xrdella, the survivors being: 
Jacob, Aaron, M. L., and Ardella, the last 
named being the wife of Leonard Davidson. 
The parents of the above family are both 
deceased. 

M. L. Burgner obtained his education in the 
district school and afterward followed farm- 
ing and stock raising in Madison Township un- 
til 1905, when he purchased his store interest 
and property from Frank Faust. He draws 
trade from a wide territory as his is the only 
store in this neighborhood and hence he carries 
a large stock of goods that supply the wants 
and needs of the village and the surrounding 
country. He is very particular in its selection 
and is satisfied with a small profit and has a 
large amount of patronage. He is a Democrat 
in politics and on several occasions has been 
elected a township trustee and also a member 
of the school board. 

On September 18, 1884, Mr. Burgner was 
married to Miss Eliza Shaeffer, a daughter of 
Noah and Rebecca (Fast) Shaeffer, the former 
of whom lives in Fairfield County. The 
mother of Mrs. Burgner died November 30, 
1910, survived by the following children: 
Eliza, wife of Mr. Burgner; Eva, wife of 
Robert Raymond; and Joseph, Frank, Ernest, 
Edward and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs. Burgner 
have three children : Ethel, Miller Ray and 
Maple. Ethel married Orrell Schaffer and 
they have two sons, Waldo and Raymond. 
Miller Ray is a member of Confidence Lodge, 
No. 265, K. of P., Washington C. H.. Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs. Burgner are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to 
Scipio Lodge No. 255, Knights of Pythias at 
Stoutsville. 

DAVID RIKER CHrRCH. who owns 
ninetv-six acres of excellent land which is 



732 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1 



situated in Section 14, Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., has been a resident of 
Fairfield County since he was four years old 
but is a native of Perry County, born near 
Somerset, October 9, 1859. He is a son of 
Sylvester Church and a grandson of David 
Church. His father emigrated to New York 
during his childhood. 

David Church was born at Marblehead, 
Mass., and he there learned the blacksmith's 
trade. He then started out for himself, in a 
short time reaching Somerset, where he opened 
one of the first blacksmith shops — this being 
about 1820. He acquired land and at the time 
of his death owned two farms. He married 
Mary Mohler, who survived until 1893, being 
then in her ninety-third year. Of their ten 
children, Sylvester was one of the younger, his 
birth taking place near Somerset, Perry 
County, in 1837. He married Sarah Jane 
Cooper, who was born also in Perry County, 
and they had two children, David R. and Car- 
rie B., the latter being the wife of H. G. Belt, 
residing in Thorn Township, Perry County. 
During the Civil War, probably prior to 1863, 
Sylvester Church served as a soldier, being a 
member of Co. G, i6oth O. Vol. Inf., under 
command of Captain Griner. In the above 
year he moved with his family to Richland 
Township, Fairfield County, where he bought 
a farm and there his death occurred in 1900. 
His widow still survives and is a resident of 
New Salem. 

David R. Church accompanied his parents to 
Richland Township in 1863 and remained with 
them until his marriage. He was given educa- 
tional opportunities, after leaving the township 
schools being sent to the Fairdfield Union 
Academy, where he was creditably graduated 
in the class of 1881. Mr. Church taught 
school both before and after taking his acad- 



emic course and so enjoyed educational work 
that he continued in it for five years, both in 
Perry and Fairfield County. He purchased his 
present farm in 1888, from the heirs of the 
late Isaac Hashbarger. It was considered an 
excellent property at that time but he has con- 
tinued to improve it and has put up some very 
substantial buildings. He devotes his attention 
to general farming and fruit growing. 

Mr. Church was married first on November 
I, 1883, to Miss Lavina Hashbarger, who died 
February 18, 1906. Her parents were Isaac 
and Catherine Hashbarger. Mr. Church mar- 
ried for his second wife Miss Lulu Cooper, 
who is a daughter of Owen and Florence 
(Kenny) Cooper, and they have two children, 
Sarah Florence and Donald Cooper. Mr. 
Church takes no very active interest in politics 
but is a valued member of the Grange at New 
Salem. He belongs also to the Maccabees at 
the same place. 

PERRY A. MUCK, whose excellent farm 
of ninety acres of well cultivated land lies in 
Hocking Township, Fairfield County, O., is a 
representative citizen of this section and a 
member of one of the old settled families. He 
was born in this township, March 28, 1859, and 
is a son of Isaac and Grace (Coffman) Muck. 

Isaac Muck spent his entire seventy-two 
years of life in Hocking Township, where his 
father, Daniel Muck, had settled at a very early 
day. Isaac Muck was a substantial farmer and 
a man of excellent judgment and was elected a 
trustee of Hocking Township on the Demo- 
cratic ticket. He was one of the early sup- 
porters of the East Union U. B. church and at 
times held church positions. When he died in 
1904, his township lost a worthy man. He 
married Grace Coffman, who was born in Fair- 
field County and now resides at Lancaster. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



733 



They had three children : Isabel, who is de- 
ceased; Cecelia J., who is the wife of V. A. 
Greer, of Lancaster; and Perry A. 

Perry A. Muck was reared in Hocking 
Township and in boyhood attended the public 
schools and later a private school at Lancaster 
and also a well conducted Normal School, at 
Worthington, O., which no longer exists. Mr. 
Muck then engaged in teaching school and is 
well remembered as an instructor in Hocking, 
Greenfield, Clear Creek and Amanda Town- 
ships, having spent fourteen years in educa- 
tional work. 

Mr. Muck married Miss Mary Peters, a 
daughter of Samuel Peters, formerly of Hock- 
ing Township, and five children were born to 
them: Clerel A., E. Francile, Leland I., Al- 
berta M., and Gladden, who is deceased. Mr. 
Muck is a Democrat. He takes much interest 
in the U. B. church at East Union and is serv- 
ing as superintendent of the Sunday-school 
and is one of the church trustees. 

WILLIAM ELLSWORTH ZOLLINGER, 
general farmer and stock raiser residing on the 
old Zollinger homestead — now his property — 
consisting of 262 acres of fine land, situated in 
Sections 23 and 24, Walnut Township, Fair- 
field County, O., was born on this place, Nov- 
ember 7, 1862, and is a son of Jacob and Mar- 
garet (Linville) Zollinger. 

William E. Zollinger has spent his life on 
his present farm, attending the district schools 
in boyhood and completing his education with 
one year of collegiate training at Ada, O. He 
is a man of progressive ideas, a valued mem- 
ber of the Grange at Thornville, and carries on 
his large agricultural operations with intel- 
ligent effort along modern lines. In addition 
to his farm he has other interests and is one of 
the directors of the Millersport Bank Com- 
pany, of which he was one of the organizers. 

Mr. Zollinger was married November 27, 



1888, to Miss Charlotte Roessler, a daughter 
of Edward and Anna Roessler, of near Lan- 
caster, O. They have three sons — Noel, John 
and Howard. Mr. Zollinger and family be- 
long to the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
is identified with the Masons and the Modern 
Woodmen, both at Thornville. In politics he 
is a stanch Democrat and in the fall of 191 1 
was elected a trustee of Walnut Township, in 
which office he is giving effective service. 

THOMAS E. ERICK, who is filling the of- 
fice of constable of Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, O., has resided on his farm of 160 
acres since 1888 and is not only a representa- 
tive citizen of this section but is also a surviv- 
ing soldier of the great Civil War. He was 
born in Berne Township, November 11, 1847, 
and is a son of John and Elizabeth Erick. 

The Ericks settled in Berne Township 
among the pioneers of this region, the great- 
grandfather Jacob Erick acquiring the quarter 
section of land that is now owned by Thomas 
E. Erick. His son, also Jacob Erick, lived in 
Berne Township, and here John Erick was 
l)orn, sj)ent his life and died in the nineties. 
Of his children the following survive: Mary 
E., who is the widow of John W. Miller, of 
Berne Township; Thomas E., and Earl, the 
last named being a half-brother. John Erick 
was a respected and useful citizen and at one 
lime served in the office of road superintendent 
in Berne Township. He was a member and 
liberal supporter of the Lutheran church. 

Thomas E. Erick was five years old when 
his parents moved for two years to Allen 
County, Ind., from which they returned to 
Berne Township and here his home has been 
ever since, with the exception of four years 
when he lived in Hocking Township. In Feb- 
ruary, 1865, Mr. Erick enlisted for service in 
the Civil War, entering Co. D, i88th O. Vol. 
Inf.. which became a part of the Army of the 



734 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Cumberland, and was honorably discharged in 
September, 1865. His military duty was in 
Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Erick has been 
an active citizen, formerly serving on the town- 
ship school board and always doing his part 
to promote the general welfare. Politically he 
is a Republican and is a member of Ben. 
Butterfield Post, No. -JT, G. A. R., at Lan- 
caster, 0., of which he is quartermaster and 
for two years was commander. 

Mr. Erick was married to Miss Julia A. 
Beck, who was born in Berne Township, a 
daughter of the late Lawrence Beck, a well 
known former resident, and they have one son, 
John A. The latter married Miss Bertha Shu- 
maker and they also reside in Berne Township. 
The family is one that is held in very high es- 
teem in Berne Township. 

ENDS STRAWN MILLER was born 
March 21, 1818. He was the eldest son of 
Christian and Martha (Strawn) Miller. The 
father. Christian Miller, was a man of robust 
health and great vigor, who took life seriously. 
He was of English extraction, his family com- 
ing to Ohio from Virginia. The mother of 
the subject of this sketch drew her blood from 
the well known family of Strawns, whose 
Ohio home was in Perry County, near Somer- 
set. Their old farm was located along "Zane's 
Trace," east of the one-time county seat of 
Perry. The name of Strawn appears among 
the tax payers as early as 1806. Her family 
was of Gentian origin and members of it came 
into Ohio from one of the Atlantic seaboard 
states. Christian Miller was a man of pro- 
found Christian character. Late in life he 
learned the German language in order that he 
might be able to read the German Bible, for he 
believed the Gospel was more clearly stated in 
that tongue. By occupation he was a wagon- 
maker and general carpenter. He was very 



practical in his views of life, insisting that his 
boys should remain at home, working upon the 
farm until they had reached the age of eight- 
een. Then each one was taught some useful 
trade, thus being doubly ecjuipped for the race 
of life. 

Christian and Martha Strawn Miller had in 
all eight children, the others, in addition to the 
subject of this sketch being George, Elisha, 
Samuel, Anne, John O., Rebecca and Lewis C. 
Their record, in brief, is as follows : George 
learned the saddler's trade, and with his 
brother Elisha, who had learned the trade of 
the tanner, settled in early life in Cedar 
County, Iowa, where they became prosperous 
farmers and stock raisers and were held in 
high regard by the citizens. Samuel became 
an expert blacksmith and removed, at an early 
day, to Indiana. Here, in Wells County, he 
cleared a fine farm and reared his family. His 
children were Naaman, who held prominent 
positions in his county and state ; Edson, a 
most successful farmer, and Martha and Mary. 
Anne, the eldest daughter (of Christian and 
Martha Miller), married Jesse Macklin, to 
whom there were born three children, Carrie, 
deceased ; Charles and Essie, who are both liv- 
ing and prosperous. The Macklin farm was 
in Pleasant Township, on Pleasant Run. John 
O. Miller made his home in Indiana, where he 
carved a fine farm from the forest and reared 
a family of eight children (see sketch of Frank 
P. Miller). Rebecca was twice married, first 
to John Paden, in 1872, and after his death to 
Benjamin Rudesill. She died at her home in 
Baltimore in 1905 and lies buried in the new 
cemetery in that beautiful village. She left no 
children. Lewis C, the youngest of this fam- 
ily of Christian and Martha Miller, married 
Elizabeth Sites, a relative of the noted mathe- 
matician of that name. They lived for a num- 
ber of years at the old homestead in Pleasant 




ENOS S. JIILLKR 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



i6i 



Township; then they removed to a fine farm at 
Woodington in Darke County, Ohio. Many 
years later, after their family had been reared, 
they removed to a comfortable home in Green- 
ville, Ohio. Their children are Cletus, Laura 
(Mrs. G. W. Izor), Emma, Mollie, Manuel 
and Maude. Of these eight children — Enos, 
George, Elisha, Samuel, Anne, John, Rebecca 
and Lewis — all are gone to their reward — 
Enos in 1899, Anne in 1892. Rebecca in 1905, 
Lewis June 13, 191 1, and John Q., the last to 
pass away, in August, 191 1. 

Enos Strawn Miller had but slight chance as 
as boy to gain an education. Those were the 
days in Ohio when schools and school teachers 
were not numerous, nor were they of high 
grade. Another difficulty in the way of an 
education in the early part of the Nineteenth 
Century was found in the fact that it usually 
required the help of the entire family to make 
a living. Nevertheless Enos acquired a fair 
knowledge of the common branches. He was 
a lover of books and a constant reader all his 
life. He always had a good weekly news- 
paper come to his home and alter, when it be- 
came possible, the daily paper was found there. 

One of the achievements of which he was 
justly proud was that he had learned the 
wagon-making trade from his father, — and he 
had learned it so well that he could go into the 
woods, and with axe and saw prepare the tim- 
ber for a wagon, making every part of the 
woodwork from the trees standing in the pri- 
meval forest. And many were the wagons 
thus made, the faithfulness of his work being 
witnessed by the fact that there are many of 
his wagons still doing service in the county. 

In his young manhood he met Miss Eliza- 
beth Radebaugh, daughter of Nicholas and 
Catherine Radebaugh. A mutual attraction 
sprang up between them, and later on a call 
was made at the residence of the young lady. 



Ihis call was rather sudden and unexpected on 
the part of the father, whose answer to the 
first remark of the young man, "It is very dis- 
agreeable traveling tonight," was, "Yes, and 
there are always those traveling who have no 
business to travel." 

But the young man held his ground, and did 
not "travel" at once. Later they were married 
(1845), an event alike fortunate for both par- 
ties, for they li\ed a long and happy life, each 
one seeking the pleasure and comfort of the 
other. 

The Radebaughs were of German extrac- 
tion, coming originally from both Germany 
and Holland. On arriving in America they 
settled in Pennsylvania, whence they came to 
Ohio and made their final home in Fairfield 
County, .shortly after its organization. Nicho- 
las Radebaugh was a man of unusual physical 
strength, and of \igorous health, even in old 
age. He was full of good humor and loved to 
play harmless jokes upon liis friends. He had 
the build of an old Roman gladiator and many 
are the instances of his strength in the field 
and at pul)lic gatherings in those early days. 
It is related that he and a friend carried a 
neighbor's farm wagon, piece by piece, and put 
it all in ]>lace astride the comb of the roof of 
that neighbor's barn, then loaded it and left 
it there to be discovered in the morning. He 
died in 1862 at the age of eighty-five. His 
faithful wife, Catherine Radebaugh, died in 
1855 at the age of seventy-one years. 

Their children were ten in number, namely: 
Mary, Rel:)ecca. Joel, Esther, Elizabeth, who 
married the subject of this sketch, Daniel. 
Sarah, who married Levi Soliday, Samuel, 
Nancy, who married Alfred Clemens, and 
John, who married Maria Heberling of Lan- 
caster. Joel was one of the early county offi- 
cers, holding the office of Probate Judge in 
1852, and being the first one elected to that of- 



738 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



fice in the county. He was also elected clerk 
of courts of the county and served three years. 
John removed to Columbus in 1861, filling im- 
portant positions in the State and National 
governments. During the Civil war he was a 
government inspector at Columbus — purchas- 
ing agent under Colonel Burr — handling thou- 
sands of dollars each week. He died at his 
home in Columbus, April, 1903, and is buried 
in beautiful Greenlawn. His wife still sur- 
vives, though the hand of affliction has fallen 
heavily upon her. Their children were Man- 
ville, Charles, Katherine, Ida, Grace and 
Frank. Of these, only the eldest, Manville, is 
deceased. 

For several years after their marriage Mr. 
and Mrs. Enos S. Miller made their residence 
with his father at the old home in Pleasant 
Township. Then they removed (1850) to a 
farm of fifty-two acres, which they had pur- 
chased in \\'alnut Township, near Baltimore. 
Their home was one mile and a quarter east 
of Baltimore, on the Pleasantville road, and 
here they resided for the rest of their lives. 
The farm now has eighty-four acres. Here also 
Mr. Miller followed the vocation of wagon- 
making, and at the same time managed his 
farm. In 1882 he was elected to membership on 
the board of county commissioners of Fairfield 
county in which capacity he served two full 
terms, of six years, retiring in 1888. He served 
the people of his county faithfully and well, 
making the business of the county his own. He 
was always interested in good water, good 
roads and good bridges. One of the pieces of 
work which he secured and of which he was 
justly proud, is the substantial stone bridge or 
viaduct over Poplar Creek in the town of Bal- 
timore, a picture of which may be found in this 
history. He made use of every spring along 
the highways, arranging watering places for 
thirsty horse and driver. 



During his membership on the Board, the 
indigent children were taken from the County 
Infirmary and placed in the new Children's 
Home (see illustration), which was established 
by that board for that purpose. The purchase 
of the site for this Home and the arrangement 
of all details, was a work of no small magni- 
tude. Mr. Miller was always deeply interested 
in this Home for the little unfortunate waifs 
of the county. His love for liis fellow man, 
his ability and honesty, made and held many 
close friendships. His public service received 
the endorsement of the people, for he believed 
"a public office was a public trust." All 
through life he tried to be a consistent Chris- 
tian and, with his faithful wife, was a lifelong 
member of the United Brethren Church, and 
one of its officials. 

Mr. Miller was a born mechanic and loved 
to use tools. He was an inventor, for his mind 
took the channel that was new, and he tried to 
improve upon the old ways of doing things. 
He invented and patented an end-gate for 
wagon-beds, by means of which the load could 
be removed much easier and quicker. For this 
original work he received a patent from the 
United States government. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Enos S. Mil- 
ler are Manson, Chauncey Jerome, Mary and 
Charles Christian. Manson, the first born, died 
before he reached his second birthday. Chaun- 
cey, a prosperous farmer, lives on the old 
homestead. He married Henrietta (Messerly) 
Wildermuth. They have two sons — Bliss Tho- 
burn, an engineer on the Ohio Central Rail- 
road, and Wayne E., a successful student at 
the Ohio State University. Mary married 
William L. Whitecamp, who, with their mar- 
ried daughter, Mabel Lessler, and granddaugh- 
ter, Evelyn, reside in Newark, Ohio. Mr. 
Whitecamp is in the hardware business. 
Charles Christian Miller married Nellie Cor- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



739 



nell Wilbur, of Honeoye, N. Y. Their home 
for the past sixteen years has been in Lima, 
Ohio. Their children are Leon Wilbur Miller, 
a student in his freshman year in Ohio Wes- 
leyan University, Delaware, Ohio; Robert 
, Strawn Miller, a student in North High 
School, Columbus, Ohio, and Elizabeth Miller, 
a pupil in the Ninth Avenue School of the 
same city. 

Enos S. Miller, the father, died August 15, 
1899, at the age of eighty-one years, four 
months and twenty-four days. The mother 
died September 7, 1900, at the age of eighty- 
three years, four months and twenty-five days. 
' They sleep side by side in the beautiful Bethel 
Cemetery, of Bethel United Brethren Church, 
l6cated in Greenfield Township, Fairfield 
County, Ohio. The following tribute to Mr. 
Miller is from a life-long friend, Hon. E. F. 
Holland, judge of probate : 

"I knew Enos S. Miller intimately from my 
boyhood days until his death. His counsel 
was always valuable, and I can never forget 
his advice and encouragement to me while a 
young teacher in his district. He served the 
people of the county for six years as Commis- 
sioner and faithfully and honestly performed 
his whole duty. He was a leader in his church 
and party and a useful citizen in his com- 
munity." 

Court of Common Pleas 
Fairfield County 
Lancaster, O., March 25, 1912. 
Hon. C. C. Miller, Columbus, Ohio: 

My Dear Sir: I take the privilege of an old 
friend to express to you my high regard of the 
life, services, and character of your father, 
Enos S. Miller. 

I was intimately acquainted with him from 
1865 to the day of his death. During this time 
he served six years as County Commissioner 



of Fairfield County, and was active and promi- 
nent in the social, political, and business af- 
fairs pertaining to the advancement of the best 
interests of his community, and county. 

He was always held in the highest esteem by 
the entire community for his christian char- 
acter, devotion to and strictly honest perform- 
ance of all his duties, public and private, and 
his kind and affable disposition. He was spe- 
cially admired and resjiected by the young men, 
for his kind and considerate treatment, many 
of whom owe their success in life to his chris- 
tian example, timely encouragement, advice, 
and assistance. 

Very Respectfully, 

J. G. Reeves, 
Judge of Common Pleas. 

This sketch of the father would in no way 
be satisfying without a more definite and lov- 
ing reference to the mother, Elizabeth (Rade- 
baugh) Miller. She was a most beautiful and 
tender mother to all who knew her. She was 
self-sacrificing to a fault — kind and helpful in 
every walk of life. She lent a kindly, sooth- 
ing hand to the sick and encouragement to the 
strong. Her very presence was a benediction 
to the sorrowing or the dejected. Her chil- 
dren loved her as a true mother deserves to be 
loved, and they unite heart and soul in repeat- 
ing the beautiful tribute from the pen of Kate 
Douglas Wiggin — to my mother: 

"Most of all the other beautiful things in 
life come by twos and threes, by dozens and 
hundreds! Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, 
rainbows ; brothers and sisters, aunts and cou- 
sins; but only one mother in all the wide 
world!" 

WILBER F. CLAYTON, one of the 
representative men of Walnut Township, 
Fairfield County, O., where he owns two 



740 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



tracts of excellent land, aggregating 140 
acres, is an honored veteran of the great 
Civil War, one whose loyalty and patriot- 
ism kept him a soldier from 1861 until 1865. 
He was born near New Salem, C, March 
4, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Louisa 
(Showman) Clayton. 

Joseph Clayton was born in Maryland in 
1802, and was a son of Capt. Henry and 
Ann Clayton. Captain Henry Clayton was 
of Irish extraction and was born in Pleas- 
ant Valley, Va. He was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War under the immediate 
command of General Washington, who was 
a personal friend of the family and fre- 
quently was entertained by Captain Clay- 
ton and wife. The family still preserves a 
table glass tumbler from which the Father 
of his country was wont to drink when he 
dined with the Claytons, and also an old 
slate which he often made use of, on which 
to sketch a map when he was planning 
military operations. Henry Clayton was 
elected a lieutenant in Col. Swope's Flying- 
Camp, Maryland Line, Continental Army, 
in 1776. He took part in the Siege of Bos- 
ton, and after that was commissioned a 
captain in the Maryland line, Col. Swope's 
command, and took part in the Battle of 
Long Island, in General Sullivan's Brigade. 
He was captured by the British and con- 
fined in the prison hulks at New York, be- 
ing parolled after two years' confinement. 
As a soldier he had a brilliant record and 
on many an occasion made his presence and 
ability felt by the British. His company 
was composed of brave and tried men, 
whose clothes were often mended by Mrs. 
Ann Clayton, grandmother of the subject 
of this sketch, as they were generally poorly 
clad. Captain Henry Clayton's eldest son, 
John, was a drummer boy iu his company. 



It is related that on one occasion the Hes- 
sians succeeded in capturing Captain Clay- 
ton and before he was rescued they had 
robbed him of his silver knee and shoe 
buckles. He made a vow that the first Hes- 
sian he afterward met should fall by his 
sword or musket and there is every reason 
to believe that he carried out his vow. His 
death occurred probably along the Atlantic 
coast, after which his widow came to Fair- 
field County, where her life was prolonged 
to ninety-seven years, six months and two 
days. By special act of Congress she was 
granted a pension from the Government as 
the widow of a Revolutionary officer. She 
was the mother of seven children. So many 
interesting events had occurred in her life 
that she became widely known and many 
can recall her portrait taken at the age of 
ninety years^ that received the first prize at 
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, 
in 1876. She was one of the pioneer Meth- 
odists of Fairfield County, belonging to the 
church at Rushville. During the latter part 
of her life she resided with her youngest 
son, Joseph. 

Although his father had been so notable 
in military life, Joseph Clayton was always 
a man of peace. A scholar and teacher in 
Maryland, he there married Louisa Show- 
man and shortly afterward they came to 
Rushville, Fairfield County, O. Here he 
bought 100 acres of land of the Hopwood 
heirs, paying $18 per acre for it. He also 
engaged in the mercantile business both at 
Rushville and New Salem. He handled 
tobacco extensively and also bought the 
Andrew Baker farm in Perry County, C, 
evidently being a man of much business en- 
terprise. His death occurred at New Salem, 
in 1888, his first wife having died in 1862, at 
the age of fifty-three years. He married for 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



741 



his second wife, Mrs. Eliza Ann (Flowers) 
Dollison, who (Hed in 1902. She was the 
widow of Dr. DolHson at the time of tlie 
marriage. 

To the first marriage of Joseph Clayton 
the following children were born : Leoni- 
das W., who died at the age of seventy-four 
years, was captain of the Home Guards and 
resided at Thornville, O. ; John F., who died 
in Missouri, was a physician in Wood, Han- 
cock and Henry Counties, O. ; Joseph B., 
who formerly was a captain in the state 
militia in Fairfield County, and is now a 
resident of Hancock County; William M., 
who is a resident of Washington, D. C. ; 
Thomas C, who is deceased ; Francis A., 
who served three years in the Civil War as 
a member of the 21st O. Vol. Inf., and now 
resides at Hume, Mo. ; Louisa, deceased, 
who was the wife of William Shoemaker; 
and Josephine, who is the wife of Pressley 
Hitt, and resides at New Salem, O. 

Wilber F. Clayton attended school in 
boyhood when a teacher could be secured 
for what was called the "Old Chris Baker 
school," a log structure standing some dis- 
tance from New Salem, and in those days 
boys were expected to apply themselves to 
spelling book and arithmetic whether their 
surroundings rendered them physically com- 
fortable or not. There Mr. Clayton laid 
the foundations of his education. As soon 
as he was old enough for hard work he 
learned the plastering trade, with his bro- 
ther, near Findlay, O., and has followed it 
in connection with farming during the 
greater part of his subsequent life. In Sep- 
tember, 1 86 1, in answer to the first call of 
President Lincoln for troops, he enlisted at 
New Salem, under Captain John Wiseman 
and Lieutenant Linville, in Co. C, 46th O. 
Vol. Inf., as brave and courageous a body 



of men as ever served on any battlefield. 
Of this gallant band Mr. Clayton is the only 
survivor at New Salem. He took part in 
seventeen battles l)ut survived to return 
home at the close of the war. His name 
appears on the roll of honor. I'or many 
years he has been identified with the Grand 
Army Post at East Rushville. 

On October 2, 1872, Mr. Clayton was 
married to Miss Mary E. Melick, who died 
in 1888. She was a daughter of Aaron 
Melick, of Perry County, O. In May, 1909, 
his second marriage took place, with Miss 
Alice A. Clemson, a daughter of Joseph 
Clemson. They are members of the Meth- 
odist Protestant church, with which he has 
been identified since he was fifteen years of 
age. He was one of the organizers of the 
church and Sunday-school at Van Buren, 
O., and for many years has been superin- 
tendent of the Sunday-school at New Salem, 
having always been greatly interested in 
Sunday-school work. In politics he is a 
Democrat but has never cared to hold ofiice. 
He is identified with the Masonic fraternity. 

JOHN J. ASHBAUGH, one of the highly 
respected citizens of Bremen, O., now living 
retired and in the enjoyment of an ample 
income, was born in Perry County, O., May 
16, 1840, and is a son of William and Julia 
Ann (Cohagen) Ashbaugh. 

William .Ashbaugh was born in Fairfield 
County, O.. two and one-half miles east of 
Bremen and after his school days were over, 
he followed farming in Perry County, where 
he improved eighty acres of land. Here he 
lived until 1857, when he returned to Rush 
Creek Township and settled on the same 
farm on which he had been born. One year 
later he bought fifty acres of land north of 
Bremen, where he operated a grist mill in 



742 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



addition to farming. He lived on that place 
until 1863, when he moved to Bremen. He 
died at the age of eighty-one years and was 
buried at Bethel Presbyterian church, in 
Rush Creek Township. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics until the administration of 
President Lincoln, when he identified him- 
self with the Republican party. He mar- 
ried Julia Ann Cohagen, who was born in 
Perry County and died in Rush Creek 
Township one year after her husband, her 
age being eighty years. They were worthy 
members of society, good, virtuous people 
and belonged to the Presbyterian church. 
Five sons and four daughters were born to 
them and of these three sons and one daugh- 
ter are deceased. 

John J. Ashbaugh attended school in 
Bronday Creek Township, Perry County, 
O., after which he worked on his father's 
and other farms until the outbreak of the 
Civil War, when he enlisted for service in 
Co. B., 129th O. Vol. Inf., and served out 
his term without meeting any of the disas- 
ters of war. He then reenlisted as private 
in Co. D, 159th O. Vol. Inf., and served 
three months more, and a third time en- 
listed, on January 30, 1865, entering Co. D, 
187th O. Vol. Inf. He was with that or- 
ganization for one year and during the 
larger part of the time was orderly sergeant. 
After coming home he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade at which he worked through 
Rush Creek Township, continuing to live on 
his farm of eighty acres in that township 
until April, 1909. He then sold to Otto 
Lacey and came to Bremen and embarked 
in the ice business, which he carried on until 
August 8, 191 1, when he disposed of it to 
J. K. Davis. He has been a very active 
Republican, serving for twenty-one years 
as central committeeman, for seven years 



was a member of the Fairfield County Re- 
publican Executive Committee and on four- 
teen occasions was elected a delegate to the 
State conventions. 

Mr. Ashbaugh was married first, May i, 
1873, to Miss Cloa L. Davis, who was born 
in Rush Creek Township, a daughter of 
Davis Y. Davis. Her death occurred at the 
age of thirty-four years. She was the 
mother of four children, namely : Sarah 
Julia, who died in infancy; Annie, who mar- 
ried Edgar Clark, a native of Vinton 
County, O., and a resident of Bremen, and 
has one child, Lola; William D., who is a 
railroad engineer with the T. & O. C. Rail- 
road ; and Pearl E., who is the wife of John 
Wheeler, an employe of the Electric Power 
and Light Company of Columbus, O. On 
September i, 1888, Mr. Ashbaugh was mar- 
ried to Miss Jennie D. Davis, his sister-in- 
law, and they have two children : Robert 
Paul, an electric engineer located in Chi- 
cago; and Fay, who is the wife of Elsa Rine- 
hart, of Tulsa. Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ashbaugh are members of the Presbyterian 
church in which he has been an elder for 
many years. He has long been identified 
with the Odd Fellows and is one of the old- 
est members of Lodge No. 561, at Bremen. 
He has been much interested in Grand Army 
affairs and has belonged to John Rowles 
Post, No. 411, G. A. R., at Bremen, almost 
since its organization and is now senior 
commander of the same. Mr. Ashbaugh's 
comfortable residence is situated on the cor- 
ner of Mulberry and Walnut Streets, 
Bremen. 

HENRY JOHNSON, a member of the 
school board of Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, O., carries on farming and stock 
raising on his valuable farm of 161 acres 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



743 



and for the past twenty-five years has been 
an auctioneer in this section. He was born 
in Berne Township, May 8, 1852, and is a 
son of James P. and EHza (Strayer) John- 
son. 

James P. Johnson was born in Licking 
County, O., and as he was left an orphan 
when small, he was reared in the family of 
Mr. Brandon, who lived near Sugar Grove, 
in Fairfield County. When eighteen years 
of age he started out for himself and be- 
came a successful farmer and respected citi- 
zen, married and reared a creditable family. 
His death occurred in 1895. He was a 
Democrat in politics and was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He mar- 
ried Eliza Strayer, who was born in Fair- 
field County of parents who were natives of 
Germany. Of their children the following 
survive : William and Henry, both residing 
in Berne Township ; Elizabeth, also of Berne 
Township; James, living at Williamsport, 
O. ; Caroline, of Berne Township; Zopher, 
of Lancaster, O. ; John, living in Pleasant 
Township; and Theodore, residing in Berne 
Township. 

Henry Johnson attended school in Berne 
Township when he was a boy. He has al- 
ways taken an interest in educational mat- 
ters, has kept well posted on the news of 
the times and forms his own opinions con- 
cerning public events. Politically he is a 
Democrat and he has frequently been 
elected to public ofiice, serving as assessor 
and as road superintendent and also on the 
township school board. 

Mr. Johnson married Miss Elizabeth 
Kull, a daughter of Andrew Kull, who was 
once a prominent and substantial resident 
of Berne Township, having settled here 
after coming from Germany, when woods 
still covered a large part of the land com- 



prising the present farm of Mr. Johnson. 
Andrew Kull operated a sawmill in addi- 
tion to farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson 
three children have been born: Charles 
C, Frank H. and Goldie M. Mr. Johnson 
and family belong to the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. He is very popular as an auc- 
tioneer and his services are engaged from 
distant sections at times, he having a genial 
manner and a fund of anecdotes that please 
his hearers and accomplish the end for 
which he is employed. 

LEWIS J. KNECHT, a prominent citi- 
zen, township trustee and successful farmer, 
in Berne Township, was born in this town- 
ship, March 16, 1856, and is a son of Charles 
and Mary (Kourt) Knecht. 

Charles Knecht was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, and came to America with his 
parents when he was thirteen years of age. 
They were early settlers near Sugar Grove, 
in Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., 
the wild animals of the forest still being 
numerous in that region at the time. There 
Charles Knecht grew to manhood and spent 
his life, his death occurring August i, 1907, 
when he was in his eighty-fifth year. He 
married Mary Kourt and they had a large 
family, there being ten survivors in 191 1, 
namely: Charles, of Columbus, O. ; Lewis 
J., of Berne Township; Lena S., of Lancas- 
ter, O. ; Christian, of Texas ; Phebe C, wife 
of Lewis Rowe, of Columbus ; Elizabeth, of 
Lancaster, O. ; James R., of Lorain, O. ; 
Tobias W., of Columbus ; Edward C, of 
Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Emma C, of Lan- 
caster. 

Lewis J. Knecht grew up on his father's 
farm and has always devoted a large part 
of his attention to agricultural pursuits. He 
owns a farm of about fifty-seven acres of 



744 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



excellent land in Berne Township, which 
he devotes to farming and stock raising, 
and has been a continuous resident here 
with the exception of four years passed in 
Darke County, O. All his mature life Mr. 
Knecht has been identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, as was his father, and he has 
frequently been called on by his fellow citi- 
zens to serve in public office. For many 
years he was a school director of District 
No. 7. He has served four years on the 
township board and is serving in his fourth 
term as a trustee of the township, having 
been chairman of the board. On three 
occasions he has been elected by his party 
as a delegate to the Congressional conven- 
tions, representing Berne Township. 

Mr. Knecht was married to Miss Annie 
P. Hoffman, who was born in Berne Town- 
ship, a daughter of David and Barbara 
(Hoffman) Hoffman, the former of whom 
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Knecht have six 
children : Loma P., who is the wife of 
Herman Boehm, of Franklin County; 
Charles F., who is a farmer in Berne Town- 
ship; Fannie E., who is a student of the 
Ohio University, at Athens, O. ; Albert L., 
who is also a farmer in Berne Township : 
Harry P., who is preparing to be a civil 
engineer at the Ohio University, Athens, 
O. ; and Wilhelmina K., who is a student at 
Crawfis Institute, Lancaster, O. Mr. 
Knecht and family belong to the Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran church in the village of Sugar 
Grove. 

WASHINGTON WYMAN, a leading cit- 
izen of Lancaster, O., formerly secretary of 
the County Board of Infirmary Directors and 
for many years connected with public office in 
Fairfield County, was born February 22, 1841, 
at Lancaster, in which city he has passed his 



entire life, with the exception of twelve years. 
He is a son of George and Catherine Eva 
Gemming Wyman. 

The parents of Mr. Wyman were born in 
Bavaria and came from Germany to America 
in 1837, locating at Lancaster, O. The father 
was a florist and nurseryman and engaged in 
this business at Lancaster as one of the pio- 
neers in this line. His death occurred in Oc- 
tober, 1854, when he was aged fifty- four 
years. His widow kept the family together as 
long as she survived, her death following when 
she was aged sixty-three years. There were 
seven children in the family, as follows : Jacob, 
Justus, George, John Lewis, Margaret, Wash- 
ington, and one not named. Of the above 
family a number of the sons saw military serv- 
ice. Jacob had served in the Mexican War 
when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, 
becoming a member of the 2nd O. Vol. Inf. 
He married Elizabeth Smith, of Hocking 
County, O., who died in 1883, and his death 
occurred at Logan, O., in 1892. Justus was a 
soldier in the 12th Reg. U. S. A. and was 
wounded while serving under General Thomas, 
in the Civil War. He married Mary Reif and 
they resided on Sixth Avenue, Lancaster, 
where he died in 1905. George Wyman died 
in 1862, at Columbus, where he was in the 
meat business. He married Catherine Milizer, 
who died in 1865. John Lewis married Mary 
Shadd, who died in 191 1, at the family home 
on Pearl Avenue, Lancaster, where he yet re- 
sides. Margaret, who died in 1883, was the 
wife of Gottlieb Deirling, who died some 
twenty years after. 

Washington Wyman was the next young- 
est born of the family. Until he was fourteen 
years of age he attended school with regular- 
ity, after which he started to work, attending 
night-school for a time. The death of his 
father made it necessary for the sons to be- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



745 



come self supporting as early as possible, and 
he learned the making of shoes before becom- 
ing an assistant to his brother, who was an 
expert butcher. Later he decided to learn this 
trade also and worked at it for eight years, and 
then learned to make I)rick, at Logan, ()., and 
there conducted a brick-yartl and engaged in 
building and contracting. He then took charge 
of the Kirn Hotel, which was formerly the old 
Tallmadge House at Lancaster, when Tall- 
madge operated the stage coach line, and Mr. 
Wyman continued in the management of this 
hostelry until April, 1912. 

Long before these later activities, however, 
Mr. Wyman had taken an important part on 
the theater of civil war that disturbed every 
section of the United States between 1861 and 
1865. He was twenty years of age, loyal and 
patriotic, when he joined the state militia, in 
answer to the first call for soldiers to suppress 
rebellion. His first enlistment was for three 
months, in a company recruited at Lancaster, 
this company reporting at Columbus three 
hours ahead of the Cleveland Grays, and im- 
mediately a sort of rivalry grew up between 
these bodies of fearless and enthusiastic young 
men that resulted in a number of adventures. 
After his first term of enlistment was honor- 
ably completed, Mr. Wyman reenlisted and 
his subsequent military life was one series of 
battles, skirmishes, marches, dangers and hard- 
ships. He took part in all the engagements and 
movements of the regiment to which he be- 
longed, including the actions at Port Gibson. 
Miss.; Champion Hill and Jackson, and on 
July 4, 1863. shared General Grant's victory 
at Vicksburg. From there his regiment was 
sent to Texas and landed at a point on Mata- 
gorda Bay, and from there went on to In- 
dianola. On reaching Mustang Island they 
found orders to reinforce General Banks, who 
was conducting the Shreveport campaign. 



This regiment assisted in destroying the ar- 
senal at Shreveport and then made its head- 
quarters at Alexandria, La. War is not al- 
together fighting one's fellow men, some times 
it is fighting for the means of sustaining life. 
.At tlie place above mentioned wells had to be 
sunk and the water was so low, also, that 
there was difficulty in getting the boats to the 
Mississippi River through the marshy bayous. 
The regiment remained on the Mississippi until 
the beginning of the fall campaign, when it 
moved to Barancas, Fla., antl in the spring of 
1865 moved from Spanish Fort to Blakely, 
Ala. From there the regiment moved up the 
Alabama River to Selma and remained one 
week after Wilson's cavalry passed through, 
and destroyed the arsenal and policed the city. 
From there a move was made to Mobile and 
one week later that explosion took place that 
blew up seven blocks of the city, killed 5,ckx) 
people and destroyed five steamboats. From 
Mobile the command then went to Galveston 
and, in the meanwhile, as news had been re- 
ceived of the surrender of General Lee, Mr. 
Wyman relates that when the Federal regi- 
mental band struck up Yankee Doodle in the 
streets of Galveston, the real brotherhood of 
North and South was shown in the fact that 
when the Union soldiers offered the friendly 
hand of good fellowship to their former en- 
emies, it was eagerly accepted. On account of 
yellow fever having developed at Galveston, 
the regiment went on to Houston, Texas, and 
Mr. Wyman tells in a most interesting way of 
the excitement prevailing during the stay there, 
and of Governor Sam Houston's subsequent 
activities. As an eye witness his recollections 
are especially entertaining. 

\\'hen the regiment found itself at Blakely, 
Ala., mail for eight weeks was delivered and, 
as it must be remembered transportation facil- 
ities were not as they are at present, it was 



746 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



conveyed in the soldiers' letters that Gens. Lee 
and Johnson had surrendered and that Presi- 
dent Lincoln had been assassinated. From 
Houston the regiment went to Milligan, Tex., 
for three weeks, then back to Houston, where 
the tired soldiers were mustered out. By boat 
they went to New Orleans, thence to Cairo, 
111., and then on to Columbus, where Mr. Wy- 
man was honorably discharged. During all 
this period he was but once wounded, that be- 
ing at Thompson's Hill. 

On March ii, 1866, Mr. Wyman was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Webber, a daughter of An- 
drew and Anna Mary (Weidner) Webber. 
Mrs. Wyman's father was born at Baden, Ger- 
many, and her mother had come to Hocking 
County from the same place when she was six- 
teen years of age. Andrew Webber died in 
Fairfield County in 1904, at the age of eighty- 
six years, and his wife when aged thirty-three 
years. The former was twice married and had 
sixteen children, Mary (Mrs. Wyman), being 
of the first union. Five children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Wyman, namely : Margaret, 
who is the wife of John Gardner, of the firm 
of Gardner & Hughes, of Lancaster, and has 
two children — -Margaret and George Edward; 
George A., who is in the dry cleaning business 
at Lancaster, married Edna Clover and has 
two children — Gladys and George A. ; Fannie 
A., who is the wife of Joseph Mattox, a cloth- 
ier at Lancaster, and has four children — Rich- 
ard, Dorothy, Thomas and x\nna Mary; Car- 
rie A., who is the wife of William Addle- 
berger, a dealer in coal, lime, cement and build- 
ing material, at Dayton, O., and has one son — 
William ; and Edward, who makes his home in 
New York City and travels as a musician with 
theatrical companies. Formerly he served as 
a musician in the U. S. Navy and made the 
trip around the world with the fleet, being con- 
nected with both the battleships Georgia and 



Ohio. Mr. Wyman and family are members of 
St. Peters Lutheran Church. He is a Demo- 
cratic in his political opinions and served 
twelve years as a director of the Fairfield 
County Infirmary. For some years he was 
president of the Square Deal Building and 
Loan Association. In 1901 he erected his 
handsome residence at Lancaster and super- 
intended its construction. 

DANIEL CRUMLEY, a well known and 
prosperous citizen of Hocking township, for- 
merly president of the Fairfield County, Agri- 
cultural Society, was born on his present farm, 
Dec. 22, 1839, a son of Conrad and Mary M. 
(Feller) Crumley. His parents were both na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, and he is a descendant 
in the fourth generation of V'alentine Gram- 
lich, who emigrated to this country from the 
Duchy of Wurtemberg, Germany, arriving at 
Philadelphia, September 19, 1749. Valentine 
Crumley and his sons founded the Lutheran 
church at Weisenberg township, in Lehigh 
county, Pa., soon after their settlement in that 
county in 1749. Valentine was a man of in- 
fluence and high standing in his county and a 
leading and public spirited citizen. He was 
the father of five children, viz : George, who 
died near Danville, Pa. ; Paul, who died at the 
old homestead ; Daniel ; Ann M. and Christian, 
all three of whom moved to Ohio as early as 
1805. The family name of Gramlich was soon 
anglicised by its bearers to Crumley and has 
thus remained since. 

Three sons of Paul moved to Ohio in 
18 1 5 — Jonathan, Jacob and Paul — and settled 
in Pickaway county. Paul died in March, 
1826. He left four sons — James, Stephen, 
Thomas and William. William was born in 
Pennsylvania, March 19, 181 3 and died in 
May, 1888, aged 75 years. He was the father 
of the Hon. T. E. Crumley, late a trustee of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



747 



the Boys' Industrial School and State Senator 
from Pickaway county, Ohio. 

Daniel Crumley, later of Bloom township, 
was a son of Christian Crumley and grandson 
of Valentine, Christian being the grandfather 
of our subject. The direct line is Valentine 
(I). Christian (II), Conrad (III), Daniel 
(IV). Daniel Crumley, above mentioned, was 
born in Bloom township, this county, Dec. ii, 
1807. He married Miss Jane Betzer, who was 
born July 5, 181 1. Their children numbered 
fourteen and nine of them preceded their 
father to the grave. Those living at the time 
of his death (Nov. 30, 1891), were Mrs. A. 
W. Killits, of Chicago, 111. ; Mrs. T. J. Arnold, 
of Lancaster, Ohio ; E. M. Crumley, of Spring- 
field, Ohio, and A. I. Crumley, of Lithopolis, 
Ohio. Daniel Crumley was a very prominent 
and useful man in his township. He was a 
justice of the peace for twelve years and was 
for several terms a township trustee. He was 
a very competent administrator of estates and 
settled up thirty-five in his life time. His sec- 
ond wife was Mrs. Buxton of the county of 
Licking. Daniel Crumley was an upright, hon- 
orable man, widely known and highly es- 
teemed. He was grandfather of Frank Crum- 
ley, of the Lancaster Gazette. 

Christian Crumley was born in Germany and 
accompanied his parents to this country. In 
the year 1803 he, with his family, left Pennsyl- 
vania to seek a new home in Lancaster, and 
during that time one of his children died. He 
purchased a section of Woodland in Bloom 
township and moved his family to the new 
home, about one mile west of Rock Mill. Here 
young Conrad remained until he became a 
man. He assisted his father in clearing up 
his farm and tasted the joys and endured the 
privations of pioneer life. When 18 years of 
age he was confirmed a member of the Luth- 
eran church, and to the end of his life was a 



faithful member and a consistent christian. 
His membership at this time was in the Glick 
church. Rev. M. J. Steck, pastor. Later in 
life he founded the Trinity Evangelical 
church in Hocking township. The site on 
which the family encamped on the first night 
of their arrival in this county lies on Colum- 
bus street, Lancaster. On two occasions 
Christian Crumley loaded fiat boats at Galli- 
polis for New Orleans. Conrad drove the team 
that carried, or drew tlie produce to load these 
boats. He made nine trips in one winter 
through an almost unbroken forest to Galli- 
polis, a distance of 100 miles. 

Feb. 23, 1824, Conrad Crumley was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary M. Feller. He then settled 
upon a quarter section of land donated by his 
father, entirely in the woods. He lived in a 
rude cabin and devoted his energies to clear- 
ing up his farm where his son Daniel now re- 
sides, in Hocking township. Here he lived a 
quiet peaceful life for 41 years and reared a 
large family of children, eleven in number. 
Two of his sons were in the Union army. In 
August, 1863. two of them, George and Dan- 
iel, were coming home from Columbus on fur- 
lough, having just enlisted, George for the sec- 
ond time, and Daniel, our subject for the first 
time — and took passage on the same coach with 
Colonel McVeigh and family. The coach was 
upset and McVeigh and his son were killed. 
The Crumley boys remained with the family 
and brought the dead to Lancaster. When a 
friend spoke to the old man and praised his 
boys for their good conduct, tears came to his 
eyes, and he replied, "I'm proud of my boys." 

Conrad Crumley was one of the grand old 
men of the past — one whose example for good 
was felt through a very large circle of ac- 
quaintances. He was for a number of years a 
trustee of St. Peter's Lutheran church, of Lan- 
caster, and later of Trinity, near his home. 



748 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



He died March 8, 1879, aged yj years. He 
had been married 55 years. His son David 
married Sarah, a daughter of the late Daniel 
Ward. John married Catharine Miller, of this 
county. Peter married Catharine, a daughter 
of the late George H. Strode. Daniel mar- 
ried Rebecca Strode, a sister of Catharine. 
George married Matilda Brobst. May became 
the wife of Daniel Hoffman. Elizabeth is the 
wife of Amos Graham. All are farmers and 
have fine homes in the neighborhood where 
they were born and raised. There are man}' 
grandchildren and great grandchildren of 
Conrad Crumley now living, but the list is too 
long for enumeration. Born on the 24th of 
January, 1802 and dying in March, 1879, Con- 
rad Crumley was a little over yj years old at 
the time of his death. He was an active and 
progressive man, and built the first brick barn 
in Bloom township, and in him Fairfield 
county lost one of its most worthy pioneer cit- 
izens. 

Daniel Crumley, our direct subject, was, as 
already stated, born on his present farm, on 
which he has since resided. In his youth he 
attended the public schools of Hocking town- 
ship and was a student for two years at Cap- 
itol University, Columbus, Ohio. In July, 
1863, at the age of 23 years, he enlisted in the 
129th regiment, O. V. I., Company D, and 
was detailed as quartermaster sergeant of the 
regiment. This enlistment was for six months, 
but he served about eight months, taking part 
in the battles at Cumberland Gap and Clinch 
River. He was in due time discharged and in 
June, 1864 he reenlisted in the 178th regiment, 
O. V. I. Company C, being made orderly ser- 
geant, and for much of the time he was in 
command of his company. He fought at 
Murphreesboro, Tenn., and in December, 1864 
accompanied his regiment to Washington, 
where the 23d Army Corps, of which it formed 



a part was reorganized. They then went by 
sea to Fort Fisher on the steamer Champion 
and took part in the capture of the fort. Later 
they were ordered to Newbern, N. C, and 
marched through North Carolina to Kingston, 
where they fought a battle. General Schofield 
being their commanding officer, and under the 
same general they were present at General Joe 
Johnston's surrender. After spending some 
time with the 23d Corps at Charlotte, N. C, 
doing guard duty, he was finally discharged 
June 29, 1865, having been nearly two years in 
the service, during which time he had had his 
full share of hardship and adventure. 

Returning to his home in Fairfield county, 
he then took up agriculture and stock raising, 
in which he has been very successful. He 
built his present fine residence in 1888. He 
owns altogether 230 acres of land, of which 
160 acres comprises the old home farm and is 
one of the best known and most popular cit- 
izens in this part of the county. He is a 
charter member of Ben Butterfield Post, G. A. 
R., at Lancaster and has held the principal of- 
fices in the Post. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. He served for two years as superin- 
tendent of the Fairfield County Agricultural 
Society and also two years as vice presi- 
dent, and for twelve years as a director of the 
same. 

Mr. Crumley was married Sept. 24, 1868, 
to Rebecca Strode, a daughter of George H. 
Strode, a former well known pioneer citizen 
of Fairfield county. Of this marriage there 
have been four children, namely: Blanche L., 
Cloice H., Ralph L. and Glenn Irving. 
Blanche L., who is now deceased, was the wife 
of H. Orville Mechling. Cloice H. Crumley is 
a mechanical engineer and draftsman in the 
Cooper Engine Works, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. 
Ralph L. and Glenn I. both reside in Hocking 
township. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



749 



GEORGE H. STRODE, father of Mrs. 
Crumley, was born in Berkeley county, Va., 
Jan. 19, 1799. He canie with his father, Ed- 
ward Strode to Fairfield county, O., in 1804, 
and for two years in early life he resided in 
Lancaster. On September 6, 1829, he mar- 
ried Rebecca Arnold, daughter of Daniel Ar- 
nold. In 1830 he removed to Lancaster and 
entered the tanyard of his father-in-law, where 
he learned the tanner's trade. This tanyard 
was on the lots now occupied by a frame row 
on Wheeling street, long known as the Mac- 
Cracken Row. After two years' apprentice- 
ship, he moved to his father's farm in Hocking 
township, where he sank a tanyard and car- 
ried on the business in connection with his 
farm. His son, Thomas Strode, was born in 
Lancaster. George H. Strode was a good cit- 
izen, an intelligent, well read man, and a model 
gentleman in every respect. He was a good 
business man and especially endowed with good 
common sense. He was a Christian from 
childhood, a member of the Methodist church. 
His mother was called " a saintly woman " by 
Bishop Asbury, who preached at her house. 
Mr. Strode reared a large family of children, 
who honor his memory and profit by his ex- 
ample. He died February 5, 1876. 

GRANDVILLE M. TRIMMER,* county 
recorder of Fairfield County, O., has the rep- 
utation of being one of the most efficient and 
popular public officials of this county. He was 
born in Perry County, O., January 4, 1869, 
and is one of a family of five children born to 
his parents who were Conrad and Ella (Glenn) 
Trimmer, the former of whom is now de- 
ceased. 

Grandville M. Trimmer was reared on his 
father's farm and was educated in the public 
schools and at a university. Farming was his 
main business, together with oil operating, un- 



til he took charge of the recorder's office in 
September, 1906, when he moved to Lancas- 
ter where he has since resided, occupying a 
comfortable and attractive residence at No. 
820 N. Broad Street. He is serving in his 
second term as recorder, ha\ ing been reelected 
in Septemljcr, 1909. 

Mr. Trimmer married Miss Grace E. 
Stucker, a daughter of John Stucker, and they 
have one child, Laverta. Mr. and Mrs. Trim- 
mer are members of the Presbyterian church. 
He is identified fraternally with the Masons, 
the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. 

JOHN K. HEXGST. who successfully 
carries on farming and stock raising in 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., owns 
200 acres of valuable land and is one of the 
suijstantial men of this section. He was 
born in Hocking County, O., December 13, 
1844, and is a son of Lewis and Mary (Kel- 
ler) Hengst. 

Lewis Hengst was born in Prussia-Ger- 
many and his wife in Hesse, Germany. The 
former came to America and to Hocking 
County, O., with his father, John Hengst, 
who was born in Prussia. The family lived 
for a short time at Lancaster, O., but soon 
went on into Hocking County. He re- 
mained there until after he had a family of 
Iiis own. wlien he came to Rush Creek 
Township, where he lived at the time of his 
death, in 1901. He was a worthy and re- 
spected citizen, a Democrat in his political 
beliefs, and when he was elected a trustee 
of Rush Creek Township, his fellow citizens 
knew that they had put an honest man in 
office. 

John K. Hengst grew to manhood in 
Hocking County and attended the pulilic 
schools in Washington Township. In 1865 
he accompanied his parents to Rush Creek 



750 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Township, Fairfield County. In 1871 he 
took up a homestead of 80 acres, in Harvey 
County, Kansas, also 400 acres of railroad 
land, on which he resided for six years, and 
for two years in Newton, Kansas, and then 
came back to Fairfield County and has lived 
in Berne Township ever since. 

Mr. Hengst married Miss Mary Clover, 
who was born in Berne Township, a daugh- 
ter of George Clover, and they have two 
children : Luella, who is the wife of Sam- 
uel W. Scott, of Berne Township; and Alva 
R., who is a prospering dental surgeon at 
Columbus, O. Mr. Hengst is a member of 
the First English Lutheran church at Lan- 
caster, O., of which he is a trustee. 

PROF. E. E. RAY,* principal of the 
schools of Basil, C, has been engaged in 
educational work ever since he completed 
his university studies. He was born in 
1875, at Ray, Jackson County, O., and is a 
son of Milton and Florence (Essex) Ray. 

The Rays have been people of good re- 
port in Jackson County for many years and 
the town of Ray was named in honor of the 
great-grandfather of Prof. Ray. He was 
born in North Carolina and went from there 
to Virginia and came by flatboat on the Big 
Sandy and Ohio Rivers to Ohio and was 
the first settler in Jackson County, owning 
1,000 acres of land, about 1800. His son, 
Samuel Ray, was born in Ohio, and he cul- 
tivated many acres of land. He married 
Elizabeth Dickson and they became parents 
of fifteen children. 

Milton Ray, father of Prof. Ray, was born 
on his father's farm near Ray, and has been 
a farmer, mill operator and lumberman and 
is now a railroad man with the B. & O. S. 
W. Railway, and lives at Orient, Pickaway 
County, O. He married Florence Essex, 



a native of Morgan County, O., and they 
have seven children, as follows: E. E.; 
Ella, who is the wife of William Rhodes; 
Estilla, who is the wife of D. LoUes and has 
three children; Homer; Gertrude, who 
married Charles Osburn, and they have one 
son; Harry; and Cora, who married Earl 
Alkire. 

E. E. Ray was educated in the schools 
of Ray and the Ohio Northern LTniversity, 
where he was graduated in 1903. He taught 
his first term of school in Vinton County, 
after which he was superintendent of the 
schools of Scioto Township, Pickaway 
County, for six years. In 1909 he was 
called to Basil as superintendent of the 
schools here and is also superintendent of 
the schools of Liberty Township. He is 
a broad-minded man and progressive edu- 
cator and spares no effort to keep the 
schools under his charge to the highest 
standard of working efficiency. 

Prof. Ray was married to Miss Maud 
Marshall, of Pickaway County, an educated 
lady who for five years had been a teacher 
in Derby Township, and they have two 
children : Edwin, who was born July 30, 
1905; and Mabel, who was born April 15, 
1909. Prof, and Mrs. Ray are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes 
independently and is identified fraternally 
with the Knights of Pythias and belongs 
also to the Grange. 

CHARLES A. PATRICK, who devotes 
his thirty-five acres of land in Violet Town- 
ship, to greenhouse purposes, supplying a 
large trade at Columbus and other points 
with flowers and early vegetables, is one of 
the prosperous business men of this section 
and a citizen who is held in high regard. 
He was born in Violet Township, Fairfield 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



751 



County, O., July 23, 1868, and is a son 
of Thomas H. and Sarah (Poole) Patrick. 

The parents of Mr. Patrick were born in 
England, and soon after their marriage, 
early in the fifties, they emigrated to Amer- 
ica. Before coming to Ohio, they lived in 
the State of New York, and after moving 
to Fairfield County, settled in Violet Town- 
ship. Here Mr. Patrick was engaged in 
farming for many years but when the in- 
firmities of age fell upon him, he retired to 
Reynoldsburg, where he and wife now re- 
side and where, on August 17, 191 1, they 
celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniver- 
sary. Mr. Patrick was an active citizen 
during his many years of residence on his 
farm and successfully used his influence in 
numerous public-spirited movements, being 
notably useful in regard to the establishing 
of good roads. He was largely instrumen- 
tal in bringing about the building of the 
Pickerington & Reynoldsburg turnpike 
road, a highway that reflects credit upon 
the promoters, builders and taxpayers in 
Violet Township. Mr. Patrick and wife 
have the following surviving children, all 
of whom reside in Ohio and all but two in 
Fairfield County. William lives in Violet 
Township. James O. resides in Pike 
County. Belle is the wife of B. F. French 
and they live at Reynoldsburg. Frank S. 
has his home in Licking County. Mary is 
the wife of G. L. Bowen, Clara the wife of 
J. H. Kraner, and Charles A., is the young- 
est — all of whom live in Violet Township. 
The parents of the above family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Charles A. Patrick was reared in Violet 
Township and obtained his education in the 
public schools. Before engaging in the 
greenhouse business, in 1901, he devoted 
himself to general farming and his success 



along general agricultural lines and his 
natural interest in experimenting, turned 
his thoughts in the direction of his present 
enterprise — one in which he could give un- 
divided attention to specialties, such as 
flowers and early vegetables, for which there 
is a constant demand. He has four green- 
houses, each 20x114 feet in dimensions, 
which are heated by a modern hot water 
system, which he finds entirely adequate. 
His specialties are greenhouse flowers, 
lettuce and tomatoes, having a larger de- 
mand in the spring than he can supply. 

Mr. Patrick married Miss Millie Bush, 
who was born in Franklin County, O., and 
is a daughter of Charles Bush, and they 
have two children — Mabel E. and Ralph R. 
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Reynolds- 
burg. Like his father, Mr. Patrick is a 
Democrat in his political views. For some 
four years he served as superintendent of 
the Pickerington & Reynoldsburg turnpike 
road but otherwise has accepted no public 
office. He is a member of the Patrons of 
Husbandry, attending the Grange at Rey- 
noldsburg. 

A. E. HUSTON,* of the Huston & Swope 
Company, at Amanda, O., has been in the 
grain business during almost all of his ac- 
tive career. He was born at Rushville, 
Fairfield County, O., April 10, 1880, a son 
of Alexander E. and Sally (Murphy) 
Huston. 

A. E. Huston was reared and educated at 
Rushville and for a short time he engaged 
in farming and then went into the grain 
business in his native place with G. W. RufF, 
with whom he later came to Amanda, con- 
ducting an elevator here and one at Rush- 
ville at the same time. .After one year, Mr. 



752 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Huston sold his interests and purchased the 
Jacob Balthaser elevator, which he oper- 
ated for five years and then sold to S. B. 
Swope, to become assistant cashier of the 
Farmers & Merchants Bank at Amanda. 
After a few months in that position, he 
associated himself with Mr. Swope under 
the firm name of the Huston & Swope 
Company, which took over the RufT and 
Swope elevators. Operations started Au- 
gust 9, 1909, and have continued, an ex- 
ceedingly large business resulting. During 
1909-1910 they handled 140,000 bushels of 
corn, and during the month of July, 191 1, 
a total of 60,000 bushels of wheat. Air. 
Huston is a stockholder in the Farmers & 
Merchants Bank at Amanda. He is a 
Democrat in politics and is treasurer of the 
village and a member of the school board. 
Mr. Huston was married April 20, 1904, 
to Miss Ethel Lewis, a daughter of John 
W. Lewis, of Rushville, and they have four 
children: Dorothy Gertrude, Theodore 
Lewis, Paul William and Robert Ehvood. 
Mr. Huston belongs to the Masonic lodge 
at Amanda, and to the Odd Fellows at 
Rushville. 

FRANK P. STRAYER, M. D., physi- 
cian and surgeon at Bremen, O., was born 
at Sugar Grove, O., October 23, 1855, and 
is a son of Jacob E. and Sarah E. (Bran- 
don) (Pierce) Strayer, and a grandson of 
Nicholas and Evelyn Strayer. 

Jacob E. Strayer was born in Maryland, 
one of a family of twelve children born to 
Nicholas and Evelyn Strayer, eleven of 
whom were natives of Maryland and one 
of Ohio. While making the overland jour- 
ney in their wagons and camping along the 
way between Maryland and Fairfield 
County, O., the entire family contracted 



small-pox, but all recovered and finally 
reached their destination. They settled in 
the northeastern part of Berne Township, 
two miles from Bremen depot, on 160 acres 
of land which Nicholas Strayer purchased 
and improved after he was fifty years of 
age. At that time he was obliged to haul 
his wheat as far as Zanesville to find a mar- 
ket and often traded a part of it for barrels 
of salt, this commodity being one of the 
necessities on a farm and in those days both 
scarce and expensive. 

Jacob E. Strayer, father of Dr. Strayer, 
was reared on this pioneer farm and assisted 
his father in his agricultural operations. At 
the age of seventeen he was trusted to 
make the necessary long trips to the East 
to dispose of stock from the farm, and drove 
cattle, hogs and sheep as far as Baltimore, 
New York and Philadelphia. In 1841 he 
went to Missouri, where he entered 160 
acres of land in Madison County, on which 
he lived for several years, but as his neigh- 
bors were four miles distant, homesickness 
overcame him and he returned to Fairfield 
County. He married Mrs. Sarah E. (Bran- 
don) Pierce, a widow, who was born in 
Fairfield County and was a daughter of 
William Brandon. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Strayer set- 
tled on a farm in Fairfield County, north- 
west of Amanda, and there their lives were 
spent, the former dying in Berne Township, 
at the age of sixty-seven years and the lat- 
ter at Bremen, in her seventy-fifth year. 
Their burial was in the Pleasant Hill Ceme- 
tery. At times Jacob E. Strayer filled 
township ofifices, being elected to the same 
on the Democratic ticket. He belonged to 
the Masonic fraternity and both he and his 
wife attended the Methodist Episcopal 
church. They had the following children 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



r53 



born to them: William J., now deceased, 
who married Laura Shoemaker, and had 
two children; Eliza J., who is the wife of 
Noah Seifert, and has four children; Anna, 
who died in infanc\'; Frank P., subject of 
this sketch; Florence A., who is the wife of 
S. W. Lehman, of Bremen, and has one 
child; Charles B., residing in Illinois, who 
married Lillie Fox ; and Ellen E., who is 
the wife of J. W. Haney, of Oregon, and 
has nine children. 

Frank P. Strayer went from the public 
schools to Worthington Normal LTniversity 
and then to Delaware College, but illness 
prevented his completing the collegiate 
course. Later he studied medicine under 
the late Dr. Frampton, at Bremen, O.. at- 
tended lectures at the Athens Medical Col- 
lege, and then entered the Ohio Medical 
College at Columbus, where he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1879, immediately 
afterward locating at Bremen, where his 
fine oiflce has been much admired. He was 
one of the organizers of the First National 
Bank at Bremen, of which he is a director, 
and has been otherwise interested in local 
afifairs of importance. In 1892 he started 
the movement for the improvement of the 
public roads in Fairfield County, and as 
evidence of his sincerity and public spirit, 
improved four miles between Bremen and 
Berne — a tract known as the Strayer road. 
Along this he has planted both shade and 
fruit trees, having the practical idea that 
the fruit produced would pay for the im- 
provements, in fact making this tract a 
kind of object lesson. 

Dr. .Strayer is a valued member of the 
Ohio State and Fairfield County Medical 
Societies. He served as a member of the 
first town council of Bremen, being elected 
on the Citizens' ticket, and for several years 



was also a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion. He is a charter member of the 
Masonic lodge at Bremen, and belongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal church of this 
place. 

BENJAMIN D. CLUMP,* a representa- 
tive citizen of Pleasant Township, a mem- 
ber of its board of trustees and the owner 
of seventy-seven acres of well tilled land, 
was born in Hocking County, O., April 27, 
1866, and is a son of Christian and Mary 
(Rufif) Clump. 

The parents of Mr. Clump were born in 
Germany and the mother is now deceased. 
The father was quite young when his par- 
ents brought him to America. They settled 
in Hocking County, O., and spent the rest 
of their lives there. Christian Clump moved 
with his family from Hocking to Fairfield 
County more than thirty years since, liv- 
ing for a short time near Baltimore, O., 
and then settling in Pleasant Township and 
engaging in farming. He is a member of 
the Lutheran church. Of his children the 
following survive: Edward T., of Shelby 
County. 111.; Benjamin D., Charles, Eman- 
uel and Emma, all living in Pleasant Town- 
ship; and Clara, wife of John Haines, a far- 
mer in Pleasant Township. 

Benjamin O. Clump was about twelve 
years old when his parents came to Fairfield 
County and he attended several terms of 
school afterward. General farming has 
been his main business and he has made it 
profitable. He married Elizabeth Strayer, 
who was born in Fairfield County, O., a 
daughter of Benjamin Strayer, of Berne 
Township, and they have one daughter, 
Sylvia M., who is a student in the Lancas- 
ter High School. Mr. Clump and family 
belong to the Lutheran church, in which he 



754 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



is a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He is a man who possesses the confidence 
of his fellow citizens and is serving in his 
second term as a trustee of Pleasant Town- 
ship. 

J. MADISON JACKSON, who has re- 
sided on his present valuable farm of 62 
acres, situated in Greenfield Township, 
Fairfield County, O., since 1882, is a repre- 
sentative citizen of this section, widely 
known and highly respected. He was born 
September 29, i860, in Good Hope Town- 
ship, Hocking County, O., a son of Henry 
H. and Eliza (Jones) Jackson. 

Henry H. Jackson was born in Berne 
Township, Fairfield County, O., a son of 
John Jackson, who was an early settler 
there. Later he moved to Hocking County 
and while living in Good Hope Township, 
near Sugar Grove, served as township, clerk 
and as school director. His brother. Col. 
Ezra P. Jackson, who served in the Civil 
War, became a well known contractor and 
builder, erecting structures of all kinds in 
Hocking, Fairfield and Franklin Counties, 
Ohio. For several years he was officially 
connected with the Boys' Industrial School 
near Lancaster, O. Henry H. Jackson 
moved to Fairfield County in 1882. He 
married Eliza Jones, who was born in 
Hocking County, and of their children the 
living are as follows: George W., of Car- 
roll, O. ; Emma, wife of Frank Pletch, of 
Frankfort, Ind. ; Edward; J. Madison, sub- 
ject of this sketch; Ezra; Charles B. and 
Homer D., of Chicago, 111.; and Wesley. 
Henry H. Jackson and wife were members 
of the Advent church. 

J. Madison Jackson has been engaged in 
agricultural pursuits since he completed his 
attendance at school. His farm shows the 



effects of careful cultivation and he devotes 
it to general farming and stock raising. On 
January 23, 1890, he was married to Miss 
Carrie Young, a daughter of John S. and 
Ara A. (Kiger) Young, of Greenfield 
Township, the latter — Mrs. Young — being 
now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have 
one child, a daughter, Mayme, who is at- 
tending school at Carroll. The parents 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Carroll and Mrs. Jackson is ac- 
tive in the Ladies' Aid Society and in the 
Womans' Christian Temperance Union. In 
politics Mr. Jackson is a Republican. 

JOHN HOSLER,* who is one of the 
substantial and representative citizens of 
Fairfield County, O., is a large landowner 
in several sections of the county, having 200 
acres in Clear Creek Township, and 283 
acres in Amanda Township. He was born 
in Amanda Township, February 28, 1855. 
His one brother, Joseph Hosier, is engaged 
in the farm implement business at Amanda, 
Ohio. 

John Hosier was educated in the public 
schools of Amanda and Tarlton and since 
then has devoted himself to agriculture, 
working on the homestead until he reached 
man's estate and then assuming responsi- 
bilities of his own. With the exception of 
five years he has resided on his present 
Amanda Township farm all his married life. 
He was married March 29, 1882, to Miss 
Ida Lutz, a daughter of Daniel and Jemima 
(Dreisbach) Lutz, who were farming peo- 
ple in Clear Creek Township. Mrs. Hosier 
is the youngest member of the family, the 
other survivors being a brother, John, and 
a sister, Jennie, who is the wife of Dr. R. B. 
Miller, who is a practicing physician of Chi- 
cago, 111. One brother, Nelson, is deceased. 




MR. AND .MRS. FRANCIS REICHELDEEFER 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



755 



Mr. and Mrs. Hosier have three children: 
Jessie, who is the wife of Frank Bussard, a 
resident of Chicago; Fred, who lives at 
home ; and Ralph, who is a student of medi- 
cine at Columbus and a graduate in phar- 
macy. Mr. and Mrs. Hosier attend the 
Presbyterian church. In politics he is a 
Republican. 

FRANCIS REICHELDERFER, who, 
with his brother, James Reicheklerfer, con- 
ducts business in Amanda Tow nship, under the 
name of The Fairfield Canning Company, Inc., 
is an experienced man in the line of business 
he follows and is a valued citizen of this sec- 
tion. He was born in Salt Creek Township. 
Pickaway County, Ohio, July 20, 1859, and is 
a son of Samuel and Sarah Reichelderfer. 

In the early settlement of Pickaway County, 
Ohio, Jacob Reichelderfer came as a pioneer 
from Berks County, Pa., bringing with him the 
industry and thrift inherited from sturdy Ger- 
man ancestors, and in Salt Creek Township he 
developed a farm. On that farm Samuel 
Reichelderfer was born in 181 3, and in his 
childhood saw Indians and when older hunted 
game in the forests that then covered that now- 
cultivated section. He was a farmer all his 
life and died in 1875, his widow surviving 
until July, 1890. They had the following chil- 
dren : Amos, who died in Delaware County, 
Ohio, aged forty-eight years; Caroline, who 
died in Salt Creek Township, was the wife of 
Nelson Avis; Elizabeth, who die<l in Pickaway 
County, was the wife of Lewis Jones; Ira, 
who was formerly a commissioner of Pick- 
away County, and lives in Salt Creek Town- 
ship; James, w-ho is associated with his brother 
Francis in the canning business and resides in 
Circleville, where he is interested also in the 
Sears & Nichols Canning Company; William, 

who died in Salt Creek Township, aged nine- 
4a 



teen years; Charles, who died, aged seventeen 
years ; Susan, who was twelve years old at the 
time of death; Sarah, who is the wife of 
Daniel Heffner, of Salt Creek Township; 
Francis, subject of this sketch; Jacob, who 
died in 1895, ^^lien aged thirty-four years; 
and two babes that died unnamed. 

P'rancis Reichelderfer attended llic country 
schools in boyhood and remained on the home 
farm until about 1897, when he went to Circle- 
ville, Ohio, where he remained for one year, 
and in 1898 came to Amanda. In association 
with his brother James he built the elevator 
now operated by the Huston & Swope Com- 
pany, dealers in grain and farm implements. 
In 190J the l""airhel(l Canning Company built 
the present plant in .\manda Township, which 
is well equipped and lias a capacity of about 
40,000 cans of peas, corn, tomatoes or pump- 
kin, per day. Present business prospects are 
excellent, and the products turned out by this 
company have won a ready sale on account of 
their superiority. 

On November _>, 1882, Mr. Reichelderfer 
was married to Miss Sarah Dresbach, who 
was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is a 
tlaughter of Samuel and Hannah (Rauck) 
Dresbach, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, 
respectively. Mr. Dresbach died in 1875 ^"^^ 
his widow December 2, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. 
Reichelderfer have had four children : Samuel 
Dresbach, Lyman D., Vest D. and Karl D. 
Samuel D. was born November 14, 1884, and 
is a graduate of Bliss Business College and 
also of the Northern Illinois College of Oph- 
thalmology and Otology, and is lx)okkeeper for 
the Fairfield Canning Company... He is active 
in politics and is clerk of both the village and 
town of /Kmanda and also of the township 
school board. Lyman D., the second son, was 
born December 18, 1886, and died aged about 
eight months. Vest D., bom November 29, 



756 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



1890, after graduating from the public schools 
of Amanda, attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- 
versity at Delaware for two years and then 
entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, 
where he is completing his third year of study. 
Karl D. was born July 6, 1894, and is a stu- 
dent in the Amanda schools. Mr. Reichelder- 
fer and family are members of the Presbyte- 
rian church, in which he is an elder. He is a 
Democrat in politics and has filled the office of 
mayor of Amanda for two terms and has also 
served two terms on the village council. He is 
a dependable citizen and a wide awake business 
man. 

THOMAS JONES, who, for nearly a 
cjuarter of a century has been a justice of 
the peace in Berne Township, and has held 
other public offices, resides on a finely cul- 
tivated farm of twenty acres, which he de- 
votes largely to garden truck and fruit 
growing. He was born in Perry County, 
O., June 23, 1855, s'lcl is a son of Andrew J. 
and Catherine (Jourdan) Jones. 

Andrew W. Jones was born in Perry 
County, O., and was a son of John Jones, a 
native of Virginia and of Welsh parentage. 
John Jones and wife were early settlers in 
Perry County and there Andrew J. Jones 
was reared, moving some time previous to 
the outbreak of the Civil War, to Fairfield 
County and settling at Sugar Grove, where 
he followed his trade of shoemaker. He 
served one year in the war but owing to 
disability was discharged at the end of that 
period and died in Berne Township when 
over fifty years of age. Of his children 
three survive : Thomas ; Eliza, wife of 
James Johnson, of Pickaway County; and 
Elizabeth, wife of F. M. Hall, of Berne 
Township. 

Thomas Jones was young when his par- 



ents moved to Fairfield County and his 
rearing was in Berne Township, where he 
attended school and afterward learned the 
shoemaking trade with his father. He fol- 
lowed his trade for a number of years but 
latterly has given much of his attention to 
his farm pursuits. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and on numerous occasions has been 
selected by his fellow citizens for offices of 
responsibility. He is serving as assessor of 
Berne Precinct, for several years has been 
a notary public and for twenty-five years a 
justice of the peace. He is also a member 
of the school board and has been its presi- 
dent. 

Mr. Jones was married first to Miss Anna 
Sherbern, a daughter of Joseph Sherbern, 
formerly of Berne Township, and they had 
two children : Albert L. and William J. 
His second marriage was also in Berne 
Township, to Miss Mary Tipple, a daughter 
of Noah Tipple, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Hazel, who is a student at Crawfis In- 
stitute, in Berne Township. Mr. Jones and 
family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, in which he takes an active 
interest and promotes in every way the de- 
velopment of the Sunday-school, which he 
believes is the cradle of the church. 

AUBREY E. LEITH,* a prosperous 
general farmer, owning 117 acres of fertile 
land in Walnut Township, was born on his 
present farm, October 8, 1876, a son of 
Leslie W. and Rebecca C. (McNaghten) 
Leith. His paternal grandfather was Isaac 
Lowery Leith, also a resident of this town- 
ship, where the father of our subject was 
born August 9, 1845. The latter, Leslie 
W. Leith, is now the postmaster at Pasa- 
dena, California. His wife, who was a 
daughter of David Y. McNaghten, was born 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



r57 



February 17, 1848, and died November 2-j, 
1898, when in lier fifty-first year. She and 
her husband were the parents of three chil- 
dren, namely: Aaron, born in 1871, who 
died in 1877; William M., born in 1874, 
who lived but a few years, dying in 1878; 
and Aubrey Eugene, whose name apepars 
at the head of this sketch. 

Aubrey E. Leith was reared to manhood 
in his native township and in his youth at- 
tended the district school, later graduating 
from Fairfield Union Academy in 1897. He 
then returned to the farm, which he pur- 
chased in 1900 and which is the old Mc- 
Naghten farm originally entered by his 
grandfather. He has since remodeled the 
buildings and made many other important 
improvements, transforming it into a very 
desiral)le piece of agricultural property. 
Here he follows general farming and also 
raises Percheron horses, Duroc hogs, cat- 
tle, etc., his stock being all of high grade. 
He is a stockholder in the Pleasantville 
Bank and has a well established reputation 
as one of the township's prosperous and 
representative citizens. He belongs to the 
Masonic and Pythian lodges at Pleasant- 
ville and in politics is a Republican. 

Mr. Leith was married January 23, 1901, 
to Nettie Barr, a daughter of Jacob and 
Mabel (Friend) Barr, and has one child, 
Donald Barr Leith. 

ALBERT HOFFMAN, chairman of the 
school board of Berne Township, Fairfield 
County, O., and a highly respected citizen of 
this section, was born in this township, Au- 
gust 17, 1857, and is a son of J. Frederick and 
Rebecca M. (Martens) Hoffman. 

The father of Mr. Hoffman was born in 
Wiirtemburg, Germany, but the mother was 
born in Madison Township, Fairfield County. 



J. Frederick Hoffman came to America in 1832 
with his parents and lived with them for sev- 
eral years at Hagerstown, Md. The family 
came from there to Fairfield County, O., and 
lived for a time at Lancaster. They then took 
up their residence in Hocking Township, Fair- 
field County, just west of the city, and re- 
mained there for a period of twelve years, sub- 
sequently settling on the property in Berne 
Township on which the subject of this sketch 
now resides. 

While living west of Lancaster, J. Frederick 
Hoffman became a member of a military or- 
ganization known as the "German Guards." 
This company was under the command of Cap- 
tain Witte, also a native of Germany, who had 
received his military training in his native land. 
This company, as also others at that time, was 
an independent organization — that is, they 
were not under governmental laws, but owned 
their own uniforms, arms, etc. They also had 
their own musical organization, a good mili- 
tary band — mostly (iermans. At the time 
when the corner stone was laid for the first 
State House at Columbus, this company re- 
ceived first honors, and occupied front ranks 
during the ceremonies. On this occasion they 
made the journey to the capital by canal boat, 
leaving Lancaster in the morning and arriving 
at Columbus at "candle-light." This military 
organization remained in existence until the 
time of the Mexican War, (1845-48), when 
many of its memliers enlisted in the U. S. army 
and the company finally disbanded. J. Fred- 
erick Hoffman died October 24, 1894; his 
widow survived him until November 7, 1904. 
Of their five children, four survive, namely: 
Albert, David M.. Amelia J. and Charles F. 
Mary M., the other child, is deceased. Mr. 
Hoffman was a successful farmer and an hon- 
est and upright man. He was a member of the 
Lutheran church. 



ibS 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Vlbert Hoffman grew to man's estate in 
Berne Township. He tended the country 
schools and has always been interested in the 
cause of education. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and has served two terms as road super- 
\isor and for four years served as assessor of 
Berne Precinct. In 1900 he was electetl a 
member of the school l)oard, of which he has 
been chairman for several years. He is a mem- 
l)er of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, near North 
Berne, in which he has served as deacon, ves^ 
tryman and financial secretary. A brother, 
David M. Hoffman, has been organist of the 
church for over a quarter of a century, while 
another brother, Charles F., has served as dea- 
con and vestryman and is now treasurer of the 
church cemetery. The family has been lib- 
eral in its support to this church and are among 
its most devout members. 

HENRY A. CASSIDY,* superintendent of 
the public schools of Lancaster, O., is a man 
of scholarly attainments and of long exper- 
ience in educational work. He was born in 
Ireland and was educated at Marlborough Col- 
lege, Dublin, and in that city noted for its 
learning and culture, first entered upon educa- 
tional work, which he later continued in Eng- 
land and still later in America. 

Mr. Cassidy spent some years as a teacher 
at Worthing, County Sussex, England. In 
1888 he came to America and in the following 
year became principal of the High School ^t 
Bellefontaine, O., where he continued until 
1902. In that year he came to Lancaster, ac- 
cepting the position of principal of the Lan- 
caster High School, and in 1903 was made 
superintendent of schools. 

Mr. Cassidy is a member of the Presbyter- 
ian church. His only fraternal connection is 
with the Masons. 



E. B. McCULLOUGH, a prominent citizen 
of Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, 
().. whose 240 acres of fine land is separated 
into two farms, lives in Section 25, where he 
was born, April 20, 1863. He is a son of Wil- 
liam and a grandson of W^illiam McCullough. 

Grandfather \Mlliam McCullough was born 
in Ireland and was eighteen years of age when 
he came to America, locating first in Pennsyl- 
\ania. He \vas twice married there, his first 
wife leaving one son, and his second five chil- 
dren. She belonged to the same Calhoun fam- 
ily that gave John C. Calhoun, lawyer and 
statesman, to the country. To this marriage 
were born : Alexander, William, Rebecca, 
Nancy and Margaret. After the second mar- 
riage, William McCullough came with his fam- 
ily to I'^airfield County, O., settling on the land 
which now is the home of his grandson, E. B., 
and the old sheepskin deed, in the latter's pos- 
session, bears the signature of James Monroe, 
President of the United States. After the 
death of his second wife, in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Grandfather McCullough married a Miss 
Nelson, who was a native of Hocking County, 
O., and iive children were bom to them : Rob- 
ert, James, Samuel, Elizabeth and Sarah. Wil- 
liam McCullough died in 1857, on what is 
called the upper farm, his third wife surviving 
him for some years. They ^\ere members of 
the Presbyterian church. 

William McCullough, father of E. B. Mc- 
Cullough, attended school in Rush Creek 
Township and as he was gifted in music, he 
taught it for a time in early manhood and was 
interested in it all his life. He remained at 
home and helped to clear the land, until his 
marriage, when he settled on a farm in Mon- 
day Creek Township, Perry County, near 
Streightsville, where, for twelve years he op- 
erated a saw-mill and a water-mill. During 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



Toil 



the coal l)oom in that section, he sold eighty 
acr.es of his land for $6,000, which afterward 
was sold for $50,000. He then returned to 
l^-iirfield County and at the time of death, in 
1883, he owned 320 acres of partly improved 
land. He w as a man of importance wherever 
he lived and was an influential member of the 
Democratic party. It was a matter of gen- 
eral knowledge that he was the best informed 
man im all questions while li\ing in Perry 
County, where he was a trustee of Monday 
Creek Township. Pie attended all the early 
Democratic conventions in Fairfield County, 
as a delegate, and had he so desired might 
have held many official ]iositions. He was one 
of the first stockholders of the C. AI. V. Rail- 
road, then the P^airfield County, and also of 
the B. & O. Railroad, the latter at that time 
being a losing investment. 

He married Elizabeth Nixon, who \\as Ixirn 
near Clarksl)urg, \'a., and came with her par- 
ents, John and Rebecca Nixon, to near Max- 
ville, Perry County, O. She lived to the age 
of eighty-six years and both she and her hus- 
band were buried in P>ethel Cemetery. They 
were memliers of the Presbyterian church. 
They had the following children : an infant son 
that died unnamed; Sarah .\nn, who died in 
infancy; Rebecca, now deceased, who mar- 
ried first, John Larmer, and secondly I larris 
Wilson; Jane, who is the wife of ^^'illiam Mar^ 
tin, of Perry County, O. ; Lucinda, who lives 
in Perry County, the widow of Hilus McCune, 
who died April 25, 191 1; Samuel, owner of 
one of the largest farms in Hardin County, 
O., who married Ann Jane Wright, of Fair- 
field County; Margaret, who is the wife of 
Jacob Barnes, and resides near Somerset, O. ; 
Nancy, who is the wife of Calvin Sherburn, 
and lives in Shell)y County, 111. ; William, re- 
siding in Rush Creek Township, who married 
Mary E. Rowles ; Caroline, deceased, who was 



the wife of Judge Focht. of Perry County: 
and E. B., of Rush Creek Township, I*"airfiekl 
County. 

The youngest member of the family, E. B. 
McCullough remained at home, grew up on 
this farm and obtained his education in the 
local schools. He became the owner of his 
I wo farms through purchase and has spent his 
life here, making many improvements and 
bringing farming and stock raising to a high 
standard. His land is situated three miles 
southeast of Bremen, O. I'\)rmerly he raised 
sheep as well as other stock but n(j longer gives 
attention to that branch, but makes something 
of a specialty of raising fine horses. Mr. Mc- 
Cullough follows agriculture along modern 
lines and had much to do with the organiza- 
tion of \iuA\ Creek Grange, serving as its first 
worthy Master. In addition to his large agri- 
cultural interests, he has numerous others, in- 
cluding investments in the Flagdale Oil and 
(las Company; the Mid(llet(nvn Oil and Gas 
Company; the (leneva Oil and Gas Company, 
and is a stockholder and one of the directors 
of the I'irst National Bank of Bremen, He 
has been a lifelong Democrat and for seven 
years has been a trustee of Rush Creek town- 
ship. 

In October, 1884, Mr. McCullough was mar- 
ried to Miss Etta Hodge, who was Iwrn in 
Rush Creek Township, a daughter of Isaac 
and .Matilda Hodge, and they have had three 
children: judson, who resides on one of his 
father's farms, married .Nellie Blosser and 
they have one daughter, Bessie Irene ; Forrest. 
who died froiu an attack of measles when .she 
was only seven months old; and I'earl, who 
resides at home. He has won honors ever 
since he has attended school, pa.st the Patter- 
son test at the age of 10 years, in iQoS, and is 
now a student in the Bremen High School, this 
being his third year. Mr. McCullough belongs 



760 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



to Crescent Lodge No. 561, Odd Fellows, at 
Bremen, O., and also to the Masonic lodge at 
Bremen, O. For twenty-three years he has 
been a member of the school board of Rush 
Creek Township, and, in fact, has taken a 
leading part in all matters of public concern 
in this section, since early manhood. 

WILLIAM K. THOMPSON,* a leading 
citizen of Walnut Township, Fairfield County, 
O., engaged in general farming and stock rais- 
ing on his valuable farm of 169 acres, which 
lies in section 19, was born October 11, 1839, 
on his present farm, in the log house that his 
father erected after he purchased this land. 
His parents were Moses and Anna (Kalb) 
Thompson. 

Moses Thompson was born in Pennsylvania 
and in boyhood accompanied his parents to 
Fairfield County, where they settled in the 
woods of Walnut Township and spent the rest 
of their lives among early pioneer conditions. 
They had two daughters and four sons : Eliza- 
beth, who became the wife of John Coble ; Ann, 
who married John Yates ; and William, Moses, 
Jesse and John, the youngest of whom died 
in childhood. Of this family, William bought 
a one-half section in Walnut Township, Jesse 
located near the reservoir, while Moses bought 
what is now the farm of his son, William K. 
Thompson. On this land he built first a log 
cabin and later replaced it with a larger and 
better house, and here his death occurred in 
1862, when aged sixty-nine years. He was 
twice married, first to Anna Kalb. who died 
when her son, \^'illiam K., was a child, and 
second to Mrs. Malinda (Bowes) Sites, a 
widow and a native of Virginia. Four chil- 
dren were born to the first union: Mary Jane, 
who was the wife of James K. Groves, both 
now deceased; Elizabeth, who married Peter 



B. Cool ; Wliliam Keififer ; and Serena, now de- 
ceased, who was the wife of \\^illiam Haver. 
No children were born to the second marriage. 

William K. Thompson has spent his long 
and busy life on his old birth farm, a privilege 
that in these days of change is not afforded 
e\ery one. In boyhood he attended the district 
school and many of his neighbors were com- 
rades in his early days. Being an only son 
he assumed responsibilities early and gave his 
father much assistance. When the father died 
one half of the farm came to him and his 
youngest sister and they bought the other half 
and subsequently the entire farm came into Mr. 
Thompson's possession. He has devoted his 
land to crop raising and stock producing and 
has prospered in his undertakings. In 1884 he 
erected his commodious brick residence, one 
of the best in the township. For some years 
he has been more or less retired, having given 
over the management of the farm to his young- 
est son. Carl. 

Mr. Thompson was married March 30, 
1865, to Miss Sophia M. Jeffries, a daughter of 
James and Mary Jeffries, and a cousin of the 
ex-champion heavyweight, James J. Jeffries, 
now of California. The following children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson ; James 
D., a resident of Walnut Township, who mar- 
ried Minnie Spettler; Elizabeth and Ada, both 
of whom died when aged seventeen years; 
William, living at Kirkersville, O., who mar- 
ried Essie Baughman ; Verda Claude, who is 
the wife of George Seymour, and lives in Lick- 
ing County; Herbert, who lives at Outville, O., 
and who married Effie Cunningham ; Amanda ; 
Jasper, who lives at Millersport, and who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Huston ; and Carl, on the home 
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a 
Republican in politics and has served in the 
office of township trustee. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



761 



PHILIP SCHMELZER, who is one of 
Rush Creek Township's most substantial and 
enterprising citizens, was born in Rush Creek, 
Fairfield County, O., October 24, 1857. He 
is a son of John Schmelzer and a brother 
of John N. Schmelzer. and in partnership with 
the latter has a half interest in 436 acres of 
land. Tiie brothers are also interested together 
and individually in a number of business en- 
terprises of this section. 

The grandfather of the subject of this sketch 
was Blasius Schmelzer, who was born in Ba- 
varia, Germany, and who came to the United 
States in 1840, accompanied by his wife and 
six sons, namely : John, Gerdon, Anthony, An- 
selm, Leopold and Otto. After remaining in 
New York a year, they moved west to Perry 
County, Ohio, and from there came to Fair- 
field County, settling in Bremen. They w'ere 
mainly engaged in farming. Blasius Schmel- 
zer lived to the age of 76 years, and his wife 
to that of ninety. Their five eldest sons are 
all deceased. The youngest. Otto, is yet living 
— in Van \\'ert County, Ohio. 

Philip Schmelzer obtained his education in 
the schools of Rush Creek Township and ever 
since has been more or less engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. He located on his present farm 
two years after his marriage and erected the 
commodious farm buildings that he utilizes. 
He has devoted much of his attention to breed- 
ing high grade cattle and hogs and at present 
owns a fine herd of thirty-five head of Short- 
horn cattle. Mr. Schmelzer lias numerous in- 
vestments outside of his farm and stock and 
among these may be mentioned the following 
successful enterprises with which he is con- 
cerned. He is one of the charter members of 
the Bremen Banking Company, of Bremen, O., 
in which he is a stockholder; and is also a 
stockholder in the Flagdale Oil and Gas Com- 
pany, the Middletown Oil and Gas Company, 



the Mt. Hope Oil and Gas Company and the 
Geneva Oil and Gas Company, being also a 
director in several of these. In politics he is a 
Democrat and has sened for three terms as 
a meintjer uf the school board in Rush Creek 
Township. 

On November 22, 1887, Mr. Schmelzer was 
married to Miss Catherine Noll, who was born 
in Hocking County, O., a daughter of Oliver 
and Elizabeth Noll, who now resides at Lan- 
caster, O. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Schmelzer had four 
children — Edward, Elizabeth, Henry and 
Clement E. Mrs. Schmelzer died March 18, 
1902, aged 34 years, and was buried at Sacred 
Heart Chapel, Geneva, O. Her husband and 
four children survive. They are members of 
the Roman Catholic church. 

W. B. SAGER,* general farmer and stock 
raiser and one of the reliable and respected 
citizens of Liberty Township, Fairfield County, 
O., resides on his well improved farm of sixty- 
five acres which is situated three miles north- 
west of Basil, O. He was born in 1867, on 
Iiis father's farm two miles north of this place, 
and is a son of .\braliam and Naomi ( Gaselle) 
Sager. 

The parents of Mr. Sager were natives also 
of Fairfield County. The father was aged 
sixtjj-one years at time of death and had been 
a farmer all his active life. There were six 
children in the family, namely: Mrs. Jennie 
Coff, W. B., Dallas, David, Charles and Min- 
nie. Dallas is deceased. All the survivors 
reside in Liberty Township with the exception 
of Minnie, who makes her home in Chicago, 
III. 

With his brothers and sisters, W. B. Sager 
attended the public schools in Liberty Town- 
ship and has spent almost his entire life on his 
present fanu. having been absent for four 
years during which period he followed farm- 



762 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ing in Huntington County, Ind. The Sager 
farm is one of the best improved and most 
carefully cultivated properties in this section, 
and, while not so large as many others, in 
volume of crop production and output of fine 
stock, is far above the average. 

Mr. Sager married Miss Emma Realhom, 
who was born in Liberty Township, and they 
have four children : Ethel, who married Rus- 
sell Miller; and Dottie, Maude and Paul. Mr. 
Sager and family are members of the Evan- 
gelical church. He has never been unduly ac- 
tive in politics but has always voted with the 
Democratic party. 

ALLEN J. FREISNER,* one of the well 
known and much respected citizens of Fair- 
field County, C, resides on his farm of 
eighty-five acres, which is situated in Rush 
Creek Township, one and a half miles south 
of West Rushville and two and a half miles 
north of Bremen, an excellent location for 
both business purposes and for social life. 
He was born March 28, 1850, in Fairfield 
County, a son of Benjamin and Lydia 
(Stemen) Freisner. 

Benjamin Freisner was born in Pennsyl- 
vania and in early manhood came to Fair- 
field County and engaged in farming in 
Rush Creek Township, where his death oc- 
curred at the age of forty- four years. He 
married Lydia Stemen, a daughter of Isaac 
Stemen, of Rush Creek Township, and they 
had the following children: Benton, who 
lives at West Rush Creek; Ellen, who mar- 
ried George \\'olfinger, of Lancaster, and 
has three children — Margaret, Oscar and 
Earl; Frank P., who resides with his fam- 
ily at Columljus, O., and has two children — 
Fay and Grace; Mary, who married Charles 
Hodgson, of Columbus; Emma, who is the 
wife of George Hillon, of Bremen, and has 



one son, Lester ; Sarah, who is the wife of 
Freeman Sedwell, residing near Colfax, C, 
and has six children — Blanche, Zena, Goldie, 
Mabel, Murray and Russell; and Allen J. 

Allen J. Freisner has devoted his atten- 
tion to farming and stock raising since he 
reached man's estate. He married Miss 
Lydia J. Yost, a daughter of David Yost, 
and they have had two children, one of 
whom died in infancy. The survivor, Stan- 
ley W. Freisner, is a farmer in Rush Creek 
Township. He married Fay Besse who was 
born at Bremen, C, and they have one son, 
Allen B. Mr. Freisner and family are mem- 
l)ers of the Lniited Presbyterian church, in 
which he is a member of the board of trus- 
tees. He is prominent in Democratic poli- 
tics and is a member of the Fairfield County 
Democratic Central Committee. For thir- 
teen years he was a director of the county 
fair association and was president of the 
township school board. 

GEORGE W. MACKLIN,* who resides 
on his well cultivated farm of over seventy- 
nine acres, situated in Pleasant Township. 
Fairfield County, O., is a well known and 
highly respected citizen of this section and 
belongs to an old settled family of the 
county. He was born in Pleasant Town- 
ship, October 8, 1850, and is a son of Sam- 
uel and Elizabeth (Arnold) Macklin. 

The founder of the Macklin family in 
Fairfield County was Rev. Tewalt Mack- 
lin, who was born in Pennsylvania and came 
to Ohio as one of the pioneer ministers of 
the United Brethren church, taking up his 
residence in Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County. He reared a family here and one 
of his sons, Samuel Macklin, became the 
father of George W. Macklin, of Pleasant 
Township. George Macklin spent his 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



763 



eighty-one years of iife in this township. 
He was a farmer and stock raiser. His 
political support was given to the Republi- 
can party and he was one of the pillars of 
the U. B. church in this section. 

George W. JMacklin attended school in 
Pleasant Township and has devoted his at- 
tention ahiiost exclusively to farming and 
stock raising. He is a RepubHcan in poli- 
tics and has served as school director in his 
district. On October 15, 1888, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Laura A. Hand, who was born 
January 25, 1861, at Logan, Hocking 
County. O., a daughter of David S. T. and 
Margaret E. (Bragg) Hand, the former of 
whom was born in Pennsylvania and the 
latter in West Virginia. They moved to 
Hocking County after marriage and lived 
at Logan, where they died. They were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

W. R. OSBOURNE, proprietor of a gen- 
eral store at Baltimore, O., is widely known 
all over Fairfield County, having been en- 
gaged in educational work here for eigh- 
teen consecutive years. He was born in 
Licking County. O., not far from Newark, 
in 1861, and is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Brake) Osbourne. 

John Osbourne was born in Virginia but 
came to Licking County in boyhood and 
spent the remainder of his life here, dying 
at the age of thirty-five years. He married 
Elizabeth Brake and their children were : 
W. R.; M. E., E. M., J. L.. Amelia E., the 
wife of Charles Shoaf, and Brice O. 

W. R. Osbourne attended school at Han- 
over, O., and was young when he 1)ecame a 
teacher, for fourteen years teaching school 
in Licking County. He resumed educa- 
tional work after coming to Fairfield 



County, where he passed eighteen more 
)'ears in the schoolroom and for some time 
was superintendent of the schools of Lib- 
erty Township. For six years he was prin- 
cipal of the schools of Brownsville ; for 
seven years of those of Thurston; for five 
years at Pleasantville and for one year at 
.Millcrs])()rt. On July 28, 1908, he eni- 
i)arkcd in the mercantile business at Balti- 
more and carries a general stock of goods 
including dry goods, groceries and shoes. 
He is a Republican in politics. 

On December 26, 1882, Mr. Osbourne 
was married to Miss Tacey Holmes, of 
P)rownsville, Licking County, and they have 
three children : O. O., who resides in 
Columbus, O., married Bertha White and 
has two children — Raymond W. and Lowell 
E. ; Inez, a highly educated young lady, who 
is teacher of Latin in the L^rbana schools: 
and Helen, who is the wife of V. R. Gep- 
hart of Pleasantville. Mr. Osbourne and 
family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, where for fifteen years he has 
been superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He is identified fraternally with the Knights 
of Pythias, the Red Men and the A. I. U. 

PROF. CLYTUS E. VALENTINE.* 
one of the well known educators of Fair- 
field County, O.. and a teacher engaged at 
present in the High School of Stoutsville, 
was born in Clear Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, two miles south of this place. 
He is a son of John and Mary (Levan) 
Valentine. 

The father of Professor Valentine was a 
farmer in Clear Creek Township during a 
large part of his life. His death occurred 
in 1888 and his burial was at Circleville, O. 
He was a man of sterling character, honest 
and upright in life and a worthy member of 



764 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the Lutheran church. He was a Democrat 
in his poHtical affihation but was never a 
seeker for public office. He married Mary 
Levan, who survives and she resides at 
Stoutsville with her son Clytus E. A sec- 
ond son, Austin, married Delia Baker and 
they have two sons, Arnold and John. Mrs. 
Valentine is a member of the Reformed 
church. 

Clytus E. Valentine attended school in 
Clear Creek Township and at Stoutsville. 
He began educational work in 1900 and 
taught for two years in his native township 
and is teaching in his ninth term in the 
Stoutsville High School. He attends 
county institutes and keeps fully abreast 
with the times in educational matters and 
is considered an able and efficient instruc- 
three acres of valuable farming land in 
Clear Creek Township. Professor Valen- 
tor. He owns a one-third interest in eighty- 
tine has never married. He is somewhat 
independent in his political views but nom- 
inally is a Democrat. He belongs to Scipio 
Lodge No. 255 Knights of Pythias. 

E. M. HEISTER, whose excellent farm 
of 108 acres lies four and one-half miles 
southeast of Lithopolis, O., in Bloom Town- 
ship, was born in this township, March i, 
1858, and is a son of Daniel and Josephine 
(Hood) Heister. 

Daniel Heister was born on his father's 
old farm in Bloom Township, one mile east 
of the above mentioned property, and there 
followed agricultural pursuits during his 
entire active life, his death occurring in his 
seventy-second year. He married Jose- 
phine Hood, who was a daughter of Allen 
Hood, of Fairfield County, and seven chil- 
dren were born to them : George, Ella, E. 



M., Albert, Ida, John and Elmer, all sur- 
viving except Albert. 

E. M. Heister attended the district 
schools until he was considered old enough 
to take farm responsibilities on himself, and 
since then he has been engaged in farming 
and stock raising. In 1901 he came to his 
present farm, on which he has made many 
substantial improvements and devotes his 
time to still further improving and develop- 
ing the possibilities of his land. Having 
spent his entire life in Bloom Township, 
he is well known and is universally re- 
spected. 

Mr. Heister married Miss Minnie Belote, 
who is a daughter of George Belote, and 
they have three children: Bertha, who is 
the wife of Charles Hummell and has one 
child, Waneta Bernadine ; and Forest and 
Viola. Mr. Heister has never been very ac- 
tive in politics but he casts his vote regu- 
larly for the candidates of the Democratic 
party. 

STEPHEN J. McAULIFFE,* who is a 
well known citizen of Hocking Township, 
where he has resided for twenty years, for 
the past twelve years has lived on his pres- 
ent valuable farm of loi acres, and in addi- 
tion to general agriculture, carries on a 
large business in the buying and shipping of 
horses. He was born April 17. 1865, in 
Madison Township, Fairfield County, O., 
and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Pearce) 
McAulifife. 

Daniel McAulifife was born at Cleveland, 
O., and his wife at Lancaster. He came to 
Fairfield County in early manhood, and for 
some time was employed on the State farm 
south of Lancaster and afterward followed 
farming for a number of years, in Madison 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



765 



Township. He was a self made man and 
was one who commanded the respect of his 
fellow citizens. His death occurred aliout 
1 89 1, but his widow still resides in Hock- 
ing Township, having passed her sixtieth 
birthday. 

Stephen J. ]\lcAuliffe remained in Madi- 
son Township until he was about twenty 
years of age and then, with his mother, 
after the father's death, came to Hocking 
Township. In politics Mr. McAuliffe, like 
his late father, is a Democrat.' He takes a 
good citizen's interest in public matters and 
is serving as a member of the school board. 
He was married in 1899 to Miss Florence 
Charles, who was born in Hocking Town- 
ship and they have had three children : 
Mary, who is deceased ; and James and John 
R., both of whom attend school and are also 
helpful to their father on the home farm. 



until 1899, when he came to Lancaster and 
established his office at No. 355 E. Main 
Street. Dr. Samson has been a close and 
careful student of his science and has had 
abundant experience both in the clinics of 
the great schools in which he received his 
training as well as in a i)rivate practice 
which is now one of large volume. He is a 
member of the State Blind Commission and 
belongs to the National, State and county 
medical societies. 

Dr. Samson married Miss i-"lora H. Mc- 
Clure, who was born at Jackson, O.. and 
they have one daughter, Eva, who was born 
at California, O. Dr. Samson is a Free- 
mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge at 
Lancaster. He is a Republican in politics 
but takes only the interest in public aflfairs 
that every good citizen considers his right 
and duty. 



\V. STANLEY SAMSON, M. D.,* phy- 
sician and surgeon at Lancaster, O., mak- 
ing a specialty of diseases of the eye, nose 
and throat, has been established profession- 
ally in this city since 1899. He was born 
August 23, 1866, at California, O., and is a 
son of E. V. and S. J. (Brown) Samson. 

\\'. Stanley Samson received his early 
education at ^^'averl^^ O.. later entering the 
Lniversity of Cincinnati, where he was 
graduated in the medical department in 
1888. subsequently taking a course in the 
Baltimore INIedical College, at Baltimore, 
Md., where he was graduated in 1893. Dr. 
Samson pursued his medical studies still 
farther, taking one post-graduate course at 
Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, 
and later another at the Chicago Medical 
School, at Chicago, 111. After a short initial 
practice at Wakefield, O., he located at Cali- 
fornia, his birthplace, where he remained 



H. C. ASHTON, M. D., who is in the en- 
joyment of a large medical jiractice at Basil, 
Fairiiekl County, Ohio, where he is also an 
earnest and representative citizen, was born on 
his father's farm in Violet Township, Fair- 
field County, in 1881, and is a son of Thomas 
and Emma (Beals) .\shton. The parents 
were also born in Fairfield County and now 
live retired at Re^noldsburg. Their family 
consisted of seven children. 

H. C. Ashton attended school in Violet 
Township and the High School at Reynolds- 
burg, going from there to the Ohio W'esleyan 
University at Delaware. He completed his 
medical education at Starling Medical College, 
where he was graduated in 1906, when he lo- 
cated at Jacksontown, Licking County, from 
which place he came to Basil in January, 191 1. 
He is identified with various medical bodies 
and keeps thoroughly abreast with the scien- 
tific advancement of his profession. 



766 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Dr. Ashton married Miss Rose Young, of 
Delaware, Ohio, and they ha\'e three children 
—Mildred, Eveline and Chester. Dr. Ashton 
and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Politically the Doctor is a Republican, 
and fraternally he is identified with the Ma- 
sons, the Elks and the Modern Woodmen. 

C. W. ANDREWS, superintendent of 
the schools of Baltimore, O., is a well 
known and thoroughly qualified educator 
and has Ijrought the school standard very 
high in his present position. He was ])orn 
March 12, 1878, at Pleasant Valley, Mus- 
kingum County, O., and is a son of G. W. 
and l'"rances (Raley) Andrews. The 
father, who has been a section foreman for 
the B. & O. Railroad for many years, re- 
sides at Plymouth, O. He married Frances 
Raley and they haA-e six children: Mary, 
C. W., Jessie, Martin, Ruth and Robert. 

C. \V. Andrews attended school at Glen- 
ford, O., after which he became a teacher 
and finding this a congenial profession, he 
has further advanced himself along this line 
and has made it his life work. He has been 
a student in the Ohio University and in 
other institutions and thus is a teacher from 
both choice and training. He has been 
connected with the Baltimore schools since 
1910, coming here from the Pleasant\ille 
schools. 

Mr. Andrews married Miss Ora Cotter- 
man, of Somerset, O., and they have had 
four children : Donald, Paul, Fred and 
Mar}', the eldest being- now deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Andrews are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is identi- 
fied with the Masons. 

WILLIAM H. NYE,* an efficient and 
popular official of Lancaster, O., of which 



he is city auditor, ^vas born in Fairfield 
County, O., March 11, 1866, and is one of a 
family of four children born to his parents 
who were James and Anna (Sherrick) Nye. 
The father was a prosperous farmer in 
b'airfield County for many years and died 
on his own land in 1893, ^t the age of sixty- 
se\en years. He was a highly respected 
and much valued citizen. 

\\'illiam H. Nye was educated in the pub- 
lic schools and for two years engaged in 
teaching in his native county and then es- 
tablished himself in the mercantile business 
in a western state. Subsec|uently he re- 
turned to Ohio and served in a clerical 
position at Lancaster until he was elected 
to his present office, in 1907. In 1909 he 
was reelected and general satisfaction was 
shown. He is an active Republican in his 
views on ]3ublic matters and has been an 
effecti\e party worker. 

Mr. Nye married Miss Jessie M. Wendel 
and they ha\e one son, Charles W. The 
I)leasant family residence is at No. /^j, E. 
Wheeling Street. Mr. and Mrs. Nye are 
members of the Presbyterian church. He 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias. 

JOHN N. SCHMELZER, president of 
the board of trustees of Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., and interested in 
a number of important business enterprises 
of this section and half owner of 536 acres 
of valuable land, resides in section 35, Rush 
Creek Township, three and one-half miles 
south of Bremen, O. He was born in this 
township, October 16, 1858, and is a son of 
John and Gertrude (Myser) Schmelzer. 

John Schmelzer was born in Germany 
and remained in/his native land until he was 
twenty years of age, when he came to 
.\merica and for a short time lived in the 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



767 



city of New York, l-rom there he came to 
Perry County, O., where he lived until he 
came to Bremen, where he was in the to- 
l)acco business for six years and then 
l)Ought a farm of fifty-three acres. Mter 
his marriage he left that farm and liought 
the one of lOO acres in section ,:53, Ivusli 
Creek Township, on which his son John X. 
resides, and fifty-three years ago erected 
farm buildings. The residence is still stand- 
ing but the barn was destroyed by hre. He 
carried on farming and also, for several 
years, operated a butcher shop at I^ancas- 
ter. He was a Democrat l)ut never desired 
to hold ofifice. He married (iertrude JMyser, 
who was born in b'rancc, and thev had the 
following children: J'aul, who died in in- 
fancy ; Julia Ann, who died in Perry County, 
who was the wife of Jacob Shore and tlie 
mother of thirteen children, eleven of whom 
survi\e: Enoch, who flied in childhood; 
Lewis, residing in I\ush Creek Township, 
who married Lisa Ritter; Caroline, who 
died in infancy; Mary, who is the wife of 
Joseph Shore, of Lancaster, and the mother 
of twelve children, eleven of whom survive : 
Philip, the owner of the other one-half in- 
terest in the 536 acres of land mentioned 
above, who married Katherine Noll, who 
died leaving four children : John N. ; and 
Caroline, who is the wife of David Schmel- 
zer. They reside at La Crosse, Wis., and 
have seven children. The father of the 
above family died at the age of seventy- 
four years and the mother when aged fifty- 
nine years. They were faithful members 
of the Catholic church and were buried in 
the cemetery belonging to the Sacred Heart 
parish. 

John N. Schmelzer obtained his early 
education in District No. 9 schoolhouse and 
afterward remained on the home farm, land 



which resjwnds generously to tillage but 
shows no evidences of cither oil or gas de- 
posits. In addition to his large agricultural 
operations, Mr. Schmelzer has numerous 
other important interests. He is president 
and ;i director of the Magdale Oil and Gas 
Ccjuipany ; president and a director of the Mid- 
dletow n Oil and (ias Company ; also interested 
in the CoiK'u.sperger Oil and Gas Company; the 
Geneva Oil and Gas Company; the Overland 
Oil Company ; the McCuny Oil and Gas Com- 
pany; and is a director and stockholder in the 
Bremen Bank Company of Bremen, O., and 
stockholder in the New World Life Insur- 
ance Company. 

Mr. Schmelzer married Miss ICllen Mc- 
(Juaid, who was born in Berne Township, 
Fairtielfl County, O., a daughter of Michael 
and Ellen McOuaid, both of whom arc now 
deceased. Nine children have been born to 
Mr. and .Mrs. .Schmelzer, namely: Mary, 
who is acconiplished in music, and a teacher 
of this science; Jerome, who died in in- 
fancy; John, who lives at home; Sylvester, 
who (lied in childhood: and Leo, Rose, 
h'rancis. Michael and Lucy, all of whom live 
at home. The family belongs to the Catho- 
lic church at I'remcn. Mr. Schmelzer and 
his older sons are Democrats and hearty 
workers for the party. On the Democratic 
ticket Mr. Schmelzer was elected a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of Rush Creek 
Township, January i, 190S. of which he now 
is president. He is one of the township's 
representative men in public matters and 
one of its most substantial in business 
affairs. 

FRANK S. BEERY,* who. for the past 
eight years has been a member of the Board 
of Education in Pleasant Township, Fair- 
field County, O., owns the valuable farm 



768 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



of 133 acres on which he resides, devoting 
it to general farming and stock raising. He 
was born in Pleasant Township, February 
12, 1856, and is a son of Lewis and Mary 
(Swartz) Beery. 

The first of the Beery family to come to 
Fairfield County was Daniel Beery, who 
was a native of Rockingham County, Va. 
He established the old home in Berne 
Township, where the late Lewis Beery was 
born. He was a well known stock raiser 
and farmer. His death occurred in 1909, 
in Pleasant Township. 

Frank S. Beery attended the district 
schools in boyhood and then had practical 
experience on the home farm that has since 
been of great benefit to him as farming and 
stockraising have been his main interests. 
In 1888 he settled on his present place and 
he has developed it into one of the most 
productive farms in the township. 

Mr. Beery married Miss Emma Sites, a 
daughter of Emanuel Sites who was a lead- 
ing farmer in Pleasant Township for many 
years. Six children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Beery, namely : Fannie F., who 
is the wife of C. A. Teele, of Columbus, O. ; 
Edna, who is the wife of E. H. Kuhn, an 
educator and graduate of the Ohio State 
University ; Maud, who is the wife of For- 
rest Ketner, of Walnut Township ; and 
Ross, Fred and Harry, all three residing at 
home. In politics Mr. Beery is a Republi- 
can. He is one of the leading members of 
the U. B. church at Lancaster. 

WILLIAM GUYTON, now deceased, who 
for many years was a successful farmer and 
highly respected resident of Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., was born in Perry 
County, Ohio, and was a son of Henry Guyton, 
who settled there at an early, date and followed 



farming and lumbering, operating a saw-mill. 

William Guyton grew to manhood in Perry 
County, attending school in boyhood and later 
assisting his father in his farming and lumber- 
ing operations. Later coming to Fairfield 
County, he settled on the farm of 65 acres 
in Rush Creek Township, and here spent the 
rest of his life, busily engaged in farm pur- 
suits. An industrious and energetic man, he 
made all the excellent improvements of this 
place, erecting the substantial buildings now 
standing. He died here March 16, 1892. 

On April 10, 1862, William Guyton was 
married to Miss Catherine Lehman and seven 
children were born to them, namely: Isaac, 
z\lpha Retta, L. V., Callie, Maud, Henry and 
Alice, of whom the two last mentioned died 
when young. Isaac married a Miss Wixon and 
moved to Michigan. Alpha Retta, who mar- 
ried a Mr. Huntwork, lives in Perry County, 
O. L. V. Guyton is a resident of Rush Creek 
Township. Callie is the wife of Charles 
Young. Maud was first united in marriage 
December 28, 1899, to Rev. J. O. Geiger, a 
native of Hocking County, O. He was edu- 
cated at Central College, Huntington, Ind., 
also spending one year at Westerville College, 
Ohio. He was a successful minister and dur- 
ing the first year of his pastorate added one 
hundred souls to the church. Mr. and Mrs. 
Geiger were the parents of one son. After 
her husband's death, Mrs. Maude Geiger be- 
came the wife of John Garrison. Mrs. Guy- 
ton not only owns the home farm, but also an 
additional 49 acres lying to the north of this 
tract. She oversees the property, having it 
under rental. 

ALONZO E. MILLER,* stock raiser and 
general farmer and one of the representative 
citizens of Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County, O., was born near Pennsville, Morgan 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



769 



County, O., May 5, 1862, and is a son of 
Henry G. and Mary M. (Milton) Miller. 

Henry G. Miller was horn in Guernsey 
County, O., and was thirteen years old when 
he accompanied his parents to Morgan County, 
O., where he grew to man's estate and mar- 
ried. In 1865 he moved with his family to 
Fairfield County, locating near Colfax, in 
Pleasant Township, where he resided for sev- 
enteen years. He then moved to the northeast- 
ern part of Pleasant Township, in the early 
eighties, and there he died, September 11, 
1886. His widow, who is now in her seventy- 
third year, continues to live on the farm in 
Pleasant Township. Henry G. Miller was one 
of the sterling citizens of this township and 
for years enjoyed the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow citizens. He served in the offices of 
trustee and treasurer with honesty and effi- 
ciency, and was a member and liberal supporter 
of the Christian church. In politics he was a 
Democrat. Of his children the following are 
living: Alonzo E. ; Lizzie L., wife of Lincoln 
Wilson, of Morgan County; George H., of 
Pleasant Township; Annie F., wife of B. F. 
Craner, of Pleasantville; and Mary A., wife 
of B. F. Wolf, of Richland Township. Henry 
G. Miller was interred with Masonic rites, hav- 
ing been a Knight Templar IMason, belonging 
to the Commandery at Lancaster. 

Alonzo E. Miller grew to man's estate in 
Pleasant Township and attended the local 
schools and the Fairfield Union Academy at 
Pleasant\'ille, which was one of the leading 
educational institutions at that time in this part 
of the county. His business has always been 
along agricultural lines. Mr. Miller was mar- 
ried first to Miss Ella M. Rowles, a daughter 
of William and Rebecca Rowles, of Fairfield 
County, and they had five children born to 
them, namely: William H., Ola F., Lyda M.. 
Fern F. and Iva Inez. For his second wife 



Mr. Miller married Mrs. Mollie C. Sprague, 
widow of Charles Sprague and a daughter of 
James Stockdale, both being former residents 
of Walnut Township. Two sons have been 
born to the second marriage: .Alonzo E. and 
Ralph S. Mr. Miller and family belong to the 
Disciples church. In politics he is nominally a 
Democrat but has independent tendencies. He 
belongs to Lodge No. 531, F. & A. M., at 
Pleasantville, O. and to White Shield Chapter, 
No. 57, Eastern Star. He has long taken much 
interest in the Patrons of Husbandry and is a 
member of Pomona Grange No. 161 5, at 
Pleasantville, of which he is master. 

HON. B. F. SNYDER, mayor of Sugar 
Grove, O., is a leading business man in this 
section as well as a representative citizen in 
public affairs. For the past four years he has 
been superintendent of wells for the Lagon 
Natural Gas and Fuel Company. He was born 
in Fairfield County, O., March 12, 1859, and is 
a son of Daniel and Mary (Snoke) Snyder. 
The father of Mayor Snyder was born in Lick- 
ing County. O. For many years he has been 
a resident of Fairfield County, O., and now 
lives at Sugar Grove, being in his seventy- 
sixth year. The mother of Mayor Snyder died 
in May, 1908. 

B. F. Snyder was mainly reared in Berne 
Township, where he attended school, later hav- 
ing additional advantages at Pleasant Hill and 
Sugar Grove. He then learned the carpenter's 
trade and some years afterward went into car- 
penter contracting. In 1907 he accepted his 
present position with tiie Logan Natural Gas 
and Fuel Company as superintendent of their 
wells, his territory of inspection being in dif- 
ferent townships in Fairfield County. He has 
been a very active citizen, always taking an 
interest in movements for the general welfare 
and making so excellent an impression as to 



770 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



efficiency and public spirit while serving on the 
\illage council of Sugar Grove, that he was 
elected mayor in December, 1909. For seven 
years he also served as a member of the Sugar 
Grove Special School District. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church at Su- 
gar Grove and is president of the board of 
trustees. He is identified with the Masonic 
lodge at Lancaster, O. 

JAMES \V. DUNCAN,* who is entering 
upon his second term as a county commissioner 
of Fairfield County, O., is a leading resident 
of Hocking Township. He was born in Fair- 
field County, O., January 22, 1853, and is one 
of a family of eleven children who were born 
to his parents who were Thomas and Mary 
(lies) Duncan. They are deceased. 

James W. Duncan was reared and educated 
ill his native count}' and farming has been his 
main business and for a number of years he 
has lived in Hocking Township. He was 
elected a county commissioner from there in 
1908 by a fair majority and in November, 
1910, was reelected by a much larger one. He 
has been connected with all the wise measures 
approved by the board in the last few years 
and his advice is heeded and his judgment con- 
sulted by his co-workers. 

Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Alice 
Ward, who is a daughter of Daniel Ward, of 
Fairfield County, and they have two cihldren : 
William and Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan 
are members of the Presbyterian church. He 
is identified with the Knights of Pythias. 

HON. JOHN G. REEVES, one of Fairfield 
County's distinguished and honored citizens, a 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and an 
able and forceful member of the Lancaster 
bar, was born in Fairfield County, O., and is a 



son of Josiah and Martha S. (Graybill) 
Reeves. 

Left fatherless when quite young, John G. 
Reeves was reared in the home of his grand- 
father, Hon. John Graybill. Here he had 
many advantages, both social and educational, 
and from the country schools he became a stu- 
dent at Lancaster and still later in the Ohio 
University of Athens, where a pleasing per- 
sonality easily won him friends. Having de- 
cided upon the law as a profession, in i860 he 
became a student in the law office of Martin & 
Schleich, at Lancaster, where he continued his 
studies until after the general arousing of pub- 
lic enthusiasm incident to the outbreak of the 
Civil \Var. With other young and ardent spir- 
its, he enlisted for three years in the 7th O. 
Vol. Cav., which, after several changes, in 1863 
became the nth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He 
served for eleven months as orderly sergeant 
and on September 21, 1862, was appointed sec- 
ond lieutenant of Co. C, of which he was com- 
missioned first lieutenant on June 9, 1863, and 
soon afterward was made adjutant of the nth 
Ohio Cavalry. His advancement had been 
rapid but it was justified by his efficiency, and 
soon after tlie above promotion he was made 
adjutant of the post at Fort Laramie, and sub- 
sequently provost-marshal of the district. In 
tlie spring of 1864, Mr. Reeves was appointed 
assistant inspector of the Western Division of 
the District of Nebraska, as a member of the 
stafif of Gen. Mitchell, and his jurisdiction ex- 
tended as far as South Pass, Wyo. Other of- 
ficial honors awaited him, one of these being 
the proffer of a captaincy of Co. L, nth Cav- 
alry, which was not accepted on account of the 
immediate termination of the war. He was 
honorably discharged from the service in April, 
1865. He had passed through many hazardous 
experiences, his regiment having been detailed 




HON. JOHN G. KEEVES 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



771 



to guard the overland mail and the emigrant 
route from Julesburg to South Pass and on 
the South Platte from Julesburg to Fort Hal- 
leck. The Indians at that time were trouble- 
some and hostile and danger lurked in every 
shadow. Viewing the calm poise and perfect 
self control of Judge Reeves on the bench, it 
is possible to believe that a measure of these 
qualities may have become a pitirt of his nature 
during those months of bravely borne hardship 
in a position of grave responsibility in what was 
then an uncivilized part of the country. 

After his return to Ohio, Mr. Reeves was 
admitted to the bar, in 1865, locating immedi- 
ately at Lancaster, which pleasant little city has 
been his chosen home ever since. He made 
rapid progress in his profession and in 1880 
was admitted to practice in the U. S. Circuit 
and District Courts, and in March, 1885, in the 
U. S. Supreme Court. In 1867 he was elected 
city solicitor of Lancaster ?nd served four 
years, and in 1871 was elected prosecuting at- 
torney of Fairfield County and served for six 
years. In November, 1900, he was elected 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to serve 
out an unexpired term, and in the following 
year was elected to the office for a term of five 
years. In 1906 he was again elected for a 
term of six years, ending February 9, 1913, 
which term he is now serving. He is identified 
with the Democratic party but his profession 
lias been of much more interest to him than 
politics, and he has seldom consented to con- 
sider even tempting proposals of political sig- 
niticance outside of the law. For many years 
he has been prominently connected with several 
fraternal organizations and has frequently been 
an official in state military associations. He 
has served as grand commander of the Amer- 
ican Legion of Honor for Ohio, and as grand 
chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Ohio, 
in 1888, and also as supreme representative. 



He is a charter member of Coeur de Lion Com- 
pany No. 9. Uniformed Rank, Knights of 
Pythias, having served as its captain, and he 
served also as judge advocate general on the 
staff of J. W. Green, commander, in Ohio. In 
Odd Fellowship he is equally prominent, being 
past noble grand of Alpine Lodge, No. 566. 
and past patriarch of Hocking Encampment, 
No. 7 ; he took an active part in the formation 
of the Patriarch Militant branch; was twice 
elected brigadier-general of the First Brigade 
of Ohio, and twice major-general, commanding 
the Division of Ohio. He has reached to the 
highest honors of Masonry, being a Scottish 
Rite and 33rd degree Mason, and is affiliated 
with the Ohio Sovereign Consistory at Cincin- 
nati. Grand Army affairs have also claimed his 
loyal attention and he has not only been com- 
mander of the G. A. R. post at Lancaster but 
has filled other positions of authority. He is 
also a charter member and past commander of 
Encampment No. 12, U. V. L. In the benefi- 
ciary order of Royal Arcanum, he has filled the 
office of grand regent. He served as a member 
of the Board of Trustees of the Boys' Indus- 
trial School of Ohio eight years. He has 
served also as a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the City Library of Lancaster for the 
past ten years and in January, 1912, was re- 
appointed for a term of three years. 

Judge Reeves was married in 1866, to Miss 
Rachel Elizabeth Hooker. They had one son 
born to them, John Harold. Mrs. Reeves died 
December 14, 1896. 

IRVIN E. ALSPAUGH,* who owns one of 
the best farms in Clear Creek Township, Fair- 
field County, O., consisting of 167 acres of 
well cultivated land, was born in Bloom Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, January i, 187J, and 
is a son of Paul and Lavina (Weiser) Als- 
paugh. 



772 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



The above families were established in Fair- 
field County by Jacob Alspaugh and Jacob 
Weiser, both being of German ancestry. They 
have had many descendants, all of them sturdy, 
thrifty and law-abiding. Paul Alspaugh and 
wife were both born in Bloom Township and 
died there, their burial being in the old town- 
ship graveyard. They were v/orthy members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had 
the following children born to them : Edward 
H. ; Margaret, wife of S. S. Mathias ; Levi ; 
Alice, wife of Jonathan Click; Samuel; Cora 
Ann, wife of Frank Bell; Irvin E. ; and Emma, 
wife of George O. Keiger. 

Irvin E. Alspaugh spent boyhood and early 
youth on the farm and attended the local 
schools but he was ambitious for more extended 
educational training and for four years de- 
voted the winter months to his books, becom- 
ing a student for two years at Crawfis Insti- 
tute, one winter at the Pleasantville Academy 
and one winter at the university at Ada, O. 
He returned home and took over the operation 
of the home farm of 224 acres, which he con- 
tinued for four years. His father died in 
1896 and he was appointed one of the admin- 
istrators and performed all his duties satisfac- 
torily. He has resided on his present farm for 
twelve years and conducts his agricultural op- 
erations along the best approved lines, raising 
crops according to modern methods and pro- 
ducing stock which equals any in the township. 
He has proved that a college education is very 
helpful to a man in every line of business. 

On November 29, 1899, Mr. Alspaugh was 
married to Miss Etta Haas, a daughter of 
Benjamin and Louisa (Bright) Haas, the for- 
mer of whom was born in Pickaway and the 
latter in Fairfield County. Mrs. Alspaugh has 
one older sister, Leoda, who is the wife of J. 
B. Meisse; a younger sister, Alice, who is the 
wife of William E. Sitterly; and one brother. 



Charles Haas. Mr. and Mrs. Alspaugh have 
three sons: Ralph B., Harold P. and Donald 
J. Politically he is a Democrat and fraternally 
belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Amanda. 
The family attends the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Amanda. 



JAMES HAMPSON, one of the reliable 
and prominent citizens of Pleasant Township, 
who has served as township treasurer since 
April, 1903, was born on the farm on which he 
lives, June 29, 1865, and is a son of James and 
Mary (Hite) Hampson. 

James Hampson, the elder, was born in 
Pleasant Township February 12, 181 3, a son 
of John Hampson, who was one of the early 
settlers of Pleasant Township, entering land 
from the Government as early as 1806 and be- 
coming a man of affairs in this section. He 
was one of the pioneer justices of the peace in 
North Pleasant Township, holding his court in 
his log cabin. James Hampson was also a man 
of prominence in Fairfield County and was 
township trustee during the Civil War, when 
unusual conditions confronted all local officials 
as well as those higher in authority. He was 
one of the founders of the Fairfield Union 
Academy, and "from its organization in i860 
until his death, in 1889, he was a member of 
its board of trustees. In his political senti- 
ments he was a Democrat. He married Mary 
Hite, who was also born in Pleasant Township, 
and of their children the following are living: 
Henry J., residing in Walnut Township; Levi 
H., in Pleasant Township; Lillie, wife of M. 
F. Mauger, a well known contractor and 
builder of Lancaster, Ohio; and James, resid- 
ing in Pleasant Township. The father was a 
man of such sterling character that he was fre- 
quently entrusted with the settlement of es- 
tates, without any bond. He was one of the 






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a 



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Z 



H 
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



773 



directors of the Fairfield County Agricultural 
Society. 

James Hampson spent his early life in Pleas- 
ant Township and had excellent educational 
training in the Fairfield Union Academy and 
in the cultivation of his farm has demonstrated 
that an educated man may make a very suc- 
cessful agriculturist. He owns ninety-one 
acres of land adjoining Pleasantville on the 
south and his handsome residence presents an 
attractive appearance amidst the surroundings, 
all of which indicate thrift and comfort. 

Mr. Hampson was married ]\Iay j8, 1890, 
to Miss Carrie A. Fisher, a daughter of the 
late Adam Fisher, of \\'alnut Township, and 
they have had three children : Esther M., 
James V., and one deceased. Upon the death 
of his father, Mr. Hampson succeeded as a 
trustee of Fairfield , Union Academy and 
served for twenty years, when the property 
was turned into a public school for Pleasant- 
ville and vicinity and is now known as Pleas- 
antville special school district and since the fall 
of 1909 Mr. Hampson has been a member of 
the board of this special district. He is a 
charter member of the Knights of Pythias at 
Pleasantville and a Mason, belonging to the 
Blue Lodge at Pleasantville and to Royal Arch 
Chapter, N^o. 11, at Lancaster, and has just 
been advanced to the rank of Knight Templar. 

G. BIGERTON, one of the well known citi- 
zens of Bloom township, Fairfield County, O., 
resides on his valuable farm of 118 acres, 
which is situated half way between Lithopolis 
and Canal Winchester. He was born in 1873, 
in Greenfield township. Fairfield County, O., 
and is a son of Jacob and Almeda (Markle) 
Bigerton. 

Jacob Bigerton has spent almost his entire 
life of eighty-three years in Fairfield County, 
and still resides on his farm in Greenfield 



township. He married Almeda Markle and 
their family of seven children all survive: 
Sarah Jane, Newton, Charles, William, Alva, 
G. and Orpha. 

G. Bigerton attended the public schools of 
Greenfield township and then assisted on the 
home farm until he came to his present place, 
about 1899. He made many improvements in- 
cluding the erection of a modern, comfortable 
residence. He carries on general farming and 
devotes some attention to the raising of good 
stock. 

Air. Bigerton married Miss Martha Bert- 
chin, a daughter of the late John Bertchin, of 
Fairfield County, and they have had two chil- 
dren : Marie and Archer, the former of whom 
is deceased. Mr. Bigerton is a Democrat in 
his political views, and in all that relates to 
good citizensiiip, is one of the township's de- 
pendable and reliable men. 

FRANK M. ACTON,* who is recognized as 
one of the leading members of the Lancaster 
bar, at Lancaster, O., and formerly prosecuting 
attorney of Fairfield County, is somewhat 
prominent politically although his main atten- 
tion has been given to his professional duties. 
He was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield 
County, O., April 8, 1872, and is a son of Wil- 
liam H. and Sarah F. (Pollard) Acton. 

Both parents of Mr. Acton were born in 
England. The father, William H. Acton, was 
born in England, October 8, 1832, and re- 
mained in his native land until he was twenty- 
five years of age. He then embarked on a sail- 
ing vessel bound for New York, but landed in 
New Orleans, where he remained for six 
months. He was already equipped with the 
excellent trade of machinist and later became 
a railroad engineer. After coming to Lancas- 
ter, O.. he ran a stationary engine at the old 
starch factory for a time, afterward was an 



774 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and 
then gave his entire attention until he retired, 
in 1904, to work as a machinist. He resides 
at Lancaster. 

William H. Acton married Sarah F. Pollard 
after coming to Lancaster, where her father, 
John Pollard, had settled with his family after 
coming from England. He v.-as in the artifi- 
cial gas business and continued in the same at 
Lancaster until he retired, when he removed 
to Chicago, III., where his death occurred at 
the age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Acton was 
twenty years old when she came to America. 

Frank M. Acton was educated at Lancaster, 
graduating from the High School in 1890. He 
then engaged in the study of law in the office 
of C. W. McCleary at Lancaster and was ad- 
mitted to the bar when but twenty-one years 
old. Circumstances of the most favorable 
promise have never led Mr. Acton to change 
his place of residence and he has been an acti\e 
and useful citizen, at all times working for 
the general welfare while engaged in advancing 
his own fortunes. In politics a Democrat, on 
the Democratic ticket he was elected city solic- 
itor in 1894 and served until igoo, and in 1903 
he was elected prosecuting attorney and served 
effectively in that difficult position until 1909. 
Fraternally he is identified witli the Masons, 
Odd Fellows and Elks. 

Mr. Acton married Miss Maude C. Wiley, 
who was born at Carroll, O., a daughter of 
I'iobert M. and Phebe M. (Church) Wiley. 
Tliey have four children : Margaret Lucille, 
l<>ancis Marion, Robert M. and Laura Maria. 
Mr. Acton and family are members of the Eng- 
lish Lutheran church. 



is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Feeman) 
Snider. 

The Snider family is an old and respected 
one in Fairfield County and has always been 
connected with agriculture. Emanuel Snider 
was born in this county and owned valuable 
farming land in Liberty Township which he 
improved during his lifetime and died here 
when aged sixty-four years. He was twice 
married, his second wife still surviving, the 
first wife dying when her son, Samuel F. was 
five years old. She was Elizabeth Feeman, a 
daughter of John Feeman formerly a substan- 
tial farmer of Pleasant Township. His second 
marriage was to Miss Leah Hensel, a daughter 
of Jacob Hensel, Sr., who came to Fairfield 
County at an early day from Pennsylvania. 
Mrs. Snider had no children of her own but 
proved a devoted mother to her step-children, 
tour in number : Noah, who died young; J. W., 
who died in Columbus, was an attorney; Mrs. 
J. V. Goss, who is a resident of Basil; and 
Samuel F., with whom she makes her home. 

Samuel F. Snider obtained his education in 
the schools of Liberty Township. He has al- 
ways lived on the homestead and as time has 
passed has kept up the improvements and con- 
tinually added to the value of the land. He 
raises the usual profitable crops and addition- 
ally gives attention to good stock and keeps the 
careful, overseeing, eye on every thing that 
proclaims the successful agriculturist. In pol- 
itics Mr. Snider is a Democrat and was elected 
township trustee in the fall of 191 1 for a term 
of two years. He is a member of the board of 
trustees of the Evangelical Association. Mr. 
.Snider is unmarried. 



SAMUEL F. SNIDER, whose productive 
farm of 318 acres lies five miles northwest of 
Basil, O., in Liberty Township, Fairfield 
County, was born on this place in 1875, and 



H. A. HOUSE,* cashier of the Millersport 
Bank Company, at Millersport, O., of which he 
is one of the charter stockholders, has served in 
liis present official capacity ever since the insti- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



775 



tution opened for business. He was born on 
his father's farm in Licking County, O., Sep- 
tember 14, 1875, and is a son of Jefferson and 
Lavina (^ Young) House, both of whom are 
now deceased. 

H. A. House enjoyed good educational ad- 
vantages. After graduating from the Hebron 
High School in 1895, he attended the Northern 
Ohio University at Ada, O., and in 1897 began 
to teach school. He taught what was known 
as the Sugar Loaf School for one year and 
then taught the Hebron schools for six years. 
He then entered the employ of the T. & O. C. 
Railroad as agent and telegraph operator and 
for some two years spent his summers in this 
connection, teaching school during his less busy 
months. On September 10, 1904, he was as- 
signed to Alillersport as agent for the above- 
mentioned road and thus continued until Sep- 
tember 10, 1907, when he resigned in order to 
become cashier of the newly organized Millers- 
port Banking Company. This has grown to 
be one of the dependable and solid financial 
institutions of this section and has the support 
of the substantial men in both the town and 
country. 

On April 16, 1908, Mr. House was married 
to Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of James H. 
Smith, and they have one child, Elizabeth. 
Mr. and Mrs. House are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. He is identified with 
the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, both 
at Millersport. 

RUFUS J. CONRAD, a leading citizen of 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., and a 
trustee of the township, owns a \aluable prop- 
erty in this section, including a one-half inter- 
est in 154^/^ acres, and also a one-half interest 
in eighty-two and one-half acres situated two 
miles east of Sugar Grove, O. He was born 
in Berne Township, September 5, 1871, and 



is a son of Noah and Elizabeth (Pannabacker) 
Conrad. 

Noah Conrad was born in Hocking County, 
O., a son of Christopher Conrad, who was an 
early settler there, reputed to have come from 
Virginia. Noah Conrad was reared and at- 
tended school in Good Hope Township, Hock- 
ing County, and from there came to Fairfield 
County in early manhood. Subsequently he 
married and settled in Berne Township, where 
the remainder of his life was passed, his death 
occurring October 16, 1908. His wife died 
October 11, 1892. Of their children the fol- 
lowing survive : Jane M., who is the wife of 
Henry Ackers, of Berne Township; Emma, 
who is the wife of John Fossler, a resident of 
Webster County, Neb. ; George W., who also 
lives in Nebraska; Clara A., who is the wife 
of Frank Ream, of Sugar Grove; and Rufas J. 
and Joseph N., both of Berne Township. In 
politics Noah Conrad was a stanch Democrat. 
He was a man of sterling integrity, a consis- 
tent member of the i\Iethodist Episcopal 
church, and was known and respected all over 
the county. 

Rufus J. Conrad was reared in Berne Town- 
ship, where he attended school and the well 
known Craw f is Institute. He has devoted 
Iiimself to agricultural pursuits and is num- 
bered with the prosperous farmers of Berne 
Township. Mr. Conrad has always been an 
active and interested citizen, one of the men 
of progressive ideas in his section and a lead- 
ing Democrat. He is a member of the Demo- 
cratic Central Committee of Fairfield County, 
served three years as a member of the school 
board under the old law, and is serving in his 
second term as a trustee of Berne Township. 

Mr. Conrad was married to Miss Annie M. 
Sharp, a daughter of William Sharp, a for- 
mer well known resident of Berne Township, 
and they have four sons : Carroll S., Randolph 



776 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



P., Frederick W. and Charles L. Mr. Conrad 
and family are members of the Bethel Re- 
formed church at Sugar Grove, O. 

HON. GEORGE EWING, who is a mem- 
ber of the bar at Lancaster, O., bears a name 
that has been held in high esteem in this state 
for several generations. He was born at 
Washington, D. C, June 3, 1865, and is a son 
of Major General Hugh and Henrietta 
(Young) Ewing. 

On both paternal and maternal sides, Mr. 
Ewing comes of Revolutionary stock. His 
great-grandfather, George Ewing, commanded 
a battery that did effective service in the battle 
of the Brandywine, and was one of General 
Washington's officers who assisted his superior 
in encouraging the disheartened soldiers during 
the long winter at Valley Forge, cheerfully en- 
during the same hardships. The subject of 
this sketch is a grand-son of the elder Thomas 
Ewing, of Ohio, one of the greatest lawyers 
and statesmen of his day. His father. General 
Hugh Ewing, was a distinguished soldier of 
the Civil War. The maternal grandfather of 
Hugh Ewing, Hugh Boyle, was one of the 
patriots who were engaged in the Irish upris- 
ing in the latter part of the eighteen century, 
and was forced to fly to America with an Eng- 
lish price upon his head, as the penalty for his 
love of country and courage in its defense. 

On his mother's side, the Youngs were large 
plantation owners and prominent among the 
Catholics of Maryland from its earliest his- 
tory, that family having been established in 
America by Benjamin Young who, as Com- 
missioner of Crown Lands, accompanied Lord 
Baltimore to this country and assisted him in 
founding the Colony of Maryland. The ma- 
ternal great-grandfather of George Ewing was 
a neighbor and intimate friend of George 
Washington. Nicholas Young, his great-uncle. 



established the Dominican Order in this state 
and was the pioneer priest of southern Ohio. 
Edward Fenwick, first Catholic Bishop of Cin- 
cinnati, was his great-granduncle. 

George Ewing was educated at St. Vincent 
College, near Pittsburg, Pa. He graduated 
from the law school of the Cincinnati Univer- 
sity and was admitted to the Bar of Ohio in 
1888. In politics, he has been an active Demo- 
crat. In 1892 he was appointed by Governor 
McKinley upon a bi-partisan commission to in- 
vestigate irregularities in the Ohio Boys' In- 
dustrial School, and subsequently was ap- 
pointed by him as the Democratic member of 
the Ohio State Board of Pardons, in which 
capacity he has served the state for nearly 
twenty years, concurrently with eight succes- 
sive governors. 

In 1892 Mr. Ewing was married to Miss 
Agnes Donohoe, of Greensburg, Pa. They 
have six children : Ruth Udell, Thomas Don- 
ohoe, Hugh Maskell, George Hampton, John 
Fenwick and Agnes Wise. 

COL. VAN A. SNIDER, attorney and 
counsellor at law, with rooms in the Martens 
Block, Lancaster, O., is a representative busi- 
ness man of this place and also a prominent 
politician, at present being city solicitor. He 
was born in Fairfield county, O., October 27, 
1869, and is one of a family of eight children 
born to his parents. His father. Rev. A. Sni- 
der, D. D., is a well known minister of the 
United Brethren church and resides at Gallon, 
O. 

Van A. Snider was reared on a farm in Wal- 
nut township, Fairfield county and educated in 
the public schools. He subsequently taught 
school for two years. His law studies were 
pursued under the direction of Hon. J. G. 
Reeves, now judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, and he was admitted to the bar in Octo- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



777 



ber, 1896. His field of practice has been ex- 
tensive in the State and United States courts. 

In November, 1909, he was elected city 
solicitor on the Democratic ticket and was re- 
elected in 191 1. He is president of the Fair- 
field County Democratic Club. 

Mr. Snider was married to Miss Cora A. 
Holland, who is a daughter of Hon. E. F. Hol- 
land, judge of the Probate Court, and they 
have two children : E. Miriam and M. Vaneta. 
Mr. Snider is a member of the United Brethren 
church. Fraternally he is identified with the 
Masons, Elks, Redmen, Royal Arcanum and 
Knights of Pythias, having the distinction of 
being a colonel and chief of staff of the Uni- 
form Rank, Ohio Brigade, on the staff of Gen- 
eral Kauffman. He is an officer in the Ohio 
National Guard and camp on the personal mili- 
tary staff of Governor Harmon. Mrs. Snider 
belongs to the Methodist church. 

FREDERICK RUFF, whose two finely im- 
proved farms, aggregating 165 acres, lie seven 
miles east of Lancaster, O., and one and a 
half miles west of ^^'est Rushville, on the 
Zanesville and Maysville pike, in Richland 
Township, Fairfield County, is one of the sub- 
stantial, enterprising and public spirited men 
of this section. He was born in 1852 and is a 
son of George F. and Anna (Shingle) Ruff. 

George F. Ruff and wife were both born in 
Wittenberg, Germany, and after marriage 
came to the United States, settling somewhat 
later in Richland Township, Fairfield County, 
O., where Mr. Ruff died at the age of fifty-five 
years. His wife died at the age of fifty-six, 
surviving him about eight years. For a while 
they resided in Hocking County. But three 
of their nine children are now living, namely : 
John and Frederick, both of Richland Town- 
ship, and Emanuel, who lives in Pleasant 
Township. 



Frederick Ruft', our direct subject, since 
early manhood has been engaged in farming 
and stock raising. His property is well located 
and on his farms he has made some of the best 
improvements to be found in this part of Fair- 
field County, his buildings being both substan- 
tial and attractive. A man of progressive ideas, 
his agricultural operations are carried on along 
modern lines and have proved very successful. 
He is a director and stock holder in the Rush- 
ville Banking Company, and a promoter of and 
stock holder in the Rushville Oil and Gas Com- 
pany — a prosperous concern — and his judg- 
ment as a business man is usually regarded as 
safe and sound by his neighbors. 

Frederick Ruff married Miss Anna Geb- 
hardt, who was born in Fairfield County in 
1856, a daughter of George and Catherine 
Anna (Zigler) Gebhardt. Mrs. Ruff had three 
sisters, two of whom are now deceased. The 
other, Elisabeth, resides with Mr. and Mrs. 
Ruff. Mr. and Mrs. Ruff have three children 
— Clara Catherine, Emma May, and Viola 
Etta. Clara Catherine is the wife of Frank L. 
Rowles and resides in Pleasant Township, not 
far from Pleasantville, O. Her husband is a 
farmer and stock raiser and deals in Jersey 
cattle. She has two children — Dorothy Eva- 
line and Frederick W. Emma May Ruff mar- 
ried Harvey L. Irvin, of Licking County, Ohio, 
they residing near Thornville, where Mr. Irvin 
follows farming. They have a daughter — 
Anna E. Viola Etta is the wife of Sherman 
S. Weidner, who is a farmer in Berne Town- 
ship, Fairfield County. They have a son — 
Alva Edison. 

]\Ir. and Mrs. Ruff are members of Grace 
Lutheran church, to the erection of which, in 
1884, he contributed of his means, and of 
which he has been a trustee since its organiza- 
tion. He formerly served on the township 
school board and is at present a member of the 



778 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Fairfield County Agricultural Board. Mrs. 
Ruff and her sister Elisabeth own what is 
known as the George Gebhardt homestead of 
sixty-two acres, on which there is a good 
house, barn, and out-buildings. Mrs. Ruff is 
also a stock holder in the Rushville Banking 
Company at Rushville, O. 

LEMUEL H. MEEKER, whose fine farm 
of one hundred and one-half acres lies in a 
very desirable part of Clear Lake Township, 
Fairfield County, 0., belongs to an old county 
family and was born in Amanda Township, 
January lo, i860, a son of Sherman and Eliza 
(Allen) Meeker. 

Sherman Meeker was born also in Fairfield 
County and farming was his occupation 
through life. His father, Aaron Meeker, was 
one of the early settlers. Sherman Meeker 
was twice married, first to Eliza Allen, a 
daughter of Howard and Sallie Allen, and they 
had the following children : Mary E., deceased, 
who was the wife of Isaac Lear; Sarah M., 
who is the wife of J. C. Barr ; Anna E., who is 
the wife of Monroe Hickle; Ollie S., who is 
the wife of Absolom Peters; Lemuel H. ; 
Alpha E., and John S. The second marriage 
was to Ellen Griffith and one daughter was 
born to that union, Ida, who is the wife of 
George Shadle. Sherman Meeker was a Re- 
publican in politics and he reared his children 
in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

After his school days were over, Lemuel H. 
Meeker assisted his father on the home farm 
and has been a farmer ever since. In 1893 
he purchased this farm in Clear Creek Town- 
ship from the Samuel Barr heirs and imme- 
diately began to improve it, repairing the farm 
buildings and erecting a new residence. The 
farm gives evidences of thrift and good man- 
agement and an air of comfort prevails, Mr. 



Meeker having the assistance of his one son in 
iiis agricultural operations. 

On September 20, 1883, Mr. Meeker was 
married to Miss Alice Barr, a daughter of 
Samuel and Catherine (Hammil) Barr, of an 
old family of Fairfield County. Mrs. Meeker 
is the youngest member of her parent's fam- 
ily, the others being: J. C. ; Louisa, wife of 
Judge S. T. Shaffer; David; John; Nancy, 
second wife of Judge S. T. Shaffer; and 
Simon. Mr. and Mrs. Meeker have had two 
children, Maimie Marie and Russell Earl, 
both of whom have been given school advant- 
ages. The family belongs to the Lutheran 
church. Nominally Mr. Meeker is a Repub- 
lican but he reserves the right to vote inde- 
pendently according to his judgment. He has 
long been connected with the Odd Fellows at 
Amanda. 

HENRY H. FAUBLE, one of the leading 
citizens of Berne Township, Fairfield County, 
O., and the present township treasurer, was 
born in this township, January 20, 1857, and is 
a son of Christopher and Annie C. (Martin) 
Fauble. 

Christopher Fauble and wife were both born 
in Germany and they came to America in 1850 
and immediately located at Sugar Grove, in 
Fairfield County, O., where he worked at his 
trade of tailor, for a number of years. Later 
he moved to Hocking County. O., and there 
was a farmer for a long period in Good Hope 
Township; he died there in 1891. Of his chil- 
dren the following survive : John, residing in 
Hocking County; J. C, in Berne Township; 
Adam, in Ohio City, O. ; Henry H., in Berne 
Township; Daniel D., in Hocking Township; 
and Mary, wife of John F. Bowers, living in 
Berne Township. 

Henry H. Fauble was reared to manhood 




MI!. AM) MliS. .lOlIX (;. KIFF 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



779 



under the care and protection of good parents. 
He attended school in Hocking County, Hol- 
brooks' Normal School at Lebanon and the 
Nonnal School at Ada, O., and afterward 
taught school for three years in Hocking 
County. Farming and stock raising, however, 
have engaged the most of his attention and he 
owns lOo acres of land which is cultivated 
along modern lines. Mr. Fauble is a Democrat 
in his political views and on the Democratic 
ticket was elected treasurer of Berne Town- 
ship in September, 1909, for a term of two 
years and assumed the duties of oi^ce on Jan- 
uary I, 1910, and is making a very acceptable 
official. 

Mr. Fauble was married to Miss Nettie 
Rudolph, who was born in Berne Township, a 
daughter of Peter Rudolph, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and they have one son, Emmitt L. 
He is a graduate of Crawfis Institute, Berne 
Township, and is assistant principal of the 
grammar department of the Sugar Grove Spe- 
cial District public schools. J\lr. Fauble is a 
member of the Lutheran church at Sugar 
Grove and has been a member of the board of 
deacons. 

JOHN G. RUFF, proprietor of Sunny- 
side Farm, a valuable tract of ninety-four 
acres of land situated in Hocking Township, 
Fairfield County, O., was born in Marion 
Township, Hocking County, O., October 10, 
1861, and is a son of John G. and Magda- 
lena B. (Walter) Ruff, the former of whom 
was also born in Hocking County, where he 
died March 4, 1886. His widow survives 
and lives at Lancaster, O. She was born in 
Germany, in 1836, and it is probable that 
she came to Ohio in infancy with her par- 
ents, who settled in the same neighborhood 
as did her husband's people. 

John G. Ruff was reared on the home farm 



in Marion township, Hocking County, which 
had been settled by his grandfather, Fred- 
erick Ruff, and attended the district schools. 
Afterward he learned the principles of agri- 
culture while assisting his father in cultivat- 
ing the land and caring for the stock in- 
crease, and by the time he was called on to 
take responsibilities on himself he was pre- 
pared for tliem. He came to Fairfield 
County in 1889 and for some years after- 
ward lived in Greenfield Township, and later 
in Pleasant Township and still later m Rich- 
land Township, coming to Sunnyside Farm in 
1909. He engages here in general farming 
and dairying and is numbered with the suc- 
cessful, intelligent and prosperous business 
men of this section. 

Mr. Ruff married Miss Alice M. Kull, who 
was born in Fairfield County, O., a daughter 
of Edward Kull, formerly a farmer in Berne 
Township but now a retired resident of Lan- 
caster. Seven children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruff: Clarence E., Leona Ida, 
Floyd E., Cora E., Florence E., Minnie and 
Dorothy. Mr. Ruff and family are members 
of the Emanuel Lutheran Church at Lancas- 
ter and he has served as a church trustee. 
Nominally a Democrat, Mr. Ruff has his 
own views on public questions and fre- 
quently casts his vote according to his own 
judgment. 

CHARLES GLICK, one of Bloom Town- 
ship's most successful and thrifty farmers, re- 
sides on the old Glick estate of 200 acres, sit- 
uated four and a half miles southeast of Lith- 
opolis, Ohio. Charles Glick was born May i, 
1873, on the same farm where he now resides. 
He was the third son and fifth child born to 
Manasseh and Eliza (Hartman) Glick. Mr. 
Glick owns 50 acres and he with his two sisters, 
Mary and Loa, owns the old homestead of 200 



780 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



acres. All his land is located in Bloom Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, Ohio. 

Alanasseh Click, father of Charles, was born 
in Bloom Tovvnship, Fairfield County, his fam- 
ily being among the early settlers in this sec- 
tion. He followed farming as his life's occu- 
pation and was seventy-two years of age when 
he died on the old Click homestead. He mar- 
ried Eliza Hartman, whose people were among 
the early settlers also. Six children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Manasseh Click, namely, 
Mary, Jonathan, Alice, George, Charles and 
Loa. 

Charles Click received his education in a dis- 
trict school of Bloom Township and, growing 
to manhood on the old homestead, naturally 
made agriculture his chief occupation. His 
many acres of well tilled and cared for land 
show his great interest in his occupation as a 
farmer. He resides in the farm house, which 
was erected by his grandfather in 1837, which 
still affords a stanch and comfortable home. 

Mr. Charles Click married Miss Anna Click, 
a daughter of Zeno Click, of Fairfield County, 
O. They attended the Lutheran Church. 
Politically, he is a Democrat and fraternally a 
member of the order of Knights of Pythias. 

CHARLES A. KEFAUVER, M. D., who 
has been engaged in the practice of medicine 
at Stoutsville, O., for over a quarter of a cen- 
tury, is one of the leading men of his profes- 
sion in Fairfield County. He was born at 
Fairfield, Franklin County, Pa., May 4, 1856, 
a son of Lewis and Amanda (Rautzhan) 
Kefauver. 

Rev. Lewis Kefauver was a prominent 
clergyman in Ohio for many years, for thirty 
years being pastor of the First Reformed 
Church at Tiffin, O. He attained high position 
in his religious body, receiving the degree of 
D. D., and for a long period was chancellor of 



Heidelberg University at Tiffin, Ohio. Both 
he and wife died at Tiffin, O. They had the 
following children : Charles A. ; Elmer R., who 
is an express messenger on the Hocking Val- 
ley Railroad; Elizabeth, deceased, who was a 
teacher in the public schools of Tiffin; and Wil- 
liam F., who is in the furniture and undertak- 
ing business at Manistique, Mich. 

Charles A. Kefauver was afforded excellent 
educational advantages and after graduating 
from the High School at Tiffin, entered Heid- 
elberg University, where he spent four years. 
He then entered the medical department of 
Adelbert University, at Cleveland, O., and was 
graduated with his degree in 1886. Dr. Ke- 
fauver immediately settled at Stoutsville and 
here, for the past twenty-six years has been 
continuously in practice. He is recognized as 
a very able member of his profession, belongs 
to all the leading medical organizations and 
for the past twelve years has been a member 
of the county board of pension examiners. He 
is also a member of the board of regents of 
Heidelberg University and one of the trustees 
of the Lancaster Classics. 

Dr. Kefauver was married in December, 
1 89 1, to Miss Mary E. Baker, a daughter of 
Hon. Ceorge S. and Rachel Baker, natives of 
Stoutsville, O. Dr. and Mrs. Kefauver have 
three sons : Ross B., Addison L. and Robert S. 

JOHN W. KUNKLER, a member of the 
board of trustees of Berne Township, residing 
on his excellent farm of eighty-four acres, has 
additional interests, engaging in threshing 
during the season, and baling hay extensively, 
and he also owns and operates a traction saw- 
mill. He was born in Cood Hope Township, 
Hocking County, O., February 24, 1872, and 
is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Kost) 
Kunkler. 

The parents of John W. Kunkler were both 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



781 



born in Hocking County but have resided near 
Bremen, in Fairfield County, for over a quar- 
ter of a century. The father has frequently 
served in public offices in Rush Creek Town- 
ship and is one of the highly respected citizens 
of that section. On both his side and that of 
his wife, the ancestry is German. Of their 
children seven survive, as follows : John W., of 
Berne Township; Christian V., of Hocking 
County; Clara, wife of William Smeltzer, of 
Rush Creek Township; Margaret, of Rush 
Creek Township; Stephen and Edward, both 
of South Dakota; and Philip, of Rush Creek 
Township. 

John W. Kunkler was ten years old when he 
accompanied his parents to Fairfield County 
and he grew to manhood in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, where he attended school during boyhood. 
In the fall of 1898 he came to Berne Township, 
where he has been a leading citizen for the past 
twelve years. He has served two terms as 
township road supervisor and is chairman of 
the board of township trustees, in which he is 
serving in his second term. Mr. Kunkler has 
also been a school director of District No. 12, 
Berne Township. In politics he is a Democrat. 
He married Miss Annie Bash, who was born 
at Logan, O., a daughter of Morn Bash, and 
seven children have been born to them, 
namely: Wilfred J., Mary A., Charles L., Leo, 
John H., Susan M. and Harold. Mr. Kunkler 
and family are members of the Roman Cath- 
olic church at Sugar Grove. 

AMOS J. WINEGARDNER, general 
farmer and stock raiser, who resides on the 
old Winegardner homestead containing 120 
acres, situated in Richland Township, Fairfield 
County, O., one mile north of Rushville, was 
born in 1869 and is a son of Herbert and 
Sarah (Anspach) Winegardner, both families 
being formerly of Perry County, O. The 



father of Mr. Winegardner died at the age of 
seventy-five years. There were five children 
in the family, namely: Margaret, who married 
AI. Fisher and lives in Perry County; Eliza- 
beth, who lives in Perry County; G. W., who 
married Florence Daniels ; Owen, who married 
Elsie Zartman, and lives in Perry County; and 
Amos J. 

Amos J. Winegardner was reared on the 
home farm and obtained his education in the 
district schools. He was well trained in boy- 
hood and youth concerning agricultural mat- 
ters and has devoted his mature life to farm 
pursuits, meeting with a large degree of suc- 
cess. 

Mr. Winegardner married Miss Minta 
Drumm, a daughter of Jacob and Amanda 
(Turner) Drumm, of Perry County, O. Mrs. 
Winegardner has four brothers — George, Ben- 
jamin, Orrin and Findlay; and three sisters — 
Mahala, who married Charles Turner; Lou, 
who married S. Hoover, of Perry County ; and 
Tona, who is at home. The father of the 
above mentioned family is now eighty-two 
years of age, and two of his sons, Findlay and 
Orrin, still live at home. George and Benja- 
min both have domestic circles of their own, 
Benjamin having married Netta Van Tossel, 
of Licking County, and George, Tela Crickert. 
Mr. and Mrs. Winegardner have five children, 
as follows : Guy, Dale, Raymond, Remola and 
Irene. Mr. Winegardner and family belong to 
the Evangelical church, in which he is a dea- 
con. He is a Democrat in his political opin- 
ions. He is one of the good citizens and re- 
spected residents of Richland township. 

THOMAS MOVER, who is one of the well 
known and highly respected citizens of Pleas- 
ant Township, who has resided on his present 
well improved farm since 1851, was born May 
25, 1S33, in Perry County, O. His parents 



782 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



were Jacob and Margaret R. (Young) Moyer 
and his grandfather was George Moyer. 

George Moyer was born in Germany and 
after emigrating to the United States, settled 
in York County, Pa. He married there and 
moved to Fairfield County when his son, Jacob, 
was twelve years old. The latter spent his en- 
tire life in Ohio and became a well known man 
in Fairfield County, where he died in his 
eighty-seventh year. He married Margaret R. 
Young, who was born in Fairfield County, and 
of their children five survive: Thomas; John, 
who lives at Delaware, O. ; Margaret, who is 
the wife of George W. Cruit, of Hocking 
Township, Fairfield County; Mary, who is the 
wife of John B. Eversole, of Douglas County, 
111. ; and Laura J., who is the wife of J. H. 
Beery, of the State of Washington. 

Thomas Moyer was reared in Pleasant 
Township and enjoyed the educational 
privileges of the public schools. From youth 
he has been interested in agricultural pursuits 
and for sixty years has resided on his present 
farm. He devotes his land to general farming 
and stock raising and is looked upon as one of 
the very successful agriculturists of this sec- 
tion. He stands high in the esteem of his fel- 
low citizens as a man, at all times having been 
a good influence in his community. 

Mr. Moyer married Miss Catherine Jackson, 
who was born in Fairfield County, a daughter 
of Samuel Jackson, more familiarly known as 
"Esqr. Jackson," who for a number of 3'ears 
was a justice of the peace and a resident of 
Berne Township, Fairfield County, Ohio. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Moyer four children were born, 
namely : John E., who is a resident of Pleas- 
ant Township; Elizabeth, who is the wife of 
J. H. Eversole, of Champaign, 111.; Jennie J., 
who is the wife of Dr. P. J. Bidwell, a promi- 
nent physician of Toledo, O. ; and Emma, who 
is now deceased. Mr. Moyer and family are 



members of the First Presbyterian Church at 
Lancaster, O., and he formerly was a member, 
trustee and elder in the Presbyterian church at 
\Vest Rushville. He casts his vote with the 
Republican party. 

WTLLIAM I. HOY, a large buyer and ship- 
per of stock and a general farmer in Bloom 
Township, Fairfield County, O., where he 
owns 130 acres of well improved land, situated 
three miles south of Lithopolis, was born in 
this township in i860, and is a son of Peter 
and Margaret (Carter) Hoy. 

The Hoy family came to Fairfield County 
from Pennsylvania several generations ago, as 
early as the great-grandfather's time, and 
Peter Hoy and his son, William Hoy, were 
both born in the house the pioneer grand- 
father built. Peter Hoy was a farmer all 
his life and died at Canal Winchester, when 
in his seventy-fifth year. He was married 
three times ; first to Margaret Carter, and they 
had two children — William and Sarah — the 
latter of whom is deceased. His second mar- 
riage was to Anice Courtright and they were 
the parents of two children — Mary, who is de- 
ceased, and Margaret, who married Ross 
Hedges. Peter Hoy's third marriage was to 
Clara Hanway. 

William Hoy attended the public schools in 
his youth and engaged in farming on the old 
homestead for some years and then, after a 
trial of several other farms, in 1894 moved to 
his present place, where he has 130 acres and 
his two daughters have eighty-seven acres. 
Mr. Hoy has been careful in his improvements 
and has erected substantial and attractive 
buildings. In addition to his general farming 
he is associated with J. M. Glick in the live- 
stock business and they are among the largest 
buyers and shippers in this section. 

Mr. Hoy was married first to Miss Sarah 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



783 



Hall, who died some twenty-five years since, 
a daughter of Peter Hall. She was survived 
by two daughters : Mary, who is the wife of 
Noah Beery, of Columbus, and has one child, 
Ireta; and Estella, who is the wife of Walter 
Bopp, and has one daughter, Marie. Mr. Hoy 
was married a second time, to Miss Laura 
Barnhart, of Fairfield County, a daughter of 
George Barnhart, a well known farmer. Po- 
litically, Mr. Hoy is a Democrat, while fra- 
ternally he is a Mason and a Knight of 
Pythias. 

JOHN TRAFFORD BRASEE, in former 
years a leading light of the Fairfield County 
Bar, and one of the county's most eminent citi- 
zens, as well as one of the state's most eminent 
jurists, was born near Hillsdale, Columbia 
County, N. Y., December 24, 1800, a son of 
William and Magdalen (Trafford) Brasee. 
His paternal grandfather, Andreas Brasee, 
served in the Revolutionary War, as a member 
of the Tenth Regiment, Albany Company 
( Land Bounty Rights). 

At the time of our subject's birth his parents 
were residing on the farm of John Trafford, 
father of Magdalen. Mrs. Magdalen Brasee 
died in 1808 and was survived a few years by 
her husband. Our subject, with his sisters 
Jane and Amanda, and his brother Morton, 
subsequently continued to live with their 
grandfather, John Trafford, until the latter's 
death in 1809. Then their uncle, Benjamin 
Snyder, came to live at the old home and John 
T. Brasee remained with him for about one 
year. From then until the year 1818 he was 
placed by his guardians, Perley Foster and 
Aaron Reed, among dift'erent families, by 
whom he was employed in various occupations, 
being allowed to attend school occasionally in 
the w inter months. 

During the winter of 181 7- 18 he went to 



school to /Vrnold Truesdell, a young man but a 
very comi>etent teacher. He spent this time in 
improving his penmanship and in completing 
his knowledge of arithmetic. While attending 
this school he wrote into a book provided for 
the purpose the entire contents of Dabell's 
arithmetic and worked out every sum therein 
and copied the work into that book. Thus the 
whole subject became very familiar to him and 
he never afterward had any difficulty in solv- 
ing the most abstruse problems. 

In February, 1818, he went to Canandaigua, 
in Ontario County, N. Y., where he was em- 
ployed by John W. Beal, a manufacturer of tin 
and copper ware, who had a store devoted to 
the sale of articles of his own manufacture, to- 
gether with hardware. He remained in the em- 
ploy of Mr. Beal until the September follow- 
ing. While here he attended the Episcopal 
church, the rector of the parish being the Rev. 
Mr. Onderdonk, who afterward became bishop 
of Western New York. After he had been in 
Mr. Beal's store two or three months, his em- 
ployer started a branch store in a more business 
part of the city, in a house owned by Asa Stan- 
ley, a tanner, who had a leather store there, and 
young Brasee was placed in charge of both 
stores, doing all the buying — a fact which 
shows that he had already established a char- 
acter for intelligence and general reliability. 

After remaining here about six months Mr. 
Brasee decided to emigrate to Ohio. He and 
two companions hired a conveyance, put their 
trunks aboard and set out for Olean Point. 
When they reached the Allegheny River they 
found that the water was too low for naviga- 
tion. They waited here for it to rise until their 
patience became exhausted. They then built a 
flat-boat and started on their w-ay, taking some 
food with them but depending for their meat 
upon the friendly Indians along the way. No 
w hite people were seen until they reached War- 



784 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ren, a little town on the north bank of the 
river. From here they went to Pittsburg, 
where they remained about ten days, waiting 
for their trunks, which they had left behind to 
be shipped to them by the regular boat as soon 
as the water should be high enough for navi- 
gation. 

After their trunks arrived they took passage 
on a family boat owned by Roswell and Ora 
Crane, who were going to a point just below 
Portsmouth, where they had bought a farm. 
This point they reached in quick time. They 
then took passage on another family boat for 
Cincinnati. 

The day after he arrived in Cincinnati Mr. 
Brasee started for Wilmington in Clinton 
County, being attracted to that place by hear- 
ing that two men from Hillsdale whom he 
knew — Arnold Truesdell, his old teacher, and 
Jacob Bosworth — had established themselves 
as merchants there, and from whom he hoped 
to receive employment. But on reaching the 
place he found that they had sold out their 
business and had no employment themselves. 
The next day, at the suggestion of his two 
friends, he called at the office of Isaiah Morris, 
the clerk of the court, and it was agreed be- 
tween them that Mr. Brasee should enter his 
employ as clerk and receive $15.00 per month, 
he to pay his own board, which cost him $5.00 
per month. He remained here during that 
winter and until the middle of the next sum- 
mer and was very attentive to what transpired 
there. It was at this time that he decided to 
become a lawyer. 

Francis Dunlevy, a member of the conven- 
tion which formed the first constitution of 
Ohio, his son Howard, and Thomas Corwin, 
were the first lawyers from Lebanon. William 
R. Coal and James Radcliffe were the resident 
lawyers. Knowing his education to be defect- 
ive, Mr. Brasee made inquiry for the best 



school in Ohio and was directed to the Ohio 
University at Athens, Ohio. He proceeded to 
Athens, reaching there shortly after the 
Fourth of July, 1819, and went to board with 
Gen. John Brown, with whom he boarded 
almost continually for seven years. He im- 
mediately entered the grammar school of the 
college, having about $100 of J. H. Piatt's 
money, which was the principal currency at 
that day in that part of Ohio. He gave it as 
payment on his board to General Brown. 

He had not been in Athens long before he 
made the acquaintance of Henry Bartlett, the 
clerk of the court, and was employed by him to 
assist him whenever he had leisure time. After 
being there for a couple of years he taught a 
^•illage school for one quarter. In January, 
1824, Mr. Thomas Ewing was desirous of em- 
ploying a competent teacher to take charge of 
the Academy at Lancaster and Mr. Brasee was 
employed at $200.00 for six months, he first 
having obtained leave of absence from the 
faculty of his college. 

Coming to Lancaster with Mr. Ewing, he 
stopped at John Noble's hotel. That evening, 
in the parlor of that hotel he met the trustees 
of the Academy. These included Mr. Ewing, 
Judge Scofield, John Noble, Samuel F. Mac- 
Cracken, David Reese and others. After in- 
forming him about their academy, the meeting 
adjourned with the understanding that he was 
to enter upon his duties the next day. They 
informed him that the institution had two de- 
partments, one for classical and advanced and 
the other for the younger scholars, that was in 
cliarge of a man whose name was Conger, over 
whom he was expected to keep constant super- 
vision. 

He remained here without intermission for 
six months, which brought him to August, 
1824 — the time when the commencement at 
Athens too place. He returned to Athens, 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



785 



graduated with his class and declined a reap- 
pointment as instructor in the Academy. 

Soon after his return to Athens, Mr. Bart- 
lett, being an aged man, gave him charge of all 
his clerical work — dividing fees equally — and 
the possession of a room near his office where 
he could read law. He began the study of law 
with Joseph Dana, the professor of languages 
in the college, who came every Saturday night 
to examine him in his studies. In the spring 
of 1826 — his two years of the study of law 
had expired — he having entered himself as a 
law student before his graduation. At that 
time he was well qualified for admission to the 
bar. When the Supreme Court met at Bur- 
lington in Lawrence County, he was examined 
by Judges Peter Hitchcock and Jacob Burnett 
and was admitted to the bar. He selected Gal- 
lipolis as a good place to open his law office. 
Thomas Irvin, who lived there had the winter 
previous been elected President Judge, and 
Samuel F. Vinton was then and for several 
years afterward a member of congress. He 
provided himself with a fine horse and other 
necessary things and began to attend the courts 
regularly in the counties of Gallia, Lawrence, 
Scioto, Pike, Jackson, Athens, Washington 
and Meigs, and at Point Pleasant, Va. 

His practice grew far exceeding his expecta- 
tions, and by the fall term of 1829 he pur- 
chased a fine lot, paid for it and commenced 
the building of a two-story dwelling. In 
November of that year — 1829 — he was mar- 
ried to Mary Jane Scofield, daughter of Judge 
Elnathan Scofield of Lancaster, O. That 
winter they boarded with the widow of Ed- 
ward W. Tupper and in the spring following 
moved into their new home, which was just 
completed. 

In 1832, while Mr. Brasee and his family 
were on a visit to Mrs. Brasee's father, Judge 
Scofield, they were persuaded to sell out in 



Gallipolis and move to Lancaster — much 
against Mr. Brasee's will at first, for he had 
gained a valuable practice at Gallipolis and he 
considered the Lancaster bar already crowded 
with very able men, but he finally consented. 
Judge Scofield's only other child, Eliza, had 
just been married to James Stanberry, of New- 
ark, Ohio, a nephew of the Hon. Henry Stan- 
berry. 

In the spring of 1833 they started for Lan- 
caster — Mr. Brasee, his wife and two children, 
Ellen and John. They went from Gallipolis to 
Portsmoutlii on a steamer, thence by canal to 
Circleville, where they took a carriage and 
drove to Lancaster. They continued to live 
very happily in the home of Judge Scofield 
until the deaths of both Judge Scofield and his 
wife, which occurred in Noxember, 1841 — 
about two weeks apart. 

Mr. Brasee's law practice became very ex- 
tensive, covering not only this state but ex- 
tending into numerous other states and into 
the United States Courts. Mr. Brasee first ap- 
pears in the Ohio reports in the case of Smith 
vs. Bing, 3, O., 33, which was decided in 1827, 
the year after his admission. The Ohio bar, 
during Mr. Brasee's active career, contained 
many able men, of great ability and legal learn- 
ing. He stood as a peer among them and was 
not only an able advocate and profound lawyer, 
but a highly cultured and agreeable gentleman. 
He was noted on the circuit for his apt and 
quaint anecdotes. He was a brilliant speaker 
and was very successful before juries. His 
arguments on the facts of a case were remark- 
able for their completeness in presenting the 
whole case, showing the mastery of the facts 
and an appreciation of the strong and weak 
points on each side, and ability to sift evidence, 
and apply it to build up his theory as to the 
truth of the matter. His leading characteristic 
was his knowledge of the law in its most ele- 



786 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



mentary principles. In special pleading and in 
equity pleading he was a master and he was 
ready and proficient in all matters of evidence 
and practice, which made him formidable in 
the trial of cases. His forte was in arguments 
to the court. His mind was at once acute and 
logical and his industry was such that he was 
always found fully armed and ready for the 
fray, whoever might be the champion of the 
other side. 

Though decided in his political views, he 
could not be called a partisan and was never 
voluntarily a candidate for office. After the 
dissolution of the whig party, of which he was 
a member, and Ijefore the formation of the 
Republican party, while the opposition to the 
Democratic party \\ as in a transition and some- 
what chaotic state, he was in 1855 elected to 
the State Senate and he served during the two 
sessions of 1856-1857, and took an active and 
"leading part in the legislation of those two ses- 
sions, and particularly in perfecting the act for 
the "Bank of Ohio," which was his own idea. 
This law never went into effect in Ohio; it had 
the higher distinction of forming, with the law 
creating the State Bank of Ohio, the l)asis and 
prototype of the National Bank Act passed by 
Congress some seven years later. 

During the entire period of his professional 
career his practice was much larger by far than 
any other lawyer at the Lancaster bar. He 
was a giant among giants and was both a bril- 
liant speaker and advocate and a profound 
jurist. 

The Lancaster bar had national reputation, 
being composed of such men as Henry Stan- 
bery, Thomas Ewing, John T. Brasee and 
Hocking H. Hunter. Mr. Brasee came not as 
a stranger to Lancaster, having been a close 
personal friend and associate of the learned 
men of his day. He was a member of St. 
John's Episcopal Church and was one of the 



three men who paid the debt on the d 
building. 

Mr. Brasee's death took place on the 27th of 
October, 1880, when he had almost reached 
the age of eighty years. The following is an 
extract from the resolutions of the Lancaster 
Bar: 

"John T. Brasee, the last of his generation 
at this Bar, reaching the Psalmist's fullest limit 
of human life — four score years — more than 
half a century of which was given to active 
duty in honorable professional labors, needs 
no formal eulogy. 

"Few of us were born when he had already 
won the early triumphs of his fully rounded 
professional career. We grew 'in the glad- 
some light of jurisprudence' under the shadow 
of his acquired fame and learned from his ex- 
ample the sure way by which one must treat 
the rough and toilsome paths of professional 
duties — to such a goal as his — the trusted 
counsel, tlie winning advocate, the complete 
lawyer." 

In the year i860 he retired from active pro- 
fessional business and devoted the remainder 
of his life to the supervision and care of a 
large and valuable landed estate, accumulated 
chiefly through judicious investments of his in- 
come from the practice of the law. The estate 
which he left at his death was at that time the 
largest ever before administered upon in Fair- 
field County. 

Mr. Brasee was the father of eight children, 
as follows : Ellen Eliza married Theodore W. 
Tallmadge. John Scofield Brasee, born August 
19, 183J, died February 23, 1905. He mar- 
ried Mar}' Anna Dickinson, daughter of Dr. 
J. .\. Dickinson, a prominent physician and 
surgeon of Newark, O. ; Romaine died, aged 
three years; Mary Jane married Dr. J. H. 
Hammil, of Newark, Ohio; Clara Brasee 
married James Henrv Salisburv, M. D., of 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



787 



Cleveland, Ohio and New York City; Alice 
married George F. Witte, of New Orleans; 
Morton Elnathan was a lawyer of Columbus, 
Ohio; he died in 1870; George B. is a resident 
of Lancaster. 

DARIUS TALLMADGE, SR., was born 
at Schaghticoke, N. Y., June 30, 1800, being 
the youngest of the fourteen children of 
Josiah and Margaret Tallmadge. The father, 
Josiah Tallmadge, died when Darius was 
two years old; the mother when he had 
attained the age of ten years. Darius lived 
with his brother David until he was about 
fourteen. He then went to visit his brother 
Peter, in Dutchess Coimty, where he was em- 
ployed to teach school. At the age of twenty- 
one he went again to visit his brother Peter, 
who had moved to Varna, Tompkins County, 
N. Y. Here he married Sarah Ann, daughter 
of Jonas Wood and, having purchased forty 
acres of land, erected a small residence. As 
however, the revenue from his farm proved 
inadequate to his expenses, he became finan- 
cially embarrassed and decided to "go west" 
to seek his fortune. 

In the spring of 1825, accordingly, he and 
another young man named Jewell, walked to 
the Alleghany River, where they purchased a 
skiff to take them to Pittsburg, Pa. Here they 
sold their skiff and worked their further pas- 
sage on a flatboat, landing at Maysville, Ky., 
on the Ohio River, in April. Here young 
Tallmadge found employment in buying 
horses for his wife's uncle, John Wood. The 
horses were taken by him overland to New 
Orleans, where they were sold, the return trip 
being made by steamer up the Mississippi 
River. He was next employed by a Mr. 
Blanchard, as overseer of his plantation of 
500 acres, well manned with slaves. In 1826 
Darius sent for his wife, and accordingly her 

4li 



father sold his farm in New York and emi- 
grated with her and his entire family. Their 
first child, Theodore W., was born at Mays- 
ville, Ky., January 25, 1827. 

In 1830 the family moved to Tarlton, Ohio, 
making the journey overland by wagon. The 
house they occupied was owned by Dr. Otis 
Ballard and was located opposite the old hotel. 
Dr. Ballard and Darius Tallmadge became 
partners in the purchase and sale of horses. 
During one winter Mr. Tallmadge kept his 
horses on the farm of Col. Noble, one mile 
from Tarlton and resided in that gentleman's 
house. Mr. Noble was the father of John W. 
Noble, who was Secretary of the Interior in 
Benjamin Harrison's administration. 

An important change took place in Mr. 
Tallmadge's business prospects when he was 
soon after employed by the Ohio Stage Com- 
pany at a salary of $400 per year, with ex- 
penses paid while on duty. This sum repre- 
sented much more at that time than it would 
today. He was placed in charge of routes in 
the southern part of the State, the principal 
one being between Maysville. Ky., and Zanes- 
ville, O., via Chillicothe and Lancaster. This 
was the route necessarily taken by travelers 
bound east from central Kentucky, and Henry 
Clay was often a traveler over it, going from 
his home at Lexington to Washington, or 
return. 

Mr. Tallmadge's salary was increased rap- 
idly until it reached $1,200.00. He then be- 
came a partner in the Stage Company and 
was given exclusive ownership of his indi- 
vidual lines, which were run in the name of 
"D. Tallmadge," which name was inscribed 
in gilt letters on the door panels of every 
coach. Soon after becoming a partner in the 
business, he moved to Lancaster, as that point 
was more convenient for his work. This was 
about 1833. He had by this time a second 



788 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



son, James Augustus Tallmadge, who was 
born at Tarlton, O., Sept. 4, 1832. 

After a few years in Lancaster, Mr. 
Tallmadge purchased of a Mr. Myers, the 
large brick house on the west side of Co- 
lumbus St., between Mulberry and Union 
Streets, and remodeled it. It was afterwards 
sold to Theo. Mithoff. Later he purchased 
500 acres of land of John Creed half a mile 
west of Lancaster, and here he built a fine 
brick residence, which was his home for 
several years. He built a plank walk from the 
city through the low lands to his gate, and 
planted a willow tree every thirty feet to 
shade the walk. Mr. Tallmadge purchased 
the entire stock of the Ohio Stage Co., which 
he owned until it went out of existence, being 
forced to the wall by the encroachments of 
the railroads. 

His son, James A. Tallmadge, went to Val- 
paraiso, Chili, where he died of typhoid fever, 
June 26, 1856. The father did not learn of 
his son's death until six months later. He 
then sent a monument to be placed over his 
son's grave, which stone was placed by Dr. 
and Mrs. Trevitt, who were close personal 
friends of the family. Dr. Trevitt at that 
time was U. S. minister to Chili. 

Darius Tallmadge Sr., was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Hocking Valley Branch of 
the State Bank of Ohio, in 1847, and was 
made its president, which position he held for 
twenty years. In early life he had joined the 
Masons and he subsequently attained the 32d 
degree. He was also an Odd Fellow. In the 
month of May, 1873 he was attacked by pneu- 
monia and died at the "Tallmadge House" on 
Friday, March 27, 1874. During his last sick- 
ness he was baptized by Rev. T. R. Taylor 
of the M. E. Church. He was buried in Elm- 
wood cemetery in the family burial lot. 

Mrs. Sarah Ann Tallmadge, (nee Wood) 



Mr. Tallmadge's. first wife, was born April 
28, 1806. Their marriage took place Sept. 
15, 1821, and she died June 23, 1849. Mr. 
Tallmadge's second marriage was to Elizabeth 
Creed, at Lancaster, Ohio, in October, 1850. 
She died in Trenton, N. J., in the year 1902. 

THEODORE WOOD TALLMADGE, 
son of Darius and Sarah Ann (Wood) Tall- 
madge, was born at Maysville, Ky., January 
25, 1827. He moved with his parents to Tarl- 
ton, Ohio, and then to Lancaster, in 1833. For 
several years he was a pupil in Samuel 
Howe's Academy. At the age of thirteen he 
was sent to Augusta College, Ky., on the Ohio 
River, twenty miles below Maysville, where 
he remained two years. In September, 1842 
he entered the Ohio University at Athens, O., 
and from here he went to Princeton College 
(N. J.), November 10, 1843, ^"^ after ex- 
amination was placed in the sophomore class, 
being then only sixteen years of age. He was 
graduated July 24, 1846 and received his B. 
A. degree, his M. A. degree being received in 
1849. He studied law in the office of Henry 
Stanberry and was admitted to practice 
December 2, 1848. In 1849 he became a law 
partner of John T. Brasee under the firm 
name of Brasee and Tallmadge. This part- 
nership was dissolved in 1852. . In 1854 he 
became president of the Upper Wabash Bank, 
at Wabash, Indiana. He moved to Columbus, 
Ohio, in April, 1859. In 1861 he was made 
Quartermaster on the staff of Henry Wilson, 
ranking Major General of the Ohio militia. 
When the militia of the state was reorganized 
in the following May, Mr. Tallmadge was 
commissioned assistant quartermaster and 
Commissary of Subsistence by the Governor 
of Ohio, with the rank of Captain in the Ohio 
volunteer militia. In July, 1863 Governor 
Tod ordered the militia to Camp Chase and 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



789 



Captain Tallmadge was placed on duty as 
Quartermaster. He also served in the West 
Virginia campaign on the staff of Gen'l Rose- 
cranz. 

In March, 1862, Mr. Tallmadge established 
the business of prosecuting soldiers' claims at 
Columbus, Ohio, and was soon the most 
prominent claim agent in the State of Ohio. 
In October, 1878 he moved his office to Wash- 
ington. He was a member of the Federal Bar 
Association of Washington, D. C. ; member 
of Burnside Post, No. 8, Department of the 
Potomac, G. A. R., and was elected three 
times as Chaplain. He served as Aide-de- 
camp on the staff of Col. Chas. P. Lincoln; 
also in the same capacity on the staff of Com- 
manders-in-chief, William Warner and Whee- 
lock G. Veazey, and Commander Dinsmore 
of the Department of the Potomac. The 
death of Theodore Wood Tallmadge occurred 
in Washington, D. C, December 2, 1904. 
Wealthy, cultured, and able in every sphere of 
activity to which he was called, he was a man 
of mark, highly respected, and esteemed by a 
wide circle of friends. 

On October 2d. 1849, Mr. Tallmadge mar- 
ried Ellen Eliza Brasee, a daughter of John 
Trafford Brasee, of Lancaster, Ohio. She 
died February 2, 1865. at Columbus. O., and 
was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. They 
were the parents of si.x children — Mary, 
Sarah, Frank, James, Darius and Theodore, 
whose record in brief is as follows : Mary, 
born August 20, 1850, died February 11, 
1851. Sarah, born January 9, 1852, married 
Henry Alvan Stephens, of Cleveland, O., who 
is now deceased. Frank, born January 9, 
1854, married Abbie May Hedges, at Pitts- 
burg, Pa., Oct. I, 1879. Their children are 
Trafford Brasee Tallmadge, born July 28, 
1880, who married. December 10, 1902, Ethyl 
Thompson, and has one son, Trafford Wood 



Tallmadge; and Harold Hedges Tallmadge, 
born at Columbus, O., Nov. 5, 1883, who mar- 
ried Agnes Lee Smith, and died March 12, 
1908. James, (fourth child of Theo. and 
Ellen), bom June 6, 1857, died Aug. 14, 
1858. Darius, born May 9, 1859, at Colum- 
bus, O., married Nettie Jones, December, 
1884 and has two children — Helen, born Dec. 
29, 1885, who married Paul Lindenburg; and 
Katherine, born January i, 1894. Theodore 
(si.xth son of Theo. and Ellen), born Nov. 
1862, married Leah Gapen and has two chil- 
dren — .\lvan Brasee Tallmadge and Elinore 
Cresap Tallmadge. 

After the death of his first wife, Theodore 
Wood Tallmadge married secondly Harriot 
Washington Parks, June 27, 1867, a daughter 
of Maj. Andrew Parks and great grand niece 
of George Washington. Two children were 
born of this union — Flora, born Oct. i, 1868, 
who died in Washington, D. C, Feb. 13, 1900, 
and is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery; and 
Andrew, born January 16, 1870. 

DANIEL BEERY TIDD.— The history of 
Fairfield County and Lancaster would hardly 
be complete without something about the 
Tidd family. 

Alvertus L. and Nancy R. Tidd were resi- 
dents of Berne and Pleasant townships for 
many years and reared an interesting family 
of five sons and one daughter — ^Jacob L., 
Francis M., Charles Henry, Daniel B., Will- 
iam W. and Mary A. V. Tidd. The family 
became famous in its neighborhood for its 
musical and intellectual entertainment quali- 
ties and when they were all at home, before 
the children became scattered, their home was 
a popular place for neighbors and friends at 
which to spend social evenings, and be enter- 
tained with vocal and instrumental music and 
elocutionary efforts. So great was the talent of 



790 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



the boys in this respect, together with a natu- 
ral gift for theatricals, that the "College Hill" 
school house in Berne township, which they 
attended for many years was made famous by 
the "spelling schools," and "exhibitions" fre- 
quently given during the winter terms. On 
these occasions the Tidd boys had leading 
parts in especially prepared programs, in which 
Francis always figured as a comedian — and 
no professional theatrical company ever pro- 
duced a better; Charles, William and Mary 
were the musicians, and Daniel B. frequently 
wrote the addresses and songs, the music of 
the latter being composed by Charles. 

As the boys grew to man's estate they be- 
came widely scattered, Francis and William 
settling in Florida, Jacob L. in Xew York 
state and Charles H. in Arizona. Mary mar- 
ried in Florida, while on an extended visit to 
her brothers in 1891, and three years later 
died, leaving a bright little two-year-old 
daughter, Ruth, who is now living with an 
aunt in Toronto, Canada. William died at 
Jacksonville, Florida, from an operation for 
appendicitis, in August, 1910, leaving a 
widow and one child — a son, Elvis, aged 18 
years. 

Daniel B. Tidd was the only one of the boys 
who remained in Fairfield County and he 
carefully looked after his parents in their de- 
clining years. He served as assistant post- 
master at Colfax under his Ijrother, Jacob L., 
for a number of years and in 1891 was ap- 
pointed deputy probate judge under Probate 
Judge E. C. Rutter, and served with rare 
efficiency for six years. 

He was a Democratic candidate for probate 
judge in 1896 and again in 1902 but because 
of his youth, more than anything else, he was 
defeated. He received a good vote yet his 
friends have never been able to induce him 
to run again for the office. After leaving the 



probate judge's office in the spring of 1897 he 
at once became city editor of the Lancaster 
Daily Eagle and the weekly Ohio Eagle, which 
position he has ably filled ever since. It has 
been said of him that no better newspaper 
man has ever lived in the county and that no 
man in the county has a wider acquaintance. 
He has served as correspondent for many of 
the big city papers and has won an enviable 
reputation for accuracy and devotion to the 
work. 

He was elected \-ice mayor of Lancaster 
and president of the city council in 1909, 
when opposed by one of the strongest Repub- 
licans in the city, having a majority of 300 
votes. He served two years and in January, 
1912 was elected clerk of the city council, 
which office he is now filling, besides carrying 
on his newspaper work. The writer knows of 
several other good positions that have been 
offered him but which he declined, preferring 
to remain with The Eagle. 

On September 19, 1894 he was married to 
Miss Clara Ellen Junkerman, a cultured and 
refined teacher in the Lancaster public schools 
and the very happy union has been blessed 
with two bright little daughters, Eloise and 
Dorice, now aged thirteen and nine years re- 
spectively. They own and reside in a very 
comfortable home at No. 327 East Fifth 
avenue, one of the best resident streets in the 
city. 

[Mr. Tidd has greatly aided in the collec- 
tion of accurate data for this volume, his wide 
acquaintance, and extended knowledge being 
of great service. Editor.] 

WILLIAM MEREDITH WIKOFF was 
born in Richland township, Fairfield county, 
Ohio, March 20, 1855, a son of William and 
Margaret A. (Stockard) Wikoflf. His youth 
and early manhood were spent on a farm ad- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



791 



joining the village of New Salem, Walnut 
township. 

The father of William M. Wikofif was 
born in Adams county in 1S12; he was a 
Dutch descent. The Wikoffs came to Ohio 
from Kentucky ; the oldest generations 
came to Kentucky from New Jersey, where 
they had settled on their arrival from Hol- 
land in 1775. 

Mr. Wikofif's mother, Margaret Ann 
Stockard, was born in Virginia, near Staun- 
ton, in' 1816. When five years old she emi- 
grated with her parents and a brother to 
Ohio, and settled in Richland township, 
Fairfield county. Three weeks after their 
arrival the husband, Charles Stockard, fell 
dead in the yard of a relative, leaving the 
widow with two small children. A few years 
afterward she married Rev. James B. Gur- 
ley, a pioneer Methodist preacher, whose 
circuit extended from the Ohio river to 
Baltimore, Fairfield county. 

The Wikoflfs were Methodists in church 
relationship and their homes were preach- 
ing places for that denomination in the earl- 
iest times ; they were firm believers in, and 
strong advocates of the earliest doctrines of 
the Methodist church. In politics they 
drifted from the Democratic party to the 
Whig party, and when the Republican party 
was organized they cast their lots with that 
party and have so affiliated, in general, to 
the present day. 

William M. Wikofif attended the common 
schools at New Salem, Walnut township, 
and the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleas- 
antville, Ohio, in its most successful days. 
Rev. William Hastings, Prof. Abraham 
Freed, Prof. Brown, Prof. Wilkerson, Prof. 
John F. Alford, being his teachers. He was 
a tutor in the institute for a time under the 
management of John F. Alford. After com- 



pleting the prescribed course at the Acad- 
emy, he attended a normal term at the Ohio 
Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio, 
lie completed a classical course in Adrian 
(Jollege at Adrian, Mich., in June, 1882. For 
five years before going to college he taught 
In the common schools, saving enough 
money to pay his expenses while at college. 
iVfter completing his college course he lo- 
cated in Homer, Champaign county, 111., 
where he had the superintendency of their 
schools for three years. 

In 1884 he was married to Catharine Al- 
wilda Geiger, daughter of Herbert and 
Sarah (Lamb) Geiger, of New Salem. After 
three years' residence in Homer, 111., he 
came back to Ohio and located in Thorn- 
ville, Perry coutny, Ohio, where he was su- 
perintendent of the schools for seven years. 
In 1889 he was elected to the superintend- 
ency of the McConnelsville schools in Mor- 
gan county, Ohio, in which place he resided 
for four years, until the death of his sister, 
when he removed to Fairfield county, look- 
ing after his property. Here he resided for 
ten years, during which time he organized 
the schools and very largely was responsible 
for establishing the Walnut Township High 
School at Thurston, in which he taught for 
several years. During these years he was 
business manager of the "Lancaster Camp 
Meeting and Assembly." 

In 1903 he removed to Columbus, Ohio 
for the education of his six children, two of 
whom are in the Ohio State University, one 
in the Columbus High School, and the 
others in the grades. For three years he 
taught in the Shepard High School and at 
present he is teaching in Gahanna High 
School, in Franklin county. He has traveled 
over the northern, eastern, western and 
middle parts of the United States, as well 



792 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



as into Canada. He, with his wife, has been 
a delegate to two International Sunday 
school conventions, one of which was held 
in Louisville, Ky., and the other in San 
Francisco, Calif., and one World Sunday 
school convention, which met in Washing- 
ton, D. C, He was candidate twice for rep- 
resentative on the Republican ticket, in 
Fairfield county, but owing to the over- 
whelming Democratic majority of Fairfield 
county, he was an unsuccessful candidate. 

The names of William M. Wikofif's chil- 
dren are respectively, Garnett Merrill, Ber- 
enice Floy, William Herbert, Charles 
Henry, Paul Geiger and Walter Meredith 
WikofT. The eldest son, Garnett Merrill, a 
student in the Ohio State University, has 
taken great interest in athletics; he holds 
the record of being the fastest two-mile run- 
ner in the state, making the two miles in 9 
minutes and 45 seconds. He has also won 
honors in athletic meets in Cleveland, Pitts- 
burg and Chicago. On April 6th, of the pres- 
ent year (1912), Garnett Wikoff won the two 
mile race at the Central A. A. U., Chicago, in- 
door track championship, establishing the new 
Central A. A. U. record of 9 14 1 2-5 and prov- 
ing that he is one of the best long distance men 
in the country. His performance was most 
remarkable in the fact that, having no strong 
competition, he was not even forced to extend 
himself. He is to be sent to the International 
Marathon at Stockholm, Sweden. Berenice 
Floy will graduate from the Ohio State Uni- 
versity in June, 1912. 

FERDINAND W. GETZ, undertaker 
and funeral director, who has been engaged 
in business at Lancaster, O., for the past 
twelve years, was born here August 6, 1870, 



a son of William and Phoebe (Plout) Getz. 
He is a grandson of Ferdinand Getz, a na- 
tive of Germany who came to Fairfield 
county, Ohio, in the thirties from Lancaster 
county. Pa., and who died in Lancaster, O., 
in 1890. He was twice married and two chil- 
dren of his first union grew to maturity — 
Henry and Anna. His second marriage was 
to Louise Schneider, who died in 1888, aged 
sixty-eight years. Her father, Frederick 
Schneider, was born in Germany and later 
resided in Lancaster County, Pa., removing 
from there to Lancaster, Ohio. The chil- 
dren born to the second marriage of Ferd- 
inand Getz were William, Charles, John, 
Frank and George — all of Lancaster, O. — 
and Cleora, who died young. 

William F. Getz, son of Ferdinand and 
father of Ferdinand W., was born in Lan- 
caster, Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1843. 
He was an architect by profession and later 
a contractor and builder. He was married 
to Phoebe Plout, who was born in Lancas- 
ter, Ohio, and died in 1899, she being the 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Slisher) 
Plout, both natives of Germany. To this 
union two children were born : Ferdinand 
W., whose name appears at the head of this 
sketch ; and Edith C, also a resident of Lan- 
caster. After his marriage, William F. Getz 
went to Illinois, remaining there some years. 
He then came back and was in the employ 
of Orman Brothers for a while, after which 
he became a funeral director and undertaker 
with his brother, Charles F. Getz, they suc- 
ceeding to the business in 1877 which had 
been established by his father, Ferdinand 
Getz. The latter owned several acres of 
land, in the northern part of the city, the 
tract extending from Broad to Columbus 
streets being included in the same. In 1891 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



793 



William F. Getz purchased the interest of 
his brother, Charles F., later retiring from 
the business, in 1903. 

Ferdinand W. Getz was reared in Lan- 
caster and attended both the common and 
high schools here. For a year after leaving 
school he was a clerk in the furniture store 
of George L. Eckert. After his father and 
uncle had dissolved partnership he took 
charge of the business for his father, becom- 
ing the sole proprietor thereof after the lat- 
ter's retirement in 1903. This business was 
first carried on by our subject's grandfather 
on what was known as Columbus Road and 
Lundy's Lane, now Fair Avenue. The pres- 
ent quarters, corner Columbus and Wheel- 
ing streets, were purchased by William F. 
Getz in 1879, although prior to that date 
removal had been made by Ferdinand Getz, 
the founder, to the Smith property between 
Wheeling and Main streets. Mr. Getz, the 
present proprietor, is well known in Lancas- 
ter and throughout the surrounding terri- 
tory and is held in high regard as a business 
man of ability and integrity. He has made 
undertaking and embalming a life study and 
is the only one in town in that line exclu- 
sively. He has an excellent professional 
equipment, including the first auto-ambu- 
lance in Fairfield County. 

In March, 1904, Mr. Getz was married to 
Miss Cora Pearl Kistler, of Bloom Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, a daughter of Elijah 
and Jane Kistler. The Getz family belong 
to St. Peter's German Lutheran Church. In 
politics Mr. Getz is a Democrat. Frater- 
nally he is identified with the Red Men, the 
Knights of Pythias and the Elks. 

JOHN TRAFFORD BRASEE. JR., was 
born in Lancaster, O., September i, i860, 
son of John Scofield Brasee and Mary Anna 



(Dickinson) Brasee. He began his educa- 
tion in the public schools, took Latin and 
Creek under Rev. Mr. Colton and Rev. E. 
B. Cartmell, rectors of the Episcopal church. 
He also spent four years at Kenyon College, 
where he was graduated in 1882 with the 
degree of A. B. He then read law in the 
office of his father. Judge John S. Brasee 
and was admitted to the bar in 1885, enter- 
ing into practice in partnership with his 
father, which professional association was 
continued until 1900 when he entered the 
State Department of Insurance of Ohio, 
and a short time afterwards became Deputy 
Insurance Commissioner for Ohio, for 
which position he was peculiarly fitted by 
reason of his superior legal attainments. 
Under his direction the insurance laws, in all 
their manifold workings, have been skill- 
fully and justly applied without undue fric- 
tion or delay, and his record in this office is 
one of the highest. He served the state in 
this capacity for an uninterrupted period of 
eleven years during the consecutive admin- 
istrations of Governors Nash, Herrick, Pat- 
tison, Harris and Harmon. 

On the subject of insurance and insurance 
law he is considered to be one of the best 
authorities in the state of Ohio. He is an 
able attorney and is forcible and eloquent 
as an orator. Governor Nash paid him a 
high compliment in saying that he was the 
"most brilliant man in the State House, the 
Supreme Court Judges not excepted." He 
has recently become president of the Cleve- 
land National Fire Insurance Company. He 
is a man of broad knowledge on various lit- 
erary, historical and other subjects and is a 
member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. 
He is a Republican in politics and an Epis- 
copalian in religious affiliation. Mr. Brasee 
is unmarried. 



794 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



CHARLES DICKINSON BRASEE was 
born Sept. 24, 1863. He was educated in 
the comfon schools and at Pleasantsville 
Academy and Zanesville Business College. 
After leaving school he devoted himself for 
several years to the management of his 
father's extensive farming lands. He then 
entered the office of his father, Judge John 
S. Brasee, where he read law, being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1893. He is now a very 
able and popular attorney and counsellor at 
law. His friends are legion. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics and in religion an Episco- 
palian. He is as yet unmarried. 

CHARLES JULIAN, one of the repre- 
sentative citizens of Madison Township, 
Fairfield County, C, a member of the town- 
ship board of trustees and the owner of a 
valuable farm of 150 acres, was born on this 
farm February 26, 1872, and is a son of Isaac 
and Ellen (Baughman) Julian. 

The parents of Mr. Julian were respected 
residents of Madison Township for many 
years, farming people and members of the 
Reformed church. They died on this farm 
and their burial was at Clearp.ort, O. They 
had eight children : Charles, Edward, Sarah, 
Frank, Delia, Arietta, Hattie and Leaffie, the 
last named being the wife of Martin Valen- 
tine. All are deceased except Charles and 
Leaffie. 

Charles Julian attended the public schools 
of Madison Township until he was fifteen 
years of age at which time he remained at 
home in order to assist his father and re- 
mained with the latter until his death, when 
by inheritance he received his present farm, 
which has substantial buildings and was well 
stocked. Mr. Julian has continued his farm 
activities and is numbered with the success- 
ful agriculturists of the township. 



On September 14, 1891, Mr. Julian was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Tobin, of 
Amanda, O., who was left an orphan in in- 
fancy. She has three brothers and two sis- 
ters: Joseph, Lee, Leota, Ida and John To- 
bin. Mr. and Mrs. Julian have four chil- 
dren : Ray, Leland, Fred and Paul. In polit- 
ics he is a Republican and in the November 
elections of 191 1 he was elected township 
trustee for a period of two years. He has 
always taken an interest in educational mat- 
ters and has served as a school director. 
With his family he attends the Methodist 
Episcopal church, while fraternally he is a 
member of Center Star Lodge No. 489, 
Knights of Pythias, at Amanda. 

JOHN D. AMSPAUGH,* a substantial 
and respected citizen of Greenfield Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., residing on his 
valuable farm of 100 acres, which he de- 
votes partly to stock raising, was born at 
Lancaster, O., April 13, 1857, and is a son 
of Jonas and Barbara (Daubmier) Ams- 
paugh. 

Jonas Amspaugh was born and reared in 
Hocking County, O., and was married there 
but moved to Fairfield County some fifty 
years ago and resided here for many years, 
finally removing to Darke County and lived 
there for thirty-five years. At the time of 
death, January 6, 191 1, he was in his eigh- 
tieth year. He wa^ a man of upright life 
and a worthy member of the Lutheran 
church. In his political views he was a Dem- 
ocrat. He was the father of nine children 
and the following survive : Mary, who is 
the wife of John Wilson, of Darke County; 
John D. ; Eliza, who is the wife of Joseph 
Ritchie, of Darke County; Susan, who is 
the wife of Charles Livingston, of Darke 
County ; Sarah, who is the wife of George 



i 




GEORGE \V. HUERSTLER, M. D. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



795 



Wise, of Darke County ; Jonas F. and 
George E., both of whom live in Darke 
County ; and EHzabeth, who is the wife of 
C. Morgan, of Darke County. 

John D. Amspaugh attended the district 
schools in Greenfield Township and with the 
exception of twelve years spent in Darke 
County, he has been a continuous resident 
of Fairfield County. In 1880 he settled on 
his present farm, on which he has made 
many improvements. He is a practical, well 
informed man and excellent farmer and his 
crops and stock are usually far above the 
average in the township. 

Mr. Amspaugh was married to Miss Mary 
J. Vought, a native of Greenfield Township 
and a daughter of John S. Vought, a former 
resident of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Am- 
spaugh have had nine children: Ida M., who 
is the wife of Charles Huber and lives in 
Marion County, O. ; Effie G., who is the wife 
of Oscar Eswein, and lives in Ohio; Edward 
C, who lives in Licking County; and Harry 
H., Ada M., Emmett, James, Howard and 
Carl. Mr. Amspaugh and family attend the 
Lutheran church at Lancaster. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 

GEORGE W. BOERSTLER, M. D., who 
occupies a very prominent position in med- 
ical circles at Lancaster and throughout Fair- 
field Co., O., has been in active practice 
here for over forty years and his name is 
identified with medical progress and scien- 
tific achievement. He was born at Lancas- 
ter, O., November 24, 1846, and is a son of 
Dr. George W. and Elizabeth (Schur) 
Boerstler. 

The father of Dr. Boerstler was also the 
son of a physician and for three generations 
the profession has been ably represented in 
this family. The late Dr. George W. 



Boerstler was born in 1792, of German par- 
ents, was reared in Maryland and graduated 
in medicine at Baltimore ; came to Lancas- 
ter, O., in 1833, where, after a life of useful- 
ness in his profession, he died in 1871. He 
was twice married, first to Elizabeth Sinks 
of Ohio, who died in 1838, and secondly to 
Elizabeth Schur, who survived until 1900. 

George W. Boerstler attended the Lan- 
caster schools and also had private instruc- 
tion and vei-y early developed tastes which 
led to his entering upon the study of medi- 
cine, his preceptor being his father, and from 
under this teaching he entered the medical 
department of Wooster University, Cleve- 
land, where he was graduated in the class 
of 1869, supplementing this by a post-grad- 
uate course in New York. He then estab- 
lished himself at Lancaster and for two dec- 
ades has been in the enjoyment of a sub- 
stantial practice brought about by his pro- 
fessional skill. Unlike many other medical 
men, he has never permitted outside inter- 
ests to distract his attention from his profes- 
sion, but has made it supreme. He is iden- 
tified with the American Medical Associa- 
tion and with the state and county organiza- 
tions and at various times has served on 
medical boards and in positions in which 
only a man of medical skill and experience 
could officiate. He served for some years 
as a member of the board of U. S. pension 
examiners and for four years was a member 
of the board of trustees of the Athens 
Asylum. On many subjects pertaining to 
both medicine and surgery he is considered 
an authority. 

Dr. Boerstler was married in 1872 to Miss 
Sally Reber Camp, who was born at San- 
dusky, O., and died in 1886. She was a 
daughter of John G. Camp, of Sandusky, and 
a granddaughter of a Revolutionary hero. 



796 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



To Dr. and Mrs. Boerstler one daughter was 
born to whom the name of her grandmother, 
Elizabeth, was given. She is the wife of an 
EngHsh gentleman, B. J. Swinnerton, and 
their home is in Staffordshire, Eng. Dr. 
Boerstler is a Democrat in his political 
views. Fraternally he is a Mason and is 
connected with the higher branches of the 
order. 

JOHN E. BEATTY, a well known resi- 
dent of Pleasant Township, Fairfield 
County, C, settled on his present place near 
Colfax, in 1883 and is engaged here in gen- 
eral farming. He was born at East Rush- 
ville, O., July 6, 185 1, and is a son of John A. 
and Orell K. (Davis) Beatty, and a grand- 
son of Patton Beatty, a pioneer of this sec- 
tion, who for many years lived at East Rush- 
\ille, Fairfield County. 

John A. Beatty, our subject's father, was 
born at East Rushville, C, and for many 
years was a prosperous business man — a 
dealer in and shipper of livestock. He died 
at Crook City, North Dakota, in 1890, after 
a short residence there. He was survived 
by his widow and children. The former, in 
maidenhood Orell K. Davis, was a native 
of Perry County, O. ; she died in 1900. 
Their surviving children are John E., Win- 
field S., of Rogers, Kans., Elmer B., of Den- 
ver, Colo., and Alza E., of Lancaster O. A 
twin sister of John E. was Orell Gertrude, 
who died when quite young. 

John E. Beatty was well educated, attend- 
ing the local schools and the Fairfield Union 
Academy at Pleasantville, in its days a noted 
educational institution. He married Miss 
Mary E. Huber, a daughter of David Huber, 
who, in his day, was t)ne of the prominent 
citizens of Pleasant Township. They had 
one son, Scottie E., who is now deceased. 



By a previous marriage with Elmira Beery, 
of Berne Township, Mr. Beatty had a 
daughter, Elmira G., who is also deceased. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at West Rushville. In politics he 
is a Republican. All these old families have 
been identified with the development of 
Fairfield County, and among them may be 
found not only progressive and successful 
farmers, builders of schoolhouses, support- 
ers of churches, but enterprising citizens in 
various other walks of life. 

I. B. BROWN, who resides on his well 
improved and very valuable farm of eighty- 
eight acres, which is situated in Section 22, 
Rush Creek Township, was born in Hock- 
ing County, August 29, 1854, and is a son 
of Thomas and Hannah (Beach) Brown. 

Thomas Brown and wife were both born 
in Westmoreland County, Pa., where they 
were reared and married and when they re- 
moved to Hocking County brought with 
them four surviving sons — William, David, 
Joseph and Samuel, two infant sons being 
deceased. In Hocking County the follow- 
ing children were born : James, an infant 
son, Lewis, Noah, Mary Jane, I. B., Albert, 
LeRoy and Oliver Thomas. Of these, I. 
B. is the only one who lives in Fairfield 
county. Thomas Brown and wife lived on 
the farm of 120 acres in Hocking County for 
the remainder of their lives. They were 
people of excellent repute and faithful mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church. His death, 
occurred at the age of eighty-four years and 
that of his widow when she was four years 
older. Four of their sons became ministers 
in the United Brethren church. 

After his school days were over, I. B. 
Brown learned the carpenter's trade and be- 
came a skilled workman as the tasteful ap- 




.lOH.X K. BKATTY 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



799 



pearance of liis own residence proves, he 
having- erected it himself. He has made 
many other improvements, having put up 
the substantial farm buildings and arranged 
his grounds. He purchased this place of 
Isaac Rowles, who was a son-in-law of Mr. 
Lehman, the original owner. This land 
which once was bought for $60 per acre 
could not now be purchased for $150. There 
are three producing oil and gas wells on the 
place. 

Mr. Brown married Miss Salome Stemen, 
who was born in Hocking County, O., a 
daughter of Abraham Steman, and they 
have had eight children namely: Freeman, 
who married Anna Piefie, resides at Bremen 
and has two children — Ruby and Paul ; Mil- 
ton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, who lives in Belmont County, and 
married Bertha Witters ; Walter, who died 
at the age of nineteen years ; Etta, who is 
the wife of E. R. Smeck, and lives near Col- 
umbus, O. ; Carl, Roland and Orlando, all of 
whom reside at home ; and an infant daugh- 
ter, who died unnamed. With one excep- 
tion, all the above family have been teachers 
and very acceptable ones. General farming 
is carried on by the sons, all of whom take a 
hearty interest in agricultural pursuits. In 
politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is 
president of the Board of Education of the 
.Special Bremen District and for six years 
has been an efficient and careful member of 
this body. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. 



GEORGE H. ZINK, a representative young 
business man of Lancaster, was born in Lan- 



caster, O., and is a son of John H. Zink and 
Margaret Theresa Powers Zink. His father, 
John H. Zink, was also born in Lancaster, his 
parents being among the proiuinent pioneer 
settlers. During the Civil War he served in 
Company I, 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, be- 
ing wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. 

For twenty-five years after his return to 
Lancaster he was connected with a large gro- 
cery firm. Later purchasing the entire interest, 
he associated his son, George H., with him, in 
the same location in which his father, Sylvester 
Zink had founded the business in the early 
days. He was always identified with the 
Democratic party. A loyal citizen, he gave 
generously of his time and purse in all that per- 
tained to the welfare of his native town. He 
was a devoted Catholic, intensely interested in 
the growth and development of his church. 
He married Margaret Theresa Powers, who 
with two children, George H. and Mary 
Blanche, survive. His death occurred July i, 
1910, at the age of sixty-seven years. 

George H. Zink received his education in the 
parochial school and from private tutors. For 
some years he was connected with the merchant 
tailoring firm of J. M. Rutherford & Co., but 
for the past sixteen years has been with his 
father. He is an enterprising, progressing 
man, owning a handsome, splendidly stocked 
store, and using an automobile delivery service. 
During the Spanish-American war he served 
in Battery G, Light Artillery, recruited at New- 
ark, Ohio. His fraternal connections are with 
the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Like 
his father he has always been identified with 
the best in the social and business life of Lan- 
caster. Mr. Zink and his family are members 
of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. 



800 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ZEBULON STUART resides on the old 
Stuart homestead, situated one-half mile 
north of Bremen, and was born here in 1853, 
a son of Thompson Stuart. 

Thompson Stuart was also born in Rush 
Creek Township and for many years was a 
general farmer here. He served as town- 
ship treasurer for twenty years. He reared 
a family of seven children, as follows : Wes- 
ley, who married Maggie Boling; Sarah 
Ann, who married William McCandlish ; 
James W., who married Dorah Hatcher; 
Mary, who married William Henry ; Emma, 
who was the wife of Rev. N. W. Good and 
died in 1901 ; Jane who married Chas Per- 
rin ; and Zebulon. 

With his brothers and sisters Zebulon 
Stuart attended the district school in boy- 
hood and assisted his father on the farm. 
He remained at home when the others mar- 
ried and established homes of their own and 
later purchased 62 acres from the other 
heirs. General farming is his main interest 
and he has made both crop and stock raising 
profitable. 

Mr. Stuart married Miss Mary Hillon and 
they have had five children, Earl, Eva, El- 
mer, Mildred and Ellis, the three last men- 
tioned being deceased. Earl resides at home 
and assists his father. Eva is the wife of R. 
E. Johnson, a farmer residing one and one- 
half miles north of Bremen. Mr. Stuart and 
family are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, which he is at present serving 
as an efScient member of the board of trus- 
tees. Politically he is a Republican and an 
active party worker. 

JOHN HENRY AXLINE, M. D.,* who 
has been engaged in the practice of medicine 
for thirty-seven years and during twenty-six 
of these has been a resident of Lancaster, 



0., stands very high in his profession and is 
ranked among the leading surgeons of Fair- 
field County. He was born August 18, 1849, 
near Fultonham or Uniontown, Muskingum 
County, 0., and is a son of Noah and Lu- 
cinda (Gibson) Axline. 

The Axline family is of German extrac- 
tion and the family annals show that three 
brothers of the name, all being officers in 
the German Army, came to the American 
colonies when the city of Philadelphia was 
only a settlement of sixteen log houses. It 
is claimed that one of these officers manu- 
factured the first gunpowder ever made in 
America, and on account of this enterprise, 
his estates were confiscated and he was ob- 
liged to find a new home in Virginia. The 
older members of this family lived long and 
retained their faculties and endurance into 
old age, the great-grandfather, who had 
served at Valley Forge, under General 
Washington, dying in his 105th year; his 
father had lived to be 115 years of age. The 
grandfather, who was anxious to participate 
in the War of 1812, was stricken with pneu- 
monia at that time and died twenty-two days 
later, being then aged ninety-two years. His 
name was John Axline and he was the 
founder of the family in Muskingum 
County, O. He married Christina Baker 
and they had six children: Daniel, Corne- 
lius, Jonathan, Mary, Noah and George. 

Noah Axline, father of Dr. Axline, was 
born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1822, and 
accompanied his parents to Muskingum 
County, and his death occurred at Somerset, 
Perry County, in 1902, when his age was 
seventy-nine years. He married Lucinda 
Gibson, a daughter of William Gibson, of 
Morgan County, C, and she survived until 
September 11, 191 1, passing away at the age 
of eighty-three years and seven months. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



801 



Five children were born to the above mar- 
riage, one of whom died in infancy, the sur- 
vivors being: John Henry; Samuel, a farmer 
near Somerset, O., who married Maria 
Hicks; Clarence E., a practicing physician 
at Bryan, III., who married Clara Tomp- 
kins ; and Minerva, who resides at Somerset. 

John Henry Axline was afforded educa- 
tional advantages, attending Fultonham 
Academy and later Muskingum College and 
still later took a course in Mt. Union Col- 
lege. He then entered upon the study of 
medicine in the ofifice of Dr. Howard Cul- 
berson, a prominent physician at that time 
at Zanesville, O., after which he spent one 
year in the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan, and the following year 
in the medical department of the University 
of Kentucky, where he was graduated in the 
class of 1875. Dr. Axline located first at 
Ruraldale, in his native county and practiced 
there for five years, moving then to Stouts- 
ville, where he remained five years more. 
In 1886 coming to Lancaster where he 
has remained. Dr. Axline is one of the 
earnest, conscientious men of his pro- 
fession and the fame, fortune and friend- 
ship that he has acquired have all been 
honorably earned through legitimate prac- 
tice and his name is held in esteem wher- 
ever mentioned. He is a valued member of 
the county and state medical organizations 
and of the American Medical Association, 
his son being identified with the same. 

In 1878, Dr. Axline was married to Miss 
Martha Melick, a daughter of Robert Me- 
lick, of Perry County, O., and two children 
were born to them, Clark Gibson, and a babe 
that died in infancy. Clark Gibson Axline 
was born September 21, 1879, and received 
his literary training in the public schools and 
at Wittenberg College. During the Span- 



ish-American War he served in the light 
artillery, from Newark, O., and afterward 
was graduated from Starling Medical Col- 
lege, in the class of 1908. Since then he has 
been associated in medical practice with his 
father at Lancaster, their offices being main- 
tained in the family residence at No. 140 
East Main Street, Lancaster. Dr. C. G. Ax- 
line is a captain of surgery, in the Ohio Na- 
tional Guards, with the rank of captain, and 
he is also surgeon for the Hocking Valley 
and the Muskingum Valley railroads. He 
was married on September 30, 1909, to Miss 
Abbie Simon, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah 
Jane Simon. Politically Dr. Axline and son 
are Republicans. The family attends the 
German Lutheran church. 

FRANK S. HEDGES, a representative citi- 
zen of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield 
County, Ohio, township trustee and owner of 
142 acres of valuable land, was bom in 1869, 
in Madison Township, Fairfield County, a son 
of Frank and Fannie (Cupp) Hedges. 

Frank Hedges was born in Fairfield County 
and was a son of Mathias and Lucy (Strick- 
ler) Hedges. His business was farming. 
During the Civil War he was a strong sup- 
porter of the Union and served three months 
in the Federal Army. Being always a man of 
temperance, he identified himself with the 
Prohibition party. His death occurred August 
16, 1907. From youth he had been a member 
of the U. B. church. He married Fannie 
Cupp, a daughter of Conrad Cupp. She still 
lives on the old homestead in Madison town- 
ship. They had five children : Malinda, who 
is the wife of Jacob Koch; George, who is de- 
ceased; Frank S., Owen and Marion. 

Frank S. Hedges obtained his education in 
the public schools and has made farming his 
main business in life. In 1897 he purchased 



802 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



eighty-four acres of his present farm, later 
adding twenty-one acres and still later, thirty- 
seven acres, and this property has all been 
carefully improved. Mr. Hedges cleared a 
large part of it, has done considerable tiling, 
has erected a handsome residence and other 
substantial structures. He engages in general 
farming and raises stock sufficient for his own 
use. 

On April 21, 1891, Mr. Hedges was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Kull, a daughter of Godfrey 
and Caroline (Schweikert) Kull, natives of 
Germany. Her paternal grandparents were 
Godfrey and Elizabeth (Hershberger) Kull, 
and her maternal grandparents were George 
and Caroline (Meyers) Schweikert. The par- 
ents of Mrs. Hedges were married in America. 
The mother died in February, 19 10, and the 
father now lives retired. He was in the saw 
mill business and later was a farmer. They 
always attended the Evangelical Lutheran 
church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kull the following 
children were born: Charles, William, 
George, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Fred and 
Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges have two chil- 
dren, Fannie and Lloyd, who attend school at 
Oakland. The family belongs to the Lutheran 
church. In politics Mr. Hedges is a Democrat. 
For a number of years he served in the office 
of township supervisor, was road superintend- 
ent for one year and has been school custodian 
since 1897, and in January, 19 12, entered upon 
the duties of his second term as township 
trustee. 

JOHN STRUCKMAN,* a retired farmer 
residing at Carroll, Ohio, to which pleasant 
town he came in 1906, for many years carried 
on farming in Fairfield county and still retains 
two farms, one situated in Greenfield Town- 
ship and the other in Liberty Township. He 
was born in Greenfield Township, July 13, 



1842, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Eb- 
right) Struckman. 

The parents of Mr. Struckman were born in 
Germany, came to America and the father en- 
gaged in farming in Greenfield Township. 
Fairfield County, Ohio, where he died in his 
fiftieth year. Of his children there are two 
sur\'ivors, Henry and John, the former of 
whom lives in Liberty Township. For some 
years the father lived with his family at Lan- 
caster, Ohio, and then, during the early boy- 
hood of his son, John Struckman, moved into 
Liberty Township, where his death occurred. 

John Struckman was about eight years old 
when his father died and he remained with his 
mother and the rest of the family in Liberty 
Township, where he attended school and after- 
ward learned the principles of farming. He 
was one of the organizers of the Farmers and 
Merchants Banking Company of Carroll, Ohio, 
and has served continuously on its board of 
directors. 

Mr. Struckman was married first to Miss 
Margaret Carnes and five children were born 
to them, but Mr. Struckman was forced to 
part with them all. They were : Emma E., 
James, John G., and two who died in infancy. 
Mr. Struckman was married second to Miss 
Louisa Schmidt, of Berne Township, Fairfield 
County. They attend the Lutheran church. 
He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Struckman 
belongs to the Farmers' Grange at Carroll. 

ELNATHAN SCOFIELD was born in 
Litchfield county. Conn., in 1773. He was of 
English ancestry, in direct line of descent from 
James Scofield, of Scofield, who, as recorded 
in Flower's Visitation of Lancaster, 1567; 
Chetham Society, Vol. 81, p. 127; Dugdale's 
Visitation of Lancaster. 1665, and Chetham 
Society, Vol. 88, p. 256. married a daughter of 
Leigh of Highleigh, county of Chester, Eng- 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



80(} 



land. The father of the subject of this notice, 
also named Elnathan Scofield, was born Octo- 
ber II, 1745, and was a Revolutionary soldier, 
serving in the company of his brother, Eben- 
ezer Scofield, which formed a part of the regi- 
ment known as tlie Fourth Westchester Regi- 
ment, Col. Thaddeus Crane. After the war 
was over the elder Elnathan Scofield came 
west to Ohio, settling in Union township, Lick- 
ing county, where he became a prominent citi- 
zen, serving as state senator, 1806 to 18 10. 

Elnathan Scofield, the younger, with whom 
we are more directly concerned, accompanied 
his father to Ohio. He became a surveyor by 
profession and made a contract with Rufus 
Putnam, August 7, 1800 — in connection with 
Ebenezer Buckingham — to survey a large 
number of townships in Ranges 16 to 22 in- 
inclusive, for which they were to be compen- 
sated at the rate of three dollars per mile. 
Congress having passed an act, March 17, 
1801, regulating the grants of lands appor- 
tioned for the refugees from the British pos- 
sessions of Canada and Nova Scotia. 

On May 30, 1801, he made a contract with 
the Government (which is on file in the Gen- 
eral Land Office at Washington, D. C.) to 
make a sub-division of townships in seven 
ranges of the said "Refugee" lands. The lands 
formed a narrow strip four and one half miles 
broad from north to south and extending east- 
ward from the Sciota river, forty-eight miles, 
covering an area of 100,000 acres, this includ- 
ing what is now the western portion of the city 
of Columbus. In 1801 Elnathan Scofield 
made the original survey of the city of Colum- 
bus, Ohio. 

Mr. Scofield also worked at his profession in 
connection with the Zane brothers, aiding in 
surveying all this tract of land and most of the 
early surveying for the city of Lancaster. He 
was in Lancaster about the year 1800. On 



February 5th of that year Ebenezer Zane con- 
tracted to straighten the public road from 
Wheeling, W. Va., to Limestone, Ky., since 
called Maysville, and the result of his efforts 
was called "Zane's Trace," a fuller account of 
w hich may be found elsewhere in this volume. 
This was the first attempt to open a highway 
in the Northwest Territory, and was a most 
successful one, as Zane's Trace became one of 
the famous highways of the country. 

Soon after Mr. Scofield settled in Lancaster 
he erected on his lot No. 11, scjuare 3, now lot 
^^, the first brick dwelling ever erected in Fair- 
field county, the bricks having been hauled 
from Zanesville, Ohio, in wagons. Here Mr. 
and Mrs. Scofield lived for a few years. Their 
two daughters were born here. 

Besides following the profession of a sur- 
veyor, Mr. Scofield w-as a general merchant 
and for some time had as partner John Mat- 
thews, who. howex'er, withdrew from the busi- 
ness in 1818. John Creed was at this time a 
clerk in the store. Mr. Scofield was county 
surveyor in 1805, also from 1800 to 1804 was 
surveyor of Licking county, or rather what is 
now so called, it being then a part of Fairfield 
county. He was elected to the Ohio State Sen- 
ate, serving in 1820-21-22, he was associate 
judge of the Common Pleas court in 1819-20, 
and was postmaster at Lancaster during the 
administration of John Quincy Adams, the of- 
fice at that time being located in his large new 
brick residence which he had built just a short 
time before, directly on the northwest corner 
of Main and Columbus streets. This home 
continued to be his place of residence until his 
death and was one of the finest homes in the 
early history of Lancaster. It was the scene 
of many social gatherings, of distinguished 
men and women, Lancaster then being the cen- 
ter of culture and refinement above its fellows. 

Since Mr. Scofield moved from the little 



804 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



home which he at first built, that structure has 
been almost continually used by his relatives 
as a law office, among whom may be mentioned 
John Trafford Brasee, Theo W. Tallmadge, 
John Scofield Brasee, John Trafford Brasee, 
Jr., and Charles D. Brasee. 

Judge Scofield was a portly man, five feet 
ten inches in height. He was of a jovial dispo- 
sition, highly educated, cultured and refined, 
and was eminently practical in all the affairs 
of life. He was courteous and obliging and 
would often carry mail himself to the houses 
of the citizens, though under no obligation to 
do so. Among his personal friends he num- 
bered Henry Clay, whom he occasionally en- 
tertained at his home. 

Judge Scofield married Drusilla Reid, a 
daughter of John Reid of Maryland. She was 
a great granddaughter of Col. Thomas Cresap, 
a member of the House of Burgesses of Vir- 
ginia, and who came of a distinguished family, 
which has produced some of the great men and 
women of this country. There were two chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Scofield — Mary 
Jane, who became the wife of John Trafford 
Brasee, and Eliza, who married James Stan- 
bery, of Newark, Ohio, son of William Stan- 
bery. United States congressman. 

Judge Scofield owned about i,ooo acres of 
land south of Lancaster. While returning 
from his farm on horseback, November 29, 
1841, he died very suddenly. His wife Dru- 
silla died just fifteen days previously, Novem- 
ber 14, 1841, at the age of fifty-five years. His 
age was sixty-nine at the time of his death. 
Both Judge and Mrs. Scofield are buried in 
Elmwood cemetery, Lancaster, Ohio. 

JOHN W. BLACK, whose farm lies two 
and a half miles east from Bremen, Ohio, and 
is valuable both for crop production and for 
its yield of oil, there being a number of wells 



on the place, was born in Rush Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, Ohio, a son of Robert 
J. and Martha Black. 

Robert J. Black, who is one of the most 
venerable residents of Rush Creek Township, 
was born in Ireland in 1822 and was brought 
to Fairfield County when fourteen years old. 
With the exception of several years passed in 
Perry County and ten years spent as clerk in a 
store, first in Rushville and afterwards in 
Circleville, the largest part of his life in Amer- 
ica has been spent in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
and he still occupies his old home in Rush 
Creek Township, carrying on his nursery of 
fruit trees which he established in the year 
1849. Three children were born to him: 
John W., Samuel W. and Mary, the last named 
being deceased. By his second wife. Miss 
Margaret M. Alexander ( from Mifflin County, 
Pennsylvania), there are five daughters: Alice, 
Margaret (Mrs. J. Frank Smith, of Violet 
township), Jennie, Elizabeth, and Edith (Mrs. 
W. T. Ulm, of Williamsport, Ohio) ; and two 
sons, Josiah and Albert. 

John W. Black went to school in boyhood as 
opportunity offered, but as early as his strength 
permitted, he began to make himself useful to 
his father and ever since has been engaged in 
farming and stock raising. He spent three 
years in Perry County as a farmer and then 
settled on his present place, on which he put 
up new buildings and made many improve- 
ments. Mr. Black married Miss Sarah A. 
Lott, who was born in Perry County and died 
in Rush Creek Township in September, 1909. 
Of their three children, Gladys L., the second 
born, survives, Irene and an infant being de- 
ceased. Mr. Black is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in 
politics and takes considerable interest in pub- 
lic matters but has never sought any public 
office. 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



805 



ELIJAH KISTLER,* one of Bloom Town- 
ship's best known and most highly respected 
citizens, was born April i8, 1839, on the farm 
in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, 
on which he lives. His parents were Samuel 
and Elizabeth (King) Kistler. 

Samuel Kistler was born in Berks County, 
Pa., and when young accompanied his father, 
Henry Kistler, to Fairfield County in 181 5, 
settling in what was then a wilderness, in 
Bloom Township. Henry Kistler died in 1841 
being then a man of some consequence, the 
owner of much land and the father of a large 
family. Samuel Kistler was about eleven 
years of age when he came to Bloom Town- 
ship and spent his subsequent life here, dying 
in 1879, in his seventy-fifth year. He was 
twice married and the surviving children of his 
first wife are: Hester A., residing in Van 
Wert County, Ohio, who is the widow of J. K. 
Cooper; Elijah; and John C, who lives at 
Clinton, Mo. Those deceased bore the follow- 
ing names : Caroline, Matilda, Aaron B., 
George, Samuel A., Oliver P. and Elizabeth. 
Samuel Kistler and wife were members of the 
Reformed church. 

Elijah Kistler attended the subscription 
schools in his boyhood and made the most of 
his opportunities and later became a school 
teacher and taught for eight years in Ohio and 
Illinois. Afterward he returned to the home- 
stead, where he owns 142 acres of valuable 
land which he devotes to general farming and 
stock raising. He has watched with interest 
the wonderful development of this section of 
Fairfield County, his memory going back to 
the days when forests covered many of the 
productive farms of Bloom Township, when 
neighbors lived far apart and when no rural 
mail carrier brought the letters and papers 
from all over the world to the door. He can 
tell also when farming methods changed and 



when much of the present useful fann machin- 
ery was introduced. 

Mr. Kistler was married first to Miss Lo- 
raina Chaney, of Bloom Township, who, at 
death, left one son, William E., who is now 
deceased. Mr. Kistler's second marriage was 
to Miss Jane Ogden, of Vermillion, 111., and 
eleven children of their family survive, three 
babies dying in infancy and Samuel Paul also 
being deceased. Those living are: Van T., 
of Bloom Township; Minnie D., wife of Ed- 
ward Benson, of Bloom Township; Alpheus 
E., of Bloom Township; Alice, wife of Frank 
George, of Lancaster; Olive A., wife of Will- 
iam Bookman, of Carroll; Florence L., wife 
of Elmer Wildermuth, of Greenfield Town- 
ship; Myrtle, wife of Rufus Chapius, of Lan- 
caster; Cora P., wife of Ferdinand Getz, of 
Lancaster; Elizabeth L., wife of Frank Hun- 
ter, of Toledo, Ohio; Efifie M., wife of Ray 
King, of Violet Township ; and Charles D., re- 
siding in Bloom Township. Mr. Kistler and 
sons are Democrats. He is a member of the 
Reformed church. 

JOHN KELLER, a prosperous farmer and 
respected citizen of Hocking Township, Fair- 
field County, Ohio, where he owns 203 acres 
of valuable land, eighty-three acres comprising 
the farm on which he has lived since 1905, was 
born in this township, September 23, 1869, 
and is a son of Felix F. and Lovina (Bender) 
Keller. The father, who was a weaver by 
trade, died August 23, 1902, and the mother 
still survives. 

The parents of Mr. Keller were bom in 
Switzerland, the father in 1823. In 1843 he 
came to America and located first in the city of 
Pittsburg, where he lived for a time and was 
first married there, his first wife being Cather- 
ine Heide and to that marriage two children 
were born : Felix, who lives in Walnut Town- 



46 



806 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ship, Fairfield County; and Albert, who lives 
at Lancaster, Ohio. After marriagCj Felix F. 
Keller and wife, in 1845, came to the northern 
part of Fairfield County and his w^ife died 
there. Later he went to Hocking Township 
and there was married to Mrs. Lovina (Ben- 
der) Lamb, a widow, who was born in 
Schwartzwald, Switzerland, and to this union 
five children were born: Elizabeth, who is the 
wife of William Barnes, of Columbus, Ohio; 
Frank, who lives at Nelsonville, Ohio; Annie, 
who is the wife of James Spires, of Columbus; 
John, who lives in Hocking Township; and 
George, who is deceased. Felix F. Keller was 
an industrious, self-respecting man and a 
worthy member of the Lutheran church. 

John Keller has spent almost all his life in 
Hocking Township, attending the district 
schools and learning practical farming with his 
father and has devoted himself to agriculture 
with much success. Like his late father he is 
a Democrat, but has never been a seeker for 
office, finding his time sufficiently taken up 
with looking after his personal business. 

Mr. Keller was married December 27, 1896, 
to Miss Margaret K. Belhorn, who was born 
in Main Leus, the county seat of Beyreuth, 
Bavaria, Germany, and who came to America 
June 12, 1889. She is a daughter of John 
Eberhart and Margaret (Weith) Belhorn. 
John E. Belhorn, who was by trade a stone 
contf-actor, was born in Reuth, Bavaria, De- 
cember 15, 1842, and died June 4, 1891. He 
was' a soldier in the German Army, serving in 
1869, 1870 and 1871. His wife was born in 
Denddorf, Bavaria, November 23, 1842, and 
died May 15, 1909. After her husband's death 
Mrs. Belhorn came to the United States with 
six children — arriving here on December 17, 
1893 — three children having come before. 
Mrs. Keller came to the United States in 1889 
and has been a resident of Fairfield County 



ever since. Mrs. Keller's brothers and sisters 
are as follows: Mrs. Catherine Pokrob, of 
New Haven, Conn. ; Mrs. Lena Kellbasse, of 
Clintonville, Conn. ; Mrs. Dora McNeil, of 
Roxabell, Ross county, Ohio; John, of Lan- 
caster; Mrs. Barbara Burns, of Lancaster; 
Laura, of Cleveland, Ohio; William, of Lan- 
caster; and George, of Lancaster. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Keller have had three 
children : George W. B., Clarence F. and 
Bernard J., the last named being now deceased. 
Mr. Keller and family are members of the 
Lutheran church. He is identified with Char- 
ity Lodge No. 7, Odd Fellows, at Lancaster, 
Ohio. 

OWEN SMITH,* who is a very prominent 
man in the live-stock business in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, and is the only regular buyer 
and shipper of stock from Rushville, his deal- 
ings aggregating a large amount annually, is 
also the owner of many acres of valuable land 
in this county. He was born December 28, 
1856, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of 
Benjamin and Mary A. (Snider) Smith. 

Benjamin Smith was born in Virginia but 
spent the larger part of his life in Ohio. By 
trade he was a plasterer and that was his busi- 
ness throughout his active life. His death oc- 
curred in Fairfield County at the age of eighty- 
four years. He married a sister of John S. 
Snider, a prominent resident of Lancaster, 
Ohio, and they had six children born to them : 
Elizabeth, Henrietta, Susan, Henry C, B. F. 
and Owen. 

Owen Smith attended school in both Perry 
and Fairfield Counties and afterward engaged 
in farming in Richland township. Some thirty 
years have passed since he started into the 
stock business, which he has developed into a 
very large industry in this section. He also 
oversees the operation of his five farms, these 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



807 



containing respectively, 173, 142, 164, 100, 64 
and 14 acres, the last named tract adjoining 
Rushville. His many interests make him a 
very busy man, but he finds time, nevertheless, 
for his political, social and church duties. 

Mr. Smith was married in Perry County to 
Miss Sarah Foster and they have five children ; 
Harvey, a farmer, who married Kate Keller; 
Mary, who is the wife of William Culberson; 
Henry C, who married Ada Baker; and Dollie 
and Blanche, both of whom live with their 
parents. Mr. Smith gives his political support 
•to the Republican party. He is a member of 
the Christian Union church. 

■ MICHAEL BURTON, chairman of the 
board of trustees of Hocking township, has 
"been a resident of this section for many years 
and belongs to a family that originally came 
'to Ohio from Maryland. He was born in 
■Hancock county, Ohio, November 7, 1837, a 
•'son of Van and Lydia (Rice) Burton. 
- Van Burton, the father of our subject, was 
born in ' Pleasant township, Fairfield county, 
Ohio, and was a son of Jacob and Mary 
(Sweargen) Burton, the former of whom was 
later known as Judge Burton, he having served 
as associate judge of the county. He was an 
early settler in Pleasant township but moved 
from there to Hocking township, where he 
died during the childhood of Michael Burton, 
his grandson.. Van Burton followed an agri- 
cultutal life in Hancock county for some years 
■after his marriage, but afterward located on 
the present home farm in Hocking township, 
where he died about 1898. He married Lydia 
Rice, who was born in Greenfield township, 
Fairfield county, Ohio, and was the daughter 
of Michael aiid Rachel Rice, her father serv- 
ing in tht Revolutionary War and also in the 
War of 1812. Of their children the following 
are now living: Isaac, Michael, Shipman, 



Hannah, Van, and Mary, all of whom, except 
Van, are residents of Hocking township. 
Those deceased are Jacob, Rachel, Lydia and 
George. 

Shipman, who was born in Hancock county, 
married Ellen Simon and they have had three 
children — Harry, Oscar, who married Bertha 
AVilliamson, and Ethel. Van married Laura 
Montague and has six children — George, 
Pearl, Charles, Flossie, Mark and Mabel, of 
whom George married Miss Bertha Busin and 
has one son, Paul; Flossie married Bert Cruit 
and has a son, Clarence; and Mabel is de- 
ceased. Rachel (deceased) married Elijah 
Milligan and had one daughter, Bessie. Lydia 
(deceased) married Daniel Sifford and had 
six children — John (deceased), who married 
Sarah Lamott; Mary, Daniel, Effie, Thomas 
and William. Of the above mentioned, Isaac, 
Michael, Rachel and Shipman were bom in 
Hancock county; all the others were born on 
the present homestead farm. 

Michael Burton was seven years of -age 
when he came to reside on the property on 
which he has passed the subsequent years of 
-his life and where he has been occupied in 
fanning and stock raising. In politics, like his 
father and grandfather, he has always been 
identified with the Democratic party. He has 
frequently been called upon to serve in^ public 
office and f6r si.x years was a director of the 
Fairfield County Infirmary, a jiart of the time 
being president of the board. Formerly he 
was active in the Odd Fellows' lodge' at Lan- 
caster. He is recognized in his township as a 
reliable and useful citizen.' 

GEORGE A. STAKER,* who is one of 
the representative citizens and enterprising 
business men of Bremen, Ohio, has been iden- 
tified with merchancHsing throughout his entire 
business career. He conducts a fine store on 



808 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Mulberry street, carrying carpets, curtains, 
matting and house furnishings, jewelry and 
furniture, trunks, suit cases and queensware, 
and also does undertaking. He was born July 
30, 1 86 1, near Mt. Pleasant, Hocking County, 
Ohio, a son of George and Mary (Poling) 
Staker. 

George Staker, the father, was born in Bre- 
men, Germany, and came to America in early 
manhood, settling in Hocking County, Ohio, 
where he engaged in farming until his death, 
in 1863. He married Mary Poling, a lifelong 
resident of Hocking County, who died in 1887. 
Eleven children were born to this marriage, 
five of whom survive. 

George A. Staker was the youngest of the 
above family and was but eighteen months old 
at the time of his father's death and was five 
years old when brought to Bremen. There he 
went to school and in 1879 started his business 
career as a clerk at four dollars a month, in 
the store of Frank Speace. He spent three 
years in the drug and .jewelry business at Mc- 
Comb, Ohio, and spent four years as a jeweler 
at Roseville. In 1885 he returned to Bremen 
and in partnership with Reuben Welty em- 
barked in a furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness under the firm name of Staker & Welty. 
The latter subsequently sold his interest to Mr. 
Rhinehart and the firm name became Staker & 
Co., which continued after Rhinehart sold his 
interest to Paul Pfaff. On February 11, 1903, 
the stock was destroyed by fire. In 1887 Mr. 
Staker had entered into a business partner- 
ship with J. J. Elder, under the firm name of 
Elder & Staker, in the same line as at present, 
and in 1888 he embarked in the jewelry busi- 
ness as an individual venture. He now has all 
these interests in his own name and does a 
large amount of business. He has an up-to- 
date establishment and has his own electric 
light plant. He is a stockholder in the First 



National Bank of Bremen, of which he was a 
charter member. In politics he calls himself 
an independent Republican but no matter what 
his political attitude may be he possesses the 
confidence of his fellow citizens who have fre- 
quently elected him to office. He has been 
treasurer of the Bremen Special District and 
a member of the school board since 1895, and 
formerly served two terms as township treas- 
urer. 

On September 10, 1885, Mr. Staker was 
married to Miss Jennie E. Sterner, who was 
born in Fairfield county, a daughter of Eman- 
uel Sterner of Bremen, and three children have 
been born to them: Mabel Kate, who is the 
wife of Murray Anderson, a civil engineer re- 
siding in Ross County, Ohio; Louise Fern, 
who is the wife of Ralph Griffin, bookkeeper 
for a business house at Bremen; and Frances 
Willard, who is a student in the Bremen High 
School. The family home is on Marietta 
street. Mr. Staker is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias at Lancaster; Knights of Macca- 
bees, at Bremen, and is a trustee of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Mr. Staker is the only 
undertaker in this place, and averages about 
fifty-five funerals yearly. He has every mod- 
ern equipment for this branch of his business, 
including funeral cars and all paraphernalia 
for dignified funeral directing. 

THE GRAFFIS FAMILY. The origin 
of the Graffis family is not known but it is 
definitely certain that they were one time 
citizens of France, though it is not thought 
that they were French people. They left 
France on account of religious persecution 
and settled in Germany. 

Their history in America dates back to 
that of Nicholas Graffis, who took the 
money that was intended to buy his ex- 
emption from service in the German Army 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



809 



and came to America previous to the Revo- 
lutionary War. He served two years in the 
American Army, being a sharpshooter un- 
der the command of Gen. Daniel Morgan. 
Nicholas Graffis and a brother who after- 
wards came to America, settled in Hunting- 
don County, Pa., from whom originate all 
the people of the name in America and 
helped to make the settlement, the descend- 
ants of whom are known in this vicinity as 
Pennsylvania Dutch. 

Abraham Graffis, Sr., a pioneer of Rush 
Creek Township, was a son of Nicholas 
Graffis, and took French leave from his 
home in Pennsylvania, coming down the 
Ohio river in a flat boat to Maysville, Ky., 
from whence he made his way on foot to 
Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1804. He 
worked for the settlers, helping them clear 
their land and it is said he could make his 
300 rails a day with no tools but an ax and 
"nigger" maul. 

He returned to Pennsylvania, married 
Fanny Gray, April 27, 1809, and again emi- 
grated to Ohio, arriving, probably, early in 
181 1 and settled on the land now owned by 
Frank P. Kittle. He was unable to make 
complete payment for this land and sold his 
improvements for enough to enter and pay 
for another quarter section, which he did in 
1812, obtaining the southeastern quarter in 
Section 11, Rush Creek township and just 
south of his first entry, all surrounding quar- 
ters having by this time been pre-empted. 
He afterwards rented his land and returned 
to Pennsylvania and in 1822 a third time 
turned his face toward Ohio, coming and 
bringing his family in an emigrant wagon. 
Original parts of this wagon with its tar 
hub wheels are still a relic on the farm. 

Abraham Graffis. Sr.. was a large man. 
standing over six feet in height. It is said 



that he could stand on the rim of a half 
bushel measure and shoulder a three-bushel 
sack of wheat or lift the same amount with 
his teeth. He was a successful man finan- 
cially, having given each of his six living chil- 
dren a farm, all of which was in Hocking 
County, except the homestead. He died in 
1864 and was eighty years of age, his wife 
having previously died in 1856. 

Of his ten children four, Rebecca, Eliza- 
beth, John and Josiah, died in youth and 
infancy. Margaret married John Poling. 
Their children are Abraham (deceased), 
William Alexander, Levi, Adam, Elizabeth 
Redd, Sarah Mohler, deceased, Frances 
Bone, Caroline Lecrone, deceased, and Mir- 
iam Delong. Mary married Joshua Standi- 
ford. Their children are: Joan (deceased), 
Elisha (who died in the Civil War), Abram, 
Vincent, Isaac, Fannie Martin and Sarah M. 
Jacobs. Rachel married Adam Look. Their 
children are: John C, Luther, Dalton Z., 
Halleck H., Rebecca Bunnell, Hattie Flat- 
tery and Louiza Geiger, deceased. Julianne 
married Jacob Angle. Their children are 
James, deceased, Tillman, Ira, Mary E. 
Tom, Fannie Mowry, Julia A. Mowry, and 
Apolonia Westenhaver. Miriam married 
Abram Blosser. Their living children are 
Martha Miller and Frances Thayer. 

Abram Graffis Jr., popularly and well 
known in Rush Creek Township and vicin- 
ity, resided on the homestead and adjoining 
farm from the time of his birth, Aug. 7, 1825, 
until his death Mar. 7, 1907. He was well 
known as a leading musician of his time, be- 
ing especially noted as a fifer, violinist and 
a teacher of vocal music. He held official 
positions in the township and was known as 
a prominent bee keeper in the county. He 
was married to Anna Welty in 1848. The 
children born to this family are: Alonzo, 



810 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



John A., Clara Emma (Grove), Sarah E. 
Voris, Mary F. McVeigh, Ira, Cyrus and 
Clement. Abram Grafifis, Jr., was bereft of 
his wife in 1874 and was again married to 
Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart who also died in 
1891. 

The Graffis estate, now containing 340 
acres, still remains undivided in possession 
of the family. Clement, the youngest son of 
Abram Grafifis, Jr., has resided on the estate 
with the exception of a few years since his 
birth in 1865. He is well known in the town- 
ship, having performed official duty therein 
for a number of years. 

He has in his possession scraps of letters 
and papers of the family, dating back to 
1808. One letter dated, Huntingdon, Pa., 
April I, 1832, is written upon one side of 
a sheet of paper which is folded with the 
writing within and sealed with a wafer of 
wax no envelope being used. The address 
to Abraham Graffis, Rushville, Ohio, is writ- 
ten upon the back. The postage upon this 
letter appears to have been 37^ cents. This 
was before the days of the Bremen post- 
office. 

There is, also a gun nearly 5^ feet in 
length that is thougHt to have been used by 
Nicholas Graffis in the Indian Wars of 
Pennsylvania. A sale bill shows the pur- 
chase of this gun by Abraham Graffis, Sr., 
at the sale of his father's estate in Pennsyl- 
vania in 1822. There is, also, the first and 
only deed written upon parchment to the 
homestead farm. It is signed by Jas. Madi- 
son, President, and Edward Tiffin, Land 
Commissioner. 

An incomplete list of the first settlers of 
this neighborhood, east central Rush Creek 
Township, is given as follows : The Youngs, 
Moyers, Wilsons, Rays, Ashbaughs, Hus- 



tons, Fasts, Stemens, Blossers, Karfmans, 
Starrits, and Clemons. 

Abraham Graffis, Sr., had a brother, Jacob, 
who was among the very earliest settlers. 
He left descendants, a few only of whom are 
located in this vicinity, among them being 
David and Benjamin Poling and James H. 
Graffis. 

G. H. DURBIN,* general superintend- 
ent of the Fairfield Paper Company, is an 
experienced man in this industry, having 
been connected with paper making since 
boyhood. He was born in 1877, at Indiana- 
polis, Ind., and is a son of D. S. and Mary 
(Harkness) Durbin, an only child. D. S. 
Durbin was steward for the Indiana State 
Prison, at Michigan City, Indiana, for sev- 
enteen years. 

G. H. Durbin attended school at Indiana- 
polis and Michigan City, after which he 
entered the employ of the Sefton Manufac- 
turing Company at Anderson, Ind., and later 
was with the American Strawboard Com- 
pany and the Diamond News Mill. He 
afterward returned to the mills of the Sefton 
Company and February 7, 191 1, came to the 
Fairfield Paper Company at Baltimore, O., 
as general superintendent. Mr. Durbin 
served for two years in the army and took 
part in the Spanish-American War, and was 
a member of Co. L, i6oth Ind. Vol., and of 
Co. I, 45th U. S. A. 

Mr. Durbin married Miss Alice Baker, of 
Anderson, Ind., and they have two children : 
Virginia and Mariana. They are members 
of the Episcopal church. Politically he is 
a Republican. 

DAVID CRITES, general farmer, 
thresher and lumberman, is one of the busy 



> 

o 



y- 







AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



813 



and prosperous men of Clear Creek Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., where he culti- 
vates his farm of eighty acres and also oper- 
ates a saw-mill on the place and for many 
years has engaged every season in thresh- 
ing. He was born in Clear Creek Township, 
December 2, 1844, and is a son of Amos and 
Priscilla (Altenderfer) Crites. 

Amos Crites was born in Pickaway 
Connty, O., and his wife in Pennsylvania. 
In his early years Amos Crites was a weaver 
but later followed farming. Both he and his 
wife are now deceased, their burial being in 
Dutch Hollow. They were parents of the 
following children : Mary, deceased, who 
was the wife of Benjamin Baldoser, also 
now deceased; Malinda, deceased, who was 
the wife of David Doner, also deceased; 
David; and Sarah, who is the wife of Joseph 
Stout, residing at Circleville, O. 

David Crites went to school in boyhood, 
although he had few educational oppor- 
tunities compared to those given children of 
the present day. As soon as he was old 
enough he took part in the work of the farm 
and also became a thresher, later having an 
outfit of his own and making a business of 
this branch of agriculture. He is widely 
known, his numerous industries bringing 
him into contact with other men of afifairs 
and he is numbered with the reliable and 
representative citizens of Fairfield County. 
He is an active Democrat and has servel as 
supervisor of Clear Creek Township. 

In 1870 Mr. Crites was married to Miss 
Mary Myers, a daughter of Thomas and 
Susan (Warner) Myers, old residents of 
Amanda Township, where their lives were 
passed. Mrs. Crites' brothers and sisters 
were as follows : Ephraim, who is deceased ; 
Lydia, deceased, who was the wife of Eli 
Barr; Susan; Catherine, deceased, who was 



the wife of Thomas Stout; and Amanda and 
Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Crites have had four 
children : Harley A., who married Melzina 
Stebleton, and has two children — Mildred 
and Frank; Elmer A., who was accidentally 
killed, November 11, 1910; Carrie Florence, 
who is the wife of Edward Smith, and has 
four children — Boyd, Ray, Merl and Mary ; 
and Mary Salina, who is the wife of Denver 
Griffiths, and has two children — Marceline 
and Leland. Mr. Crites and family attend 
the Lutheran church. He belongs to the 
Odd Fellows, attending the subordinate 
lodge at Amanda and the Encampment at 
Circleville, O. 

WILLIAM S. WARNER,* a farmer of 
Clear Creek township, who operates 132 
acres which he rents from his father to- 
gether with six acres which he owns adjoin- 
ing this tract, was born in this township, 
November 16, 1873. He is a son of Richard 
and Elizabeth (Shalenbarger) Warner, the 
former of whom lives retired at Amanda, 
Ohio; the mother died in the spring of 1891. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warner were the 
parents of the following children: Altona, 
the wife of a Mr. Bostwick, who lives at 
Dayton, Ohio; Lilly Catherine, the wife of 
Harry Gofif, who lives at Cleveland, Ohio; 
William S., the subject of this article; and 
Salome, the wife of Edward Thomas. Rich- 
ard Warner was married, secondly, to Char- 
lotte Wiley. 

William S. Warner received his education 
in the common schools and since then has 
made farming his life work. He has always 
worked on the same tract of land, until two 
years ago having assisted his father. He 
now rents the farm but is in partnership 
with his father. 

On December 24, 1899, William S. War- 



814 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



ner married Maggie Walker, a daughter of 
Charles and Mary Jane (Conrad) Walker, 
both of whom are natives of this township 
but now live in Madison township. They 
were the parents of the following children: 
Myrtle, who married Harold Reimer; Mag- 
gie (Mrs. Warner); Ida, the wife of Kirby 
Christy; Florence, the wife of Clay Wilson; 
Nellie, the wife of Mont. Donnelly; and 
Arthur, Ola and Anna. 

To Mr. and Mrs. William S. Warner there 
have been born children as follows : Lucile, 
Harry R., Florence, Paul Vincent and Fred 
Edmund. 

Mr. and Mrs. Warner attend the Presby- 
terian Church. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat as is his father. 

JOSEPH S. HOLLIDAY, who success- 
fully carries on general farming and stock 
raising in Richland township, Fairfield County, 
Ohio, owns one of the finest farms of this sec- 
tion, 158 acres lying ten miles northeast of 
Lancaster and within two and one-half miles 
of West Rushville. The family is an old one 
in Fairfield County, his parents, John and 
Magdalene Holliday, both having been born 
here, the grandparents having been pioneers. 

To John and Magdalene Holliday nine chil- 
dren were born: Jacob, Zebulon K., William 
C, Mary M., Rebecca E., Emily H., Arminda, 
Joseph and John P. Of these, Jacob married 
Julia Courtright. Z. K., who is a minister in 
the Old School Baptist church at Thurston, 
Ohio, married (first) Laura J. Peters, and 
after her death, Sadie Painter. Mary married 
Thomas Strong and during life they lived near 
Bremen. Rebecca, who is now deceased, was 
the wife of Thompson Rowles. William C.^ 
who married Jane Strong, lives near Bremen. 
Arminda died in infancy. Emily married 
Warren Bright and they live in Walnut town- 



ship, Fairfield County. John P. married La- 
vina Stith and they reside near Thurston, 
Ohio. 

Joseph S. Holliday was reared on the home- 
stead and obtained his education in the district 
schools. He has devoted his life to agricult- 
ural pursuits and his well cultivated fields and 
excellent stock proclaim that he has been very 
successful in his efiforts. He married Miss 
Elizabeth Friend and four children were born 
to them as follows : William Lester, who mar- 
ried Hattie Hartzel, has one daughter, Clara, 
and they reside at Lancaster. Charles E. mar- 
ried Sadie A. Thomas and four children were 
bom to them — Lawrence L., Lester H., Gladys 
M., Edna B. — and they reside near Thurston, 
Ohio, where he owns a farm. Earl Ray, who 
remains with his father on the home farm, 
married (first) Louie Larue, and one child 
was bom to them, Mary Anabel, who is now 
deceased. After his first wife's death he mar- 
ried secondly lena Perry by whom he has one 
son, Marven L. Emma Lou is the wife of 
Earl Griggs, residing east of Rushville, and 
they have two children, Ralph W. and 
Harold L. Mrs. Holliday's parents were 
William and Sarah Friend and she has two 
brothers and three sisters — Orrin, Banner, 
Jennie, Delia and Martha. Mr. Holiday and 
family belong to the old-school Baptist 
church. 

GEORGE W. GIESY, a successful farmer 
and stock raiser of Liberty Township, is a 
representative of one of the first families that 
ventured into what was at that time the wil- 
derness of Fairfield County — vast tracts of 
uncleared land and miles and miles of forest. 
It was from Switzerland that the first of the 
Giesy family came to Ohio and made one of 
the first settlements, their earliest neighbors 
being Indians. George W. Giesy was born in 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



815 



Liberty Township, July 15, 1849, and is a son 
of Jacob and Mary (Foltz) Giesy. 

Jacob Giesy was born also in Liberty Town- 
ship, in 1813, and lived to the age of 97 years. 
He was one of the prominent men of the 
county, possessing public spirit, pioneer re- 
sourcefulness and an excellence of judgment 
that was often exercised in behalf of his 
neighbors. He became one of the most suc- 
cessful agriculturists of this section and at one 
time owned and operated 420 acres of land. 
To his marriage with Mary Foltz eleven chil- 
dren were born and of these there are three 
survivors, namely: Elizabeth, widow of 
Henry Shaffner, who resides at Basil; Mrs. 
Sarah A. Yeager, wife of John Yeager, also 
of Basil; and George W. 

George W. Giesy obtained his education in 
the schools of Fairfield County and since then 
has been engaged in agricultural activities on 
his present farm. He has taken much inter- 
est in not only improving his property, erect- 
ing modern and substantial buildings of all 
kinds in which he has introduced the latest 
improvements, but has also adopted the best 
known methods of land cultivation and has 
eliminated all but the most desirable of his 
stock. His farm of no acres was purchased 
from the government in 1812 by his grand- 
father, Jacob Giesy, and the farm of 80 acres 
was purchased from the government (being 
school land) in 1854 by his father Jacob 
Giesy. Both farms have always been in pos- 
session of the Giesy family. 

Mr. Giesy married Miss Mary Sriner, a 
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sriner, and 
ten children have been born to them, namely: 
Eugenia G., who resides at home; Hector E., 
who married Cora Swarner and has three 
children — Edith, Everett and Eveline; Nellie 
E., who married William Friedly and has 
three children — Viva, Deward and Forest; 



Lulu M., who died when aged twenty-three 
years; Stella M., who is the wife of A. 
Roshon and has three children — Merle, Owen 
and Gloyd; \\'innie, who married Edward 
Blauser and has five children — Muriel, Ar- 
land, Roland, Audene and Fayne; Pearl, who 
lives at home; Ray, who married Erma Van 
Arsdalen and has two children — Pearl and 
Verrene; and Dottie and Hazel, both of whom 
live at Iiome. Mr. Giesy and family belong to 
the Reformed church. Politically he is a 
Democrat and is serving as a member of the 
township school board. 

DAVID ADAMS, a well known and 
highly respected resident of Amanda Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, O., was born near 
Ringgold, in Walnut Township, Pickaway 
County, O., and is a son of David and 
Susanna (Adams) Adams. 

On the paternal side, Grandfather Jacob 
Adams, was a son of Henry Adams and the 
paternal ancestry can be traced generations 
back to Germany. It is probable that the first 
of the family to settle in Berks County, Pa., 
came from the Tyrol Mountains. The ma- 
ternal ancestors came also from Germany but, 
as far as known, no relationship existed with 
the otlier Adams family. The maternal 
grandfatlier, George Adams, was a son of 
Peter Adams, whose wife was of Holland 
descent. Some member of the family has the 
old family Bible that was brought from Ger- 
many. George Adams was married to Eliza- 
beth Gruber and they had twelve children, the 
names of eight of these being preserved, as 
(follows : Susanna, who was born Sunday, 
September 19, 1830, and died on Sunday, 
December 2/, 1908, and was buried in the 
Amanda Township Cemetery; William, who 
died at Dallas, Tex. ; George, deceased, who 
was a soldier in the Civil War; Amos, who 



816 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



lives in Hillsdale County, Mich.; Henry, who 
lives in Berks County, Pa.; Peter, who lives 
at Kutstown, Pa.; Elias and Mrs. Dietrich. 

Of the children of Jacob Adams all re- 
mained in Berks County except his son David, 
who, in 1861 moved to Pickaway County, O. 
His father and grandfather had both been 
carpenters and he followed the same trade 
and erected many buildings in his section, the 
last one being a barn on the Griffith farm. He 
was born September 13, 1S23, and died May 
25, 189 1, a victim of pneumonia, as was also 
his wife, and their burial was in Amanda 
Cemetery. Ten children were born to David 
and Susanna Adams, namely : ( i ) Catherine 
is the wife of Jeremiah Kern and resides in 
Amanda township. She has eight children — 
five sons and three daughters, of whom 
Charles H., the eldest, is a successful minister 
of the Gospel (of the Evangelical church), 
Chester, the youngest, is a successful school 
teacher, while the other sons — Arthur F., John 
W. and Kirby — are honest, industrious men. 
The eldest daughter, Cora is the wife of 
Walter Tilden Baer, of Columbus, O. ; Stella 
is the wife of Ira Yoimg, of Royalton, while 
Marie, the youngest daughter, is at home. (2) 
Amanda is the wife of David Reed, of Van 
Wert County, O. ; has three children — Flor- 
ence Estella, May and Robert. The eldest, 
Florence Estella, a very intelligent lady, is the 
wife of Ellis Henry Doty; both are successful 
teachers of a high school ; they reside on their 
ranch of 160 acres near Florence, Arizona. 
The second daughter. May, is the wife of 
Richard Wyatt, a substantial farmer; they re- 
side in Paulding County, Ohio. Robert E. 
resides on the well cultivated home farm of 
80 acres, four miles from Grover Hill in Van 
Wert County, Ohio, while their parents live 
in town. 

(3) Louisa, the next child of David and 



Susannah Adams, is the wife of Sylvester 
Waits of Walnut Township, Pickaway 
County. They have four children. The eld- 
est, Grace, is the wife of Pearl Marshal. Etta 
the second, is the wife of Peter Huffman; 
both are successful farmers. The sons. Hen- 
ton M. and Emanuel, are industrious young 
men. 

(4) Henry, the fourth child of David and 
Susanna Adams, was born December 11, 
1857- (5) Jeremiah, the next, who lives in 
Rice County, Kan., married Mary Keschner, 
of Fairfield County, O., a daughter of Joseph 
Keschner, and they have four children. (6) 
Susanna died in Pickaway County when 
twelve years old. 

(7) David, the seventh child, of David and 
Susanna Adams, was born March 20, 1863. 
At the age of ten years he, like his other 
brothers ( save the two youngest ) , was appren- 
ticed to a farmer until the age of eighteen for 
his board and clothes; was never in a city un- 
til after ten years of age, nor scarcely saw five 
dollars of his own before he was eighteen. 

(8) George, David and Susanna's next 
child, lives at Estes Park, Colo., as does also 
the next younger brother, (9) John. (10) 
William the youngest, who was born February 
15, 1871, is a resident of Partridge, Reno 
County, Kas. He married Lina Barton, of 
Kansas, and they have two sons. The four 
sons have more than 700 acres of land in the 
West. The father of the above mentioned 
family was a member of the Lutheran church. 
He was a Democrat in his political views and 
in early manhood was identified with the Odd 
Fellows. 

David Adams, our direct subject, was edu- 
cated in the public schools, at East Ringgold, 
and Nebraska, Pickaway county, and the 
Ridge, Fairfield county; at Pleasantville 
Academy, then the Ohio Central Normal 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



817 



College, also at the Ohio Northern University, 
at Ada, Ohio, where, as a cadet, he was a 
member of Co. A. While at college he gave 
some attention to literary studies, being a 
member of the Philo literary society of the 
college, and was considered one of the ablest 
debaters at the University, being often called 
"The Young Man Eloquent." He also gave 
some attention to the law and since then has 
occasionally appeared in cases before a justice 
of the peace and has served in the Common 
Pleas Court as a juror. A Democrat in 
politics, he has represented Royalton Precinct 
for five years on the County Committee. 
There are few better informed men in the 
county than Mr. Adams, and while directing 
his reading more particularly, in recent years, 
along religious lines and to those subjects cal- 
culated to be beneficial to his fellow men, he 
is broad-minded enough to appreciate and en- 
joy any superior literary work. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian church and is often 
called on to fill the pulpit and to lecture. He 
has recently purchased a law library for home 
study; also other works on Government and 
higher literature. With his brother, Henry 
Adams, he resides on a well cultivated tract of 
22 acres, and both brothers work more or less 
as carpenters. Neither have married. 

ALEXANDER BROWN KIEFABER, a 
well known attorney of Lancaster, O., who is 
also president of Board of Sinking Fund 
Trustees of that city, was born in Oakland, 
Fairfield County, in 1857. His education, 
begun in the common schools, was subse- 
quently advanced at the National Normal 
University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he took 
the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bach- 
elor of Arts. He read law- under John G. 
Reeves of Lancaster, Ohio, and was admitted 
to practice in the Ohio State courts on October 



8th, 1 89 1, and in the Federal courts on De- 
cember 5th, 1898, since which time he has 
made rapid progress in his profession and is 
now widely known and held in high esteem 
as a lawyer. He served as justice of the peace 
in Clear Creek and Amanda Townships for 
eleven years, was postmaster at Oakland 
seven years, county school examiner six years, 
and probate judge six years, in all of which 
positions he proved himself a competent man 
of affairs. He is recognized by all as one of 
the progressive and representative citizens of 
the county. 

JACOB HARTRANFT, whose two farms 
— one of T,7i acres and the other of 1 13 acres — 
both lie in Clear Creek township, Fairfield 
County, O., is a native of Pickaway County, 
O., but has lived in Fairfield county since he 
was five years old. He was born in March, 
1834, and is a son of William and Rebecca 
(Wannamaker) Hartranft. 

William Hartranft was born in the state of 
New York and comes of Gennan ancestry. 
He followed farming after coming to Ohio, 
first in Pickaway and later in Fairfield county, 
where both he and his wife died. They were 
members of the Reformed church. They had 
ten children, namely: Rebecca, now deceased, 
who was the wife of Reuben Fusselman; 
Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Hugh 
Fellers; Sally and Eliza (twins,) both now 
deceased, the former of whom was the wife 
of George Mowery and the latter of Henry 
Brown; Jacob, John, William, David, de- 
ceased; Hettie, who married George Stebel- 
ton ; and Samuel. 

Jacob Hartranft attended the district 
schools as he had opportunity in his boyhood. 
He has always lived on a farm and has de- 
voted his time to farming in all its branches 
since attaining manhood. He has been active 



818 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



also as a citizen, looking out for the best in- 
terests of the community and serving on the 
school board and in other offices. He was 
elected a trustee of Clear Creek township on 
the Democratic ticket and attended carefully 
and honestly to his duties as such during the 
three years of his service. 

Mr. Hartranft was first married in May, 
1855, to Miss Catherine Leist, and they had 
two children — William Allen, now deceased, 
and Sarah Ellen, who is the wife of N. F. 
Shupe. He married secondly, Mrs. Nancy A. 
( Kiger) Breisner. His third marriage was 
to Miss Martha Noble, a daughter of James 
M. and Susanna (Chamberlain) Noble. The 
family is well known and respected all 
through Clear Creek township. 

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Hart- 
ranft — Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain — came 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio, the grandfather 
being of English parentage and belonging to 
the Quaker church. He followed the black- 
smith's trade. 

James M. Noble was born Sept. 13, 1814, 
in Lancaster county, Pa. He came to Perry 
county, Ohio, when he was 19 years of age. 
His trade was that of plasterer. He also 
taught vocal music for some years, having an 
excellent ear. He was known as one of the 
best teachers in the county and he was a great 
lover of this refined art. In his latter years 
he followed farming. He departed this life 
Oct. 6, 1 88 1, at the age of 67 years and 23 
days. 

Susanna Chamberlain was born March 16, 
1824, in Chester county, Pa. She removed 
to Perry county, Ohio, with her parents when 
she was seven years of age. She was a good 
and useful woman. She had a fine intellect 
and was a good scholar. She died Oct. 27, 
1893, having attained the age of 69 years, 7 



months and 1 1 days. They were married 
2\larch 26, 1840. 

They had eleven children, as follows : 
Margaret Ann Noble was born Feb. 17, in 
Richmond, Indiana. She died April 7, 1841, 
aged one month and 20 days. William Noble 
was born Sept. 28, 1842, in Perry county, 
Ohio, and moved to Fairfield county when he 
was seven years of age. He was principal of 
the South School in Lancaster when he died. 
He was married to Louisa Bing Nicely, and 
they had seven children. He did more in the 
few short years that the Lord granted him on 
earth than some would have done in 80 years. 
He departed this life Oct. 4, 1880, at the age 
of 38 years and six days. Sarah Elizabeth 
Noble was born Feb. 19, 1845, in Richmond, 
Indiana. Soon after, or in April, 1845, the 
family returned to Ohio taking up their 
residence in Perry county, and when Sarah 
E. was four years old they came to Fairfield 
county. She reside? at home with her brother. 
Mary Caroline Noble was born Sept. 26, 1847 
in Perry county, Ohio. She departed this life 
Sept. 8, 1849, aged one year 11 months and 
18 days. George Washington Noble was born 
Feb. 23, 1850 in Fairfield county, Ohio and 
died March 21, 1850, aged 28 days. Susanna 
J. Noble was born July 28, 1851. Says her 
sister, Sarah E., "She was the flower of our 
family — one of the greatest singers I ever 
heard." She was married to Julius Yost on 
June 22, 1869 and they had two children. She 
departed this life Feb. 21, 1874, aged 22 
years, 6 months and 23 days. Martha Noble 
was born Feb. 20, 1854 in Fairfield county, 
Ohio. She was married to Jacob Hartranft 
June I, 1902. Ida Noble was born March 23, 
1897 '" Fairfield county, Ohio. She was mar- 
ried to Charles W. Berehens, Oct. 16, 1879. 
They have two children. James M. Noble 



AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 



819 



was born January 27, i860 in Fairfield county, 
Ohio. He married Mary R. Baumgardner, 
June 19, 1902 and they have one child. 
Charles Noble was born Oct. 3, 1862. He is 
unmarried and lives on the homestead in 
Amanda township. May Belle Noble was 
born May 13, 1865 in Fairfield County, Ohio. 
She died June i, 1865, aged 18 days. 

ARCHIBALD BOAL, who devotes his ex- 
cellent farm of 100 acres, which is situated in 
Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., to 
general farming, has lived here for many 
years, in fact almost ever since his honorable 
service in the Civil War was over. He was 
born in Morgan County, O., November 19, 
1834, on his father's farm in Deerfield Town- 
ship, and is a son of James and Jane (Mc- 
Carthy) Boal. 

James Boal was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, and was in his sixth year when he was 
brought to America by his parents, who 
settled first in Pennsylvania and came from 
there to Zanesville, O., reaching the place 
when but two houses represented the present 
busy city. It was in 1802 that they settled in 
Muskingum County, where James Boal grew 
to manhood and assisted his father, Archibald 
Boal, in clearing up the pioneer farm. He 
was married to Jane McCarthy, who was born 
in Loudoun County, Va., and they shortly af- 
terward moved to Morgan County, where he 
died in the winter of 1866. 

Archibald Boal. who bears his grand- 
father's name, grew up in Morgan County 
and went to school during the winter seasons 
and learned practical farming in the sum- 
mers. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service 
in the Civil War, entering Co. I. i6ist O. Vol. 
Inf., and was mustered in at Camp Chase, in 
answer to the call for 100-day men. His real 
service covered more than that and he was 



honorably discharged and mustered out at 
Camp Chase in October, 1864. During a 
large part of this time he was with the 6th 
Army Corps which was commanded by the 
brave General Siegel, who met a soldier's 
death. Mr. Boal took part in the campaign 
in the Shenandoah Valley and the battle of 
Mar>'land Heights. 

In March, 1856, Mr. Boal was married to 
Miss Martha A. Strong, who was bom in 
Morgan County, O., a meml:)er of a well 
known family, and they have had four chil- 
dren : Jane E., who is the wife of R. L. Ren- 
shaw, of Berne Township; Cora, who is the 
wife of John Harbough, of Pleasant Town- 
ship; and two who are deceased. Mr. Boal 
settled on his present farm in 1868 and has 
lived here ever since. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at West Rush- 
ville, and formerly served as one of the church 
trustees. He belongs to Philo Lodge No. 392, 
Odd Fellows at West Rushville. 

FRANK M. KRANER,* deceased, who 
was a prominent citizen of Pickerington, O., 
and ex-sheriff of Fairfield County, for many 
years was engaged in the buying and shipping 
of cattle and was favorably known to stock 
men all over the country. He was born in 
Violet Township, Fairfield County, O., April 
3, 1862, and was a son of William H. and 
Sophia (Crider) Kraner. 

William H. Kraner, who is one of the sub- 
stantial retired fanners of Pickerington, was 
born in Violet Township, a son of Michael 
Kraner, who came to Ohio from Maryland 
prior to August 6, 1832, the date of his son's 
birth. William H. Kraner resided in Violet 
Township for many years and served as town- 
ship treasurer, being elected to numerous local 
offices on the Democratic ticket. He married 
Sophia Crider, who was bom in Walnut 



820 



HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY 



Township, Fairfield County, and the follow- 
ing of their family of children are living: 
Lewis M., of Cloverdale, Ore. ; Jacob C, of 
Violet Township; Etta, wife of Samuel Kull, 
of Lancaster, O. ; Pearl A., of Violet Town- 
ship; Laura, wife of J. A. Reiner, of Picker- 
ington; and John H., of Violet Township. 

Frank M. Kraner was reared and educated 
in Violet Township. His business was mainly 
along the lines above indicated, the handling 
of cattle and stock. From early manhood he 
was interested in politics and for a number of 
years was a leader in local Democratic circles, 
serving as a member of the township Demo- 
cratic committee, for one year being secretary 
and one year president of the Fairfield County 
Democratic Committee. He sen'ed as personal 
property assessor and as land appraiser in Vio- 
let Township and subsequently was elected 
sheriflf of Fairfield County. His administra- 
tion of this important office was so satisfactory 
to his fellow citizens who are law abiding, 
that he was reelected and served out two 
tenns. 

Mr. Kraner married Miss Emma M, 
Hempy, who was born in Fairfield County, 
and two children were born to them : Harry 
P. and Gale Irene. Mrs. Kraner is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

LYMAN HICKLE, a prosperous farmer 
and stock dealer of Bloom township, conduct- 
ing business from Canal Winchester, was born 
in Fairfield County, May 31, 1848, a son of 
J. M. and Sarah (Dawson) Hickle. The 
father, J. M. Hickle, was born in Fairfield 
County, O., July 29, 1843, and was married to 
Sarah Dawson April 13, 1845. He was a 
farmer and stock dealer and also served as 
county treasurer from 1880 to 1884. He died 
June 30, 1895. 

Lyman Hickle, the direct subject of this 



notice, was married February 15, 1872, to 
Mary C. Kemp. He and his wife are the par- 
ents of seven children. 

JAMES M. LANTZ, M. D., one of Lan- 
caster's younger professional men, who has 
been established in this city for four years and 
commands a good practice, was born July 11, 
1881, in Greene County, Pa., and is a son of 
George W. and Mary (Fanchill) Lantz. 

Both parents of Dr. Lantz were natives of 
Green County, Pa. In earlier years the father 
was a farmer but later went into the oil and 
coal business and was so engaged at the time 
of death, December 9, 19 10, at the age of 
sixty-seven years. The mother of Dr. Lantz 
passed away in August, 1888, survived by 
three children: Chandar R., who is a linotype 
operator, residing at Washington, Pa. ; Laura, 
who is the wife of William Longanecker, of 
Greene County, Pa. ; and James M. 

James M. Lantz is a graduate of several 
colleges including the University of West Vir- 
ginia, the Ohio Northern University at Ada, 
O., and Sterling Medical College, completing 
his course in the latter and receiving his de- 
gree with the class of 1908. He immediately 
located at Lancaster and has been successful 
along professional lines and has been wel- 
comed as a citizen and member of society. He 
is identified with the county and state medical 
organizations and keeps thoroughly informed 
concerning every advance made in medicine 
or surgery. 

Dr. Lantz was married July 10, 1909, to 
Miss Edna Axline, who is a daughter of Dr. 
J. H. and Martha Axline. They attend the 
Baptist church. He retains membership in the 
Alpha Kappa Kappa college fraternity. Al- 
though no active politician, he votes with the 
Democratic party. 



HK225-78 










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